Wood Burning Fires Need to Be Hot and Clean
Wood-burning fires aren't only comforting and mesmerising They're also an essential aspect of our wellbeing and health. They need to be warm and clean to function.
Green, or unseasoned, wood is very moist which makes it difficult to burn and light efficiently. Kiln dried or seasoned wood has a lower moisture content, making it easier to ignite and maintain a fire.
Efficient Combustion
A wood fire needs to be hot enough to drive out moisture and reach temperatures of 540 degrees F ( 800 deg F in ideal conditions) at which the secondary combustion process begins. This is the most important step to efficient combustion of fuel and minimizing pollution and smoke that enters the flue.
It is important to know that the temperature needed for secondary combustion depends on the type of fuel used and the surrounding conditions. Use seasoned firewood that has less than 20% to minimize these variations.
The quantity of air being supplied to a fire can also have a significant impact on its heat output and burning time. The more oxygen available the hotter a fire can burn and the shorter its burn time. A wood fire will produce less energy and burn at a slower rate when the air supply is slowed.
A fireplace or wood stove insert with an adjustable air damper can increase the time to burn and efficiency. The wide-open setting allows the fire to get all the oxygen it can get and will quickly draw down the fuel supply. A fire that is contained in a small space is less likely to spread.
A well-dried firewood load is also crucial for efficient wood burning. When wood is freshly cut and hasn't had the chance to dry, it will have high levels of water, which may make it difficult for logs to burn. For optimal performance it is recommended that you only use seasoned wood that has been stored outdoors for six to nine months.
Another factor to consider is the BTU content of different types of wood. White pine and spruce could be less expensive than eastern hardwoods, such as shagbark, hickory and black locust, but their BTU values are greater. This means they'll produce more heat for the same amount of wood. It's important to consider your heating needs and fuel costs when selecting your firewood.
Clean Burning
Wood smoke can create indoor air pollution, which can irritate lungs and cause respiratory discomfort in senior citizens and children. These pollutants comprise volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like formaldehyde and benzene, as well as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzo-a-pyrene, which can cause cancer. Volatile tars (such as creosote) are also released when firewood is burned.
Smoke from poorly-designed wood fireplaces and stoves can cause poor air quality in the outside by making it harder to see and causing photochemical pollution. However, new, clean burning fireplaces and wood stoves equipped with modern technology for combustion, when used correctly, can greatly reduce the emission.
Stage 1 - Vaporization of moisture: As the log heats it releases water vapour which escapes through the chimney flue. This consumes more energy than it would when the log was dried to dry before burning. This is a waste of energy that could be used to heat your home.
In the flue, these vapors combine with carbon particles to create smoke. Smoke is one of the major contributors to particulate matter in the air and is among the major sources of smog we encounter on clear days.
Wood stoves and fireplaces with clean burn technology, if properly used, can greatly reduce this problem by converting the wood to the state of charcoal which releases much less volatile gases, and producing most of the energy contained in the log from usable heat.
Avoid using damp, sour or decayed wood to light your fire. It's harder to burn and creates more creosote. Also, small woodburners overburden your stove with thin and soft wood such as fir or pine It takes more energy to burn them and they also produce more smoke which can cause chimney fires.
Use a bucket made of metal to remove ashes from the stove, and wait for them to cool before handling them. Store or dispose of ashes correctly. They could ignite again if exposed to water and can be hazardous in landfills. Use them in your garden or at home.
Properly conserving, securing and burning your wood properly will save you money on fuel and will keep your stove working efficiently. It is also essential to clean your chimney regularly to remove deposited creosote and particles and also to prevent chimney fires and maintain safe operation.
Safety
There's nothing better than a warm fire to warm up chilly winter nights, but the right safety precautions are required. If fires are not properly constructed or tended to, or left unattended, harmful fumes could be released into the home and dangerous creosote deposits can build up within the chimney. These deposits can block the flue and decrease the flow of air, making your furnace or wood stove to not work as efficiently.
Never burn treated or painted wood, household waste paper, rags, and other combustible materials in your wood-burning fireplace or stove. They emit toxic fumes, such as carbon dioxide and create toxic gases. Avoid using flammable liquids as a fire starter. Kerosene, gasoline and lighter fluids can increase emissions, cause toxic creosote, and even cause chimney fires.
Keep flammable materials like furniture, curtains, and even toys away from your stove or fireplace. Don't hang clothing close to or on the fireplace that is burning wood. Children should be taught that the fireplace is hot and should not be touched.
Make sure to use only wood that has been seasoned for your stove or fireplace. Seasoned wood is dried throughout the summer to decrease the moisture content. The wood that is damp produces more smoke and creosote while seasoned logs burn more cleanly and more efficiently. Wood that is seasoned looks darker and has cracks in the end grain, and is hollow when tapped. Store your logs outside, neatly stacked and with the top covered but allowing air circulation to them.
Be aware not to overload your fireplace or stove because overloaded appliances produce more smoke and less heat. In addition, overloaded fires can produce dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. If you own an older appliance with a metal liner, check it regularly for indications of wear. This could lead to a chimney fire.
The EPA recommends reducing smoke in your home by using dry, well-seasoned, split and dry wood, and then constructing a warm fire with small pieces. Avoid soft woods such as pine. very small wood burning stove is a great starter material for a fire, but shouldn't be used beyond that. These softer woods contain sap and resin, which burns, if burned, will create large amounts of creosote into the chimney.
Maintenance
A warm fire in a wood burning fireplace is a great way to enjoy the cold winter nights. It is crucial to keep your fireplace in good condition to get the most enjoyment of it. Regular cleaning and inspection of your fireplace is the best way to prevent problems that could arise. This prevents the build-up of creosote and helps keep the chimney clean to ensure maximum efficiency.
If wood doesn't completely burn it forms creosote in the chimney. When a lot of creosote is accumulated, it can lead to chimney fires. They are the second most frequent cause of fires in homes across the United States. The failure of a fire to fully burn is caused by a variety of reasons including dampers that aren't properly closed or cracks in the chimney's liner, and a lack or regular cleaning and ash removal.
Wood that is not properly seasoned can cause the buildup of creosote in excess. This is due to the fact that up to half the weight of a piece wood is water. When the fire is burning, this water boils and releases heat but it also consumes energy in the process. The water vapor produced is then absorbed into creosote and is released into the air as part of smoke.
Another harmful byproduct of burning wood is soot. Soot is softer than creosote, however it can adhere to the walls of your fireplace and impede air circulation. It can also be an ignition risk since it ignites easily when exposed to gasses that are combustible.
You should remove the ashes and place them in a metal ash bucket that you keep outside on a nonflammable surface. Don't forget that the dust is a fantastic source of nutrients for your plants. Spread them around in your yard!
It is recommended to make sure that your chimney and fireplace are inspected by a Regency Dealer certified. The technician can check for cracks, creosote levels, soot levels, a properly shut damper, and the condition of the catalyst. If you have a double-stage chimney that includes an air tube, you should remove the catalyst and visually inspected for blockages. Check your user's manual to find out the procedure for your particular unit.