Wood Burning Fires Need to Be Hot and Clean
Wood burning fires are not only comforting and mesmerising They're also an essential part of our wellbeing and health. But, they must be clean and hot to work effectively.
Unseasoned, or green, wood has high moisture content which makes it difficult to light and burn efficiently. Seasoned, or kiln dried wood has a lower moisture content and is easier to light and keep burning.
Efficient Combustion
A wood fire must be hot enough to push out moisture and reach temperatures above 540 deg F ( 800 deg F in ideal conditions) where the heat-producing secondary combustion process begins. This is the primary step to efficient combustion of the fuel and reducing pollutants, smoke, and creosote buildup in the flue.
It is important to note that the temperature required for secondary combustion varies with the type of fuel used and the conditions in the environment. The best way to limit the variation is to use well-seasoned firewood that has an average moisture content of less than 20%.
The quantity of air that is supplied to a fire will also have an important impact on the temperature and burning time. The greater the oxygen supply, the hotter a fire can burn and the shorter its burn time. A wood fire will produce less energy and burn slower when the air supply is limited.
To increase the time of burning and efficiency to maximize efficiency and burn time, a wood stove fireplace insert should be fitted with an adjustable air damper. The wide-open setting gives the fire all the oxygen it can get and quickly drain the fuel supply. A fire that is contained within a small space is less likely to spread.
A well-dried load of firewood is also essential to efficient wood burning. Freshly cut wood that isn't dried will contain high levels of water, making it difficult to burn. To ensure optimal performance it is recommended you use only wood that has been seasoned that has been stored outside for six to nine months.
Another thing to consider is the BTU content of various types of wood. For example white pine or spruce wood may be less expensive than eastern hardwoods like black locust and shagbark hickory, but the BTU values of the latter are much higher, meaning they will provide more heat for the same amount of wood burned. This is the reason it's important to consider your heating requirements and the cost of fuel when choosing your firewood.
Clean Burning
Wood smoke creates indoor air pollutants that irritate the lungs and trigger respiratory distress, especially for children and seniors. These pollutants include volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like formaldehyde and benzene, as well as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzo-apyrene, are carcinogenic. When firewood is smuggled into the air and smolders, volatile tars like creosote can also be released.
Smoke from poorly designed wood stoves and fire places can cause poor air quality outside, making it harder to see and causing photochemical smog. However, new, clean burning fireplaces and wood stoves equipped with modern technology for combustion, when properly used can significantly reduce these emissions.
Stage 1 - Moisture Vaporizes: As the log heats up it releases water vapor that escapes down the chimney flue. This uses up more energy than it would have when the log was dried to dry before burning. This wastes energy which could be used to heat your home.
In the flue, the vapors mix with carbon particles and form smoke. Smoke is one of the major contributors to particulate matter in the air and is one of the main sources of smog that we encounter on clear days.
Fireplaces and wood stoves that use clean burn technology, when utilized correctly, can dramatically reduce this issue by converting the logs into a charcoal state, which releases far less volatile gasses, and producing most of the energy in the log from usable heat.
Avoid using damp or sour wood for your fire as it is more difficult to burn and generates a lot more creosote than well-seasoned wood. Don't over-load your stove with soft and thin wood such as fir or pine It takes more energy to burn them and they create more smoke that can cause chimney fires.
Use a metal bucket to remove ashes from the stove, and wait for them to cool before handling them. Store or dispose of ashes correctly. They can re-ignite when exposed to water, and are hazardous in landfills. Instead, make sure to make use of them in your garden or in the home.
Properly conserving, securing and burning your wood correctly will save you money on fuel and keep your stove running efficiently. It is also crucial to regularly clean your chimney to get rid of creosote and other particles as well as to avoid chimney fires and maintain safe operation.
Safety
It's hard to beat a warm fire on a chilly winter night however, safety precautions must be taken. If fires are constructed incorrectly and left unattended or burnt the risk of dangerous fumes entering the home. Creosote may also build up in the chimney. These deposits can clog the flue, inhibit airflow and cause your wood stove or furnace to run less efficiently.
Never burn treated or painted wood, household garbage paper, rags, and other combustible substances in your wood-burning stove or fireplace. They can emit toxic fumes, such as carbon dioxide and create toxic gasses. Don't use flammable liquids to start fires. Gasoline, lighter fluid and kerosene can cause chimney fires which can increase emissions and produce toxic creosote.
Keep combustible materials, such as furniture, curtains and toys, a safe distance from your stove or fireplace. Never hang conservatory wood burner on or near your wood-burning fireplace. Make sure your children are aware that the fireplace is hot and should not be touched.
Only make use of seasoned wood for your stove or fireplace. The wood that has been seasoned has been dried during the summer months to lessen the moisture. Wet woods emit more smoke and creosote, whereas seasoned logs are more efficient and cleaner. The wood that has been seasoned is darker and has cracks along the ends of the grain and sounds hollow when you tap it. Store your wood outside, neatly stacking them with the top covered but allowing air circulation around them.
The appliances that are overloaded generate more smoke, but less warmth. In best wood burning stove , overloaded fires can produce unsafe carbon monoxide levels. If you own an older appliance that has an insulated metal liner, check the liner on a regular basis for signs of wear and tear that could cause a chimney fire.
The EPA recommends reducing smoke inside your home by using dry, split and well-seasoned wood and building a hot fire using small pieces. Avoid using softer woods such as pine, which are a great starter material to get your fire going but shouldn't be used for anything other than. These soft woods contain sap and resin which is a result of burning, and deposits excessive creosote inside the chimney.
Maintenance
A warm fire in a wood burning fireplace is a great way to warm up during the cold winter nights. But, it is essential to maintain your fireplace in order to ensure that you receive the maximum benefit from your fire. Regularly cleaning and inspecting your fireplace is the best way to prevent problems that could develop. This prevents creosote buildup and keeps the chimney clean for maximum efficiency.
Creosote is a dark, crusty flammable material that forms in the flue when wood doesn't completely burn. If a substantial amount of creosote builds up it can cause chimney fires which are the second-leading cause of house fires in the United States. The failure of a fire to completely burn can be caused by a variety of factors such as dampers that are not properly sealed or cracks in the chimney's liner and the absence of regular cleaning and removal of ash.
Creosote can build up excessively when wood isn't properly seasoned. This is because nearly half the weight of a piece of wood is water. When the fire is burning the water boils and releases heat but it also consumes energy during the process. The water vapor that is created then condenses into creosote or is released into the air as part of smoke.
Soot is another noxious byproduct of burning wood. Soot is more pliable than creosote, but it can adhere to the walls of your fireplace, and block air circulation. It can also be a fire risk because it ignites easily when exposed to combustible gases.
Take the ashes out of your fireplace and place them in an ash bucket made from metal. Keep it outside on a non-flammable surface. The ashes can also be used as sources of nutrients for plants Don't forget to spread them out across the lawn!
It is recommended that a Certified Regency Dealer inspect your fireplace and chimney regularly. The technician will look for cracks, creosote and soot levels as well as a properly shut damper and the condition of the catalyst. If you have a two-stage chimney that has an air tube, the catalyst should be removed and checked visually for obstructions. Check your user manual for directions on how to accomplish this for your particular unit.