Wood Burning Fires Need to Be Hot and Clean
Wood-burning fires aren't only relaxing and captivating They're also an essential part of our wellbeing and health. They need to be warm and clean to function.
Green, or unseasoned, wood is very moist that makes it challenging to light and burn efficiently. The seasoned, or kiln dried wood has a low moisture content and is more easy to ignite and burn for longer.
Efficient Combustion
A wood fire has to be sufficiently hot to draw out moisture and reach temperatures of 540 deg F ( 900 deg F in ideal conditions) where the heat-producing secondary combustion process begins. This is the most crucial step to efficiently burning the fuel and reducing pollutants smoke, creosote, and accumulation in the flue.
It is important to note that the temperature needed for secondary combustion varies with the type of fuel and the conditions of the environment. The best way to limit these variations is by using well-seasoned firewood that has an average moisture content of less than 20%.
The amount of air supplied to a fire can also have a significant impact on its temperature and burning time. The more oxygen available, the hotter the fire will burn. If the supply of air is limited, however, a wood fire produces less heat and burn slower.
A fireplace or wood stove insert fitted with an adjustable air damper will maximize the time to burn and efficiency. A wide-open setting permits the fire to use up all of its available oxygen and will quickly use up the supply of usable fuel. This is not the case with an area that is limited to a limited area, in which the fire cannot expand as far.
A firewood load that has been properly dried is vital for efficient wood burning. If wood is cut fresh and hasn't had the chance to dry out it will have a high water content that could make it difficult for logs to burn. For optimal performance, it is recommended that you use only seasoned wood that has been stored outdoors for six to nine months.
Another factor to consider is the BTU content of various types of wood. For example, white pine or spruce trees may be cheaper than eastern hardwoods such as black locust or shagbark, but the BTU values of the latter are higher, which means they offer more heat for the same amount of wood. It is crucial to take into account your heating needs and fuel costs when choosing your firewood.
Clean Burning
Wood smoke can cause indoor air pollutants, which can cause irritation to the lungs and respiratory distress in seniors and children. These pollutants include volatile aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) like benzo-a pyrene and formaldehyde, as well as volatile organic compounds such as benzene. When firewood is smuggled into the air and smolders, volatile tars like creosote can also be released.
Smoke from poorly-designed wood fireplaces and stoves can contribute to poor air quality outside by decreasing visibility and causing photochemical pollution. However, new clean burning wood stoves and fireplaces that incorporate modern combustion technology when used correctly, can greatly reduce these emissions.
Stage 1 - Vaporization of moisture: As the wood heats it releases water vapour that escapes through the chimney flue. This uses up more energy than when the log was dried to dry before burning. It also wastes energy that could be put to use heating your home.
These vapors mix in the flue with carbon particles, resulting in smoke. Smoke is one of the major sources of particulate matter and smog that is found in the air.
If properly used when used correctly, wood stoves and fireplaces that utilize clean burn technology can reduce this problem significantly by burning the logs into a charcoal-like state that releases less volatile gasses and generates the majority of the energy produced by the log as usable heat.
Avoid using damp or sour wood for your fire as it is more difficult to burn and produces a lot more creosote than well-seasoned wood. Also, don't overload your stove with soft and thin wood such as fir or pine It takes more energy to burn them and they create more smoke, which can lead to chimney fires.
Use a metal bucket to scoop up ashes from the stove, and wait until they cool before handling them. Be sure to keep them in a safe place or dispose of them in a safe manner - ashes can reignite when exposed to water, and they pose a risk in landfills. Instead, ensure that you utilize them in your garden or at the house.
Properly storing, seasoning and burning your wood correctly will save you money on fuel and will keep your stove functioning efficiently. Cleaning your chimney regularly is crucial to get rid of creosote, particulates and other deposited matter. This can also help prevent chimney fires as well as ensure safe operation.
Safety
It's difficult to beat a warm fireplace on a cold winter night, but precautions for safety must be taken. If fires are not constructed correctly or left unattended, or if they are burned and a dangerous gas can be released into the home. Creosote can also build up in the chimney. These deposits can clog up the chimney and restrict the flow of air, making your furnace or wood stove to not work as effectively.
Do not burn treated, painted, or household waste in your wood-burning stove or fireplace. They release toxic fumes like carbon dioxide, and release toxic gasses. Also, do not use the flammable liquids to ignite fires. Gasoline, lighter fluid, and kerosene could cause fires in chimneys that can cause emissions to rise and produce toxic creosote.
Keep combustibles, such as furniture curtains, toys, and other items at a safe distance from your fireplace or stove. Do not hang clothes near or on your fireplace with wood burning. Make sure your children know that the fireplace is extremely hot and should not be touched.
Only use seasoned wood in your stove or fireplace. Seasoned wood is dried through the summer to reduce moisture content. Woods that are damp emit more smoke and creosote, whereas mature logs are more efficient and clear. Seasoned wood is darker and has cracks along the grain's end, and sounds hollow when you tap it. Place look at here and stack them neatly, with the top covered and allowing air to circulate around them.
Be careful not to over-load your stove or fireplace as appliances that are overloaded produce more smoke and less heat. Overloaded fires can also generate unsafe carbon monoxide levels. If you have an older appliance with a metal lining, inspect the liner frequently for signs of wear and tear that can cause an explosion in the chimney.
The EPA suggests using split, dry, and well-seasoned wood to help reduce smoke in your home. Make a fire by using small pieces. Avoid using soft woods such as pine. Pine is a good starter material for a fire, but shouldn't be used beyond that. These woods with resin and sap, which, when burnt, deposits too much creosote in the chimney.
Maintenance
Warming up in front of a wood-burning fireplace is a wonderful way to spend winter evenings. But, it is essential to maintain your fireplace in order to ensure that you reap the maximum benefits from your fire. Regular inspections and cleaning of your fireplace will help you to avoid any problems. This prevents the accumulation of creosote buildup, and also keeps the chimney clean to ensure maximum efficiency.
If wood doesn't completely burn, creosote forms in the chimney. When a large amount of creosote is accumulated, it can lead to chimney fires. These are the second most frequent cause of house fires across the United States. The failure of a fire to burn completely can be caused by a variety of factors including dampers that aren't properly closed and cracks in the chimney's liner, and a lack or regular cleaning and removal of ash.
Creosote can accumulate excessively when wood isn't properly seasoned. Water could comprise up to half of the weight of a wood piece. During the fire, this water boils and releases heat but it also consumes energy during the process. The water vapor that is produced is then absorbed into creosote or is released into the air as part of smoke.
Soot is another noxious product of burning wood. Soot is softer than creosote, but it can stick to the walls of your fireplace and impede air flow. It can also be an ignition risk since it can ignite easily when exposed to gasses that are combustible.
Remove the ashes from your fireplace and store them in an ash container made of metal. Keep it outside on a non-flammable surface. Don't forget that remains of the ashes are a good source of nutrients for your plants. Spread them out in your yard!
It is recommended to 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, creosote and soot levels, a properly shut damper and also the condition of your catalyst. If you have a two-stage chimney that includes an air tube, the catalyst should be removed and visually inspected for obstructions. Refer to the user manual to learn the procedure for your fireplace.