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 part of our wellbeing and health. They must be hot and clean in order to be effective.
Green, or unseasoned, wood is very moist which makes it difficult to burn and light efficiently. Kiln dried or seasoned wood has a low moisture content, making it much easier to light and maintain a fire.
Efficient Combustion
A wood fire must be hot enough to drive out moisture and reach temperatures above 540 degrees F ( 900 degrees F in ideal conditions) in ideal conditions) where the secondary combustion process starts. This is the primary step in efficiently burning the fuel and minimizing pollutants smoke, creosote, and accumulation in the flue.
It is important to note that the temperature needed for secondary combustion is dependent on the type of fuel and the conditions of the environment. Use seasoned firewood that has an average moisture content of less than 20% to limit these variations.
Additionally, the amount of air supplied to the fire can greatly affect its heat output and time to burn. The more oxygen that is available, the more hot the fire will burn. When the air supply is not sufficient, a wood fire produces less heat and burn at a slower rate.
To ensure maximum burn time and efficiency To maximize the efficiency and time of burn, a wood stove or fireplace insert must be equipped with an adjustable air damper. A wide-open setting permits the fire to consume all the oxygen available and will quickly exhaust the fuel that is usable. This is not the case with the fire that is restricted to a small area in which the fire cannot expand as much.
A well-dried load of firewood is also essential for efficient wood burning. Wood that hasn't been allowed to dry will have a high water content which makes it difficult to burn. It is recommended to only use wood that is seasoned and has been stored outdoors for between six and nine months to ensure optimal performance.
Another consideration is the BTU content of different kinds of wood. For example, white pine or spruce trees may be less expensive than eastern hardwoods like shagbark hickory and black locust however, the BTU values of the latter are much more, meaning they offer more heat for the same amount of wood. This is the reason it's important to think about your heating needs and the cost of fuel when choosing your firewood.
Clean Burning
Wood smoke creates indoor air pollutants that irritate the lungs and can cause respiratory distress, particularly for children and seniors. These pollutants comprise volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as formaldehyde and benzene, as well as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, like benzo-a-pyrene, that are carcinogenic. When firewood is burned, volatile tars such as creosote also get released.
Smoke from old, poorly-designed fireplaces and wood stoves can contribute to poor outdoor air quality by decreasing visibility and causing photochemical smog. When used correctly however modern combustion technology in new wood stoves that burn clean and in fire places can help reduce the emissions.
Stage 1 - The vaporization of moisture: As the wood heats, it releases water vapour which escapes through the chimney flue. This consumes more energy than it would if the log was seasoned to dry before burning. cheap wood burning stoves is a waste of energy which could be used to heat your home.
In the flue, these vapors mix with carbon particles and form smoke. Smoke is one of the major contributors to particulate matter in the air and is among the main sources of smog we encounter on clear days.
When used correctly Wood stoves and fireplaces using clean burn technology can lessen the risk of this issue by burning the logs into charcoal-like states that releases less volatile gasses and produces most of the energy from the log as usable heat.
Avoid using damp, sour or decayed wood to ignite your fire. It's harder to burn and produces more creosote. Don't over-load your stove with soft and thin wood such as fir or pine as it requires 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 until they cool before handling them. Be sure to store or dispose of them correctly since ashes could ignite when exposed to water, and they pose a risk in landfills. Make use of them in your garden or at your home.
Properly storing, seasoning and burning your wood will save you money on fuel and ensure that your stove is working efficiently. It is also essential to regularly clean your chimney to remove deposited creosote and particles and also to prevent chimney fires and ensure the safety of the operation.
Safety
It's difficult to beat a warm fire on a chilly winter night However, precautions for safety should be taken. When fires are built incorrectly, left unattended or burned and a dangerous gas can be released into the home. Creosote also builds up in the chimney. These deposits could block the chimney and restrict the flow of air, making your furnace or wood stove not to work as efficiently.
Never burn painted or treated wood, household waste paper, rags, and other combustible materials in your wood-burning fireplace or stove. They can release toxic fumes like carbon dioxide, and release toxic gases. Wood burner clearance sale use flammable liquids to start fires. Gasoline, kerosene and lighter fluid can increase emissions, cause toxic creosote, and even cause chimney fires.
Keep combustible materials like furniture, curtains, and even toys away from your fireplace or stove. Never hang clothing near or on the fireplace that is burning wood. Make sure your children are aware that the fireplace is extremely hot and should not be touched.
Only use seasoned wood in your fireplace or stove. Seasoned wood has been dried during the summer months to reduce the moisture content. The wood that is damp produces more smoke and creosote whereas seasoned logs burn much more cleanly and more efficiently. Seasoned wood looks darker and cracks appear in the end grain and sounds hollow when tapped. Place your logs outdoors and stack them neatly with the top covered, but allowing air to circulate around them.
Be careful not to over-load your fireplace or stove, as overloaded appliances generate more smoke and produce less heat. Overloaded fires may also produce dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. If you have an older appliance that has a lining made of metal, you should inspect the liner regularly for signs of wear and tear that can cause an explosion in the chimney.
The EPA suggests reducing the amount of smoke in your home by using dry, split and well-seasoned wood, and then constructing a warm fire with small pieces. Avoid soft woods such as pine. Pine is a great starter material for a fire, but shouldn't be used for more than. These softer woods have sap and resin which, when burnt, deposits excessive creosote into the chimney.
Maintenance
Warming up in front of a fireplace with wood is a great way to spend winter evenings. It is crucial to maintain your fireplace to ensure that you get the most benefits from your fire. Regular inspections and cleaning of your fireplace will help you to avoid any problems. This prevents creosote buildup and keeps the chimney clear for maximum efficiency.
If wood doesn't completely burn and creosote builds up in the chimney. If a significant amount of creosote is accumulated, it can cause chimney fires, which are the second most common cause of house fires in the United States. A number of issues can contribute to a fire's failure to fully burn, such as dampers that are not properly sealed, cracks in the chimney liner and the absence of regular cleaning and removal of ash.
Creosote can build up in large amounts when wood isn't properly seasoned. Water can make up half of the weight of a wooden piece. In the course of a fire it boils and releases heat, but it also consumes energy during the process. The water vapor resulting from the process is then absorbed as creosote or released into the atmosphere as part of the smoke.
Soot is a different harmful product of burning wood. Soot, though less dense than creosote, is able to block airflow and adhere to walls. It is also an hazard to fire because it easily ignites when exposed to gasses that ignite.
Take the ashes out of your fireplace and store them in an ash container made of metal. Keep it outside on a non-flammable area. Don't forget that the ashes are a great source of nutrients for your plants. Spread them all over your backyard!
It is recommended that a Certified Regency Dealer inspect your chimney and fireplace on a regular basis. The technician can check for cracks, creosote and soot levels and a damper that is shut properly and the condition of the catalyst. If you have a two-stage fireplace that has an air tube, the catalyst must be removed and visually inspected for blockages. Refer to your user manual for instructions on how to accomplish this for your particular unit.