Wood Burning Fires Need to Be Hot and Clean
The warmth and ambience of a wood-burning fireplace is not just soothing and enchanting but also essential to our health and well-being. They must be hot and clean to be effective.
Green wood, or unseasoned wood, has an excessive amount of moisture, making it difficult to ignite and burn efficiently. Kiln dried, or seasoned wood has low moisture content and is more easy to ignite and keep burning.
Efficient Combustion
The wood fire should be sufficiently hot to eliminate moisture and reach temperatures over 540 degrees F. The process of producing heat in secondary combustion begins at 900 degrees F (in ideal conditions). This is the first step to efficiently burning fuel while reducing emissions and smoke in the flue.
It is important to note that the temperature required for secondary combustion is dependent on the type of fuel used and the conditions of the environment. The best method to reduce the variations is to use seasoned firewood with a moisture content below 20%.
The quantity of air delivered to a fire will also have an important impact on the heat output and burning time. The greater the oxygen supply, the more hot a fire will burn and the shorter its burn duration. A wood fire will produce less energy and burn slower when the air supply is restricted.
To ensure maximum burn time 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 allows the fire all the oxygen it needs and will quickly exhaust the fuel supply. A fire that is contained within an area of limited size is less likely to spread.
A firewood load that has been dried properly is essential for efficient wood burning. Wood that isn't dried will contain high levels of water, making it difficult to burn. It is recommended to only use well-seasoned firewood that has been stored outdoors for six to nine months for the best performance.
Another factor to consider is the BTU content of various types of wood. For example white pine or spruce trees might be less expensive than eastern hardwoods like black locust and shagbark hickory, but the BTU values of the latter are much higher, which means they provide more heat for the same amount of wood burned. This is why it's crucial to consider your heating requirements and the cost of fuel when choosing your firewood.
Clean Burning
Wood smoke creates indoor air pollutants that can irritate the lungs and can cause respiratory distress, especially for children and seniors. These pollutants include volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as formaldehyde and benzene, as well as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, such as benzo-apyrene, are carcinogenic. When firewood is smuggled into the air the volatile tars like creosote can also be released.
Smoke from older, poorly-designed fireplaces and wood stoves could contribute to poor outdoor air quality, decreasing visibility and causing photochemical smog. However, new clean burning wood stoves and fireplaces equipped with modern technology for combustion, when properly used can significantly reduce these emissions.
Stage 1 - Vaporization of moisture: As the log gets warmer it releases water vapour that escapes through the chimney flue. This is more energy-intensive than if the log had been dried prior to burning. This wastes energy which could be used to warm your home.
In the flue, the vapors mix with carbon particles to create smoke. Smoke is among the main sources of particulate matter and smog that is found in the air.
Fireplaces and wood stoves that use clean burn technology, if used correctly, can significantly reduce the risk of this by burning the logs to charcoal state, which releases far less volatile gases, as well as producing most of the energy contained in the log from usable heat.
Avoid using damp or sour wood to fuel your fire as it is more difficult to burn and generates lots of creosote compared to well-seasoned wood. Don't over-load your stove with thin and soft wood like pine or fir It takes more energy to burn them, and they create more smoke that can cause chimney fires.
Use a bucket made of steel to scoop up ashes from the stove, and always wait until they cool before handling them. Make sure you store or dispose of them correctly - ashes can reignite when exposed to water, and they pose a risk in landfills. Instead, small woodburners should use them around your garden or at the home.
Properly conserving, securing and burning your wood correctly will save you money on fuel and will keep your stove running efficiently. Cleaning your chimney regularly is important to remove creosote, particulates, and other debris that is deposited. This can also stop chimney fires as well as keep your chimney operating safely.
Safety
There's nothing better than a warm fire to warm up chilly winter evenings, however proper safety precautions are essential. When fires aren't properly built, burned or left unattended, dangerous fumes could be released into the home and dangerous creosote accumulations can form within the chimney. These deposits could block the flue and decrease airflow, causing your furnace or wood stove not to function as effectively.
Never burn treated or painted garbage in your wood-burning stove or fireplace. They produce noxious gases and can release toxic fumes, like carbon monoxide. Also, avoid using explosive liquids to ignite fires. Gasoline, lighter fluid and kerosene can cause chimney fires that can cause emissions to rise and produce toxic creosote.
Keep combustible materials like furniture, curtains and toys, at a safe distance from your fireplace or stove. Do not hang clothes on or near your wood burning fireplace. Children should be taught that the fireplace is very hot and shouldn't be touched.
Only make use of seasoned wood for your fireplace or stove. Seasoned wood is dried during the summer months to reduce the moisture content. Wood that is wet produces more smoke and creosote however, seasoned logs burn more cleanly and more efficiently. The wood that is seasoned is darker and has cracks along the grain's end, and sounds hollow when you tap it. Keep your logs outside, neatly stacking them with the top covered, but allowing air circulation around them.
Overloaded appliances produce more smoke and less warmth. In addition, overloaded fires can produce dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. If you own an older appliance with an aluminum liner, be sure to check it frequently for indications of wear. This can lead to a chimney fire.
The EPA recommends using dry, split, and well-seasoned wood to reduce smoke in your home. Build a hot fire by using small pieces. Avoid soft woods such as pine. Pine is a great fuel for the fire, but it shouldn't be used more than. These soft woods contain resin and sap that, when burnt, deposits too much creosote in the chimney.
Maintenance
A warm flame in a wood burning fireplace is a great method to relax during the cold winter nights. It is important to keep your fireplace in good condition to get the most out of it. Regular cleaning and inspections of your fireplace can help you to avoid any problems. This prevents creosote buildup and helps keep the chimney clean for maximum efficiency.
When wood doesn't burn completely and creosote builds up in the chimney. When a lot of creosote builds up, it can lead to chimney fires. They are the second leading cause of house fires across the United States. The failure of a fireplace to fully burn is caused by a variety of causes, including improperly closed dampers, cracks in the liner of the chimney as well as a lack of regular cleaning and ash removal.
Wood that is not properly seasoned can cause an excessive buildup of creosote. This is because up to half of the weight of a piece of wood is water. This water boils during the fire and releases heat. It also consumes energy. The water vapor that is produced is then absorbed into creosote and is released into the air as part of smoke.
Soot is a different harmful byproduct of burning wood. Soot is softer than creosote, but it can stick to the walls of your fireplace and impede air flow. It could also pose an ignition risk since it is easily ignited when exposed to combustible gasses.
It is recommended to remove the ashes and store them in a metal ash container, which you should keep outside on a nonflammable surface. Don't forget that remains of the ashes are a good source of nutrients for your plants. Spread them out in your backyard!
Make sure you ensure that your chimney and fireplace are examined by a Regency Dealer certified. The technician will be able to check for cracks in the chimney, soot and creosote levels, a properly shut damper, and the condition of your catalyst. If you have a double-stage fireplace that has an air tube, you must have the catalyst removed and visually checked for blockages. Consult your user manual to learn the procedure for your particular unit.