Wood Burning Fires Need to Be Hot and Clean
Wood-burning fires aren't just a relaxing and enchanting experience they're also a vital element of our health and wellbeing. They need to be warm and clean in order to work.
Green wood, or unseasoned wood is characterized by a high moisture content, making it difficult to ignite and burn effectively. Seasoned, or kiln dried wood has a low moisture content and is more easy to light and keep burning.
Efficient Combustion
The wood fire should be sufficiently hot to eliminate moisture and reach temperatures of over 540 degrees F. 800 deg F in ideal conditions) at which the secondary combustion process begins. This is the most crucial step to efficient combustion of the fuel and reducing pollutants smoke, creosote, and buildup in the flue.
It is important to keep in mind that the temperature needed for secondary combustion varies with the type of fuel and the conditions in the environment. The best way to minimize the variations is to use well-seasoned firewood that has an average moisture content of less than 20 percent.
In addition, the amount of air supplied to a fire can significantly impact its heat output and burn time. The greater the oxygen supply, the more hot a fire will burn and the shorter its burn duration. A wood fire will generate less energy and burn slower when the air supply is restricted.
To ensure maximum burn time and efficiency, a wood stove or fireplace insert must be equipped with an adjustable air damper. The wide-open setting gives the fire all the oxygen it needs and will quickly drain the fuel supply. A fire that is contained in the confines of a small area is less likely to spread.
A well-dried load of firewood is also crucial for efficient wood burning. When wood is cut just recently and hasn't had time to dry out, it will have high water content that could make it difficult for logs to burn. For optimal performance, it is recommended that you only use seasoned wood that has been stored outside for six to nine month.
The BTU content of wood is a different factor to consider. For example white pine or spruce trees might be less expensive than eastern hardwoods, such as shagbark hickory and black locust however 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 take into consideration your heating requirements and the fuel costs when selecting your firewood.
Clean Burning
Wood smoke creates indoor air pollutants that irritate the lungs and cause respiratory distress, especially for seniors 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 burnt.
Smoke from poorly-designed wood fireplaces and stoves can contribute to poor air quality in the outside by reducing visibility and contributing photochemical pollution. However, new clean burning fireplaces and wood stoves with modern combustion technology, when used properly, can greatly reduce the emissions.
Stage 1 - The vaporization of moisture: As the log heats it releases water vapour which escapes through the chimney flue. This requires more energy than if the log was dried prior to burning. It also consumes energy that could be put to use warming your home.
These vapors combine in the flue with carbon particles, resulting in smoke. Smoke is one of the main sources of particulate matter and smog in the air.
Fireplaces and wood stoves equipped with clean burn technology, if utilized correctly, can dramatically reduce the risk of this by converting the wood to charcoal state which releases much less volatile gases, and producing the majority of the energy in the log from usable heat.
Avoid using damp, sour or rotten wood to ignite your fire. It's harder to burn and generates more creosote. Also, don't overload your stove with thin and soft wood like pine or fir It takes more energy to burn them and they also produce more smoke which can cause chimney fires.
Always wait until the ashes have cooled before handling them. Be sure to store or dispose of them correctly - ashes can reignite in the presence of water and they pose a risk in landfills. Use them in your garden or at home instead.
Storing, seasoning and properly burning your wood will help you save money and ensure your stove runs efficiently. Cleaning your chimney on a regular basis is crucial to get rid of creosote and particulates as well as other deposited matter. This can also stop chimney fires as well as ensure safe operation.
Safety
There's nothing like a warm fire to while away chilly winter nights, but the right safety precautions are necessary. When fires aren't properly built or burned, or left unattended, harmful fumes can be released into the home, and potentially dangerous creosote deposits can build up inside the chimney. These deposits could block the flue and reduce airflow, causing your wood stove or furnace not to work as efficiently.
Do not burn treated, painted, or household waste in your wood-burning oven or fireplace. They could release toxic fumes like carbon dioxide and produce toxic gasses. Do not use flammable liquids as a fire starter. Gasoline, lighter fluid, and kerosene can cause fires in chimneys that can cause emissions to rise and create toxic creosote.
Keep flammable materials like furniture, curtains, and even toys away from your fireplace or stove. Don't hang clothes near your fireplace that is wood burning. Children should be taught that the fireplace is extremely hot and shouldn't be touched.
Only make use of seasoned wood for your stove or fireplace. Seasoned wood is dried throughout the summer to reduce moisture content. Wet woods emit more smoke and creosote whereas seasoned logs are more efficient and cleaner. Seasoned wood looks darker, has cracks in the end grain, and makes a hollow sound when tapped. Store your logs outdoors stacked neatly with the top covered and allowing air to circulate around them.
Be aware not to over-load your fireplace or stove, as overloaded appliances generate more smoke and less heat. 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 regularly for signs of wear. This could lead to an explosion in the chimney.
The EPA recommends reducing smoke in your home by using dry, well-seasoned, split and dry wood and constructing a hot fire with small pieces. Avoid using softer woods such as pine, which are good starting material to get your fire up and running however shouldn't be used for anything other than. These softer woods contain sap and resin, which when burned, create excessive creosote in the chimney.
Maintenance
A warm flame in a wood burning fireplace is the perfect way to warm up during the cold nights of winter. It is essential to maintain your fireplace in order to get the most enjoyment of it. Regular cleaning and inspections of your fireplace can help you to avoid any problems. This prevents the build-up of creosote and keeps the chimney clear for maximum efficiency.
Creosote is a dark, crusty flammable material that forms in the flue when wood doesn't completely burn. If a significant amount of creosote accumulates, it can cause chimney fires which are the second leading cause of house fires in the United States. The failure of a fireplace to fully burn is caused by a variety of reasons including dampers that aren't properly closed and cracks in the liner of the chimney and the absence of regular cleaning and ash removal.
Creosote may build up excessively when wood isn't properly prepared. Water can comprise half of the weight of a wood piece. When the fire is burning the water boils and releases heat, but it also consumes energy during the process. The water vapor created then condenses into creosote, or is released into the air as a part of smoke.
Another harmful byproduct of burning wood is soot. Soot is softer than creosote, but it can cling to the walls of your fireplace and block air flow. It could also pose a fire risk because it can ignite easily when exposed to combustible gases.
It is recommended to remove the ashes and store them in a metal ash bucket that you keep outside on a nonflammable surface. The Ash can also be used as an energy source for plants So don't forget to spread them out across the lawn!
Wood Burning Stoves Fireplaces & Stoves is recommended that a Certified Regency Dealer inspect your chimney and fireplace on a regular basis. The technician can look for cracks, creosote and soot levels and a damper that is shut properly and the condition of the catalyst. If you have a double-stage fireplace with an air tube, you should remove the catalyst and visually inspected for obstructions. Consult your user's manual for directions on how to do this for your particular unit.