Wood Burning Fires Need to Be Hot and Clean
The warmth and ambience of a wood-burning fireplace is not only soothing and mesmerizing but is also vital to our health and well-being. But, they have to be clean and hot in order to work effectively.
Green, or unseasoned wood has a high moisture content that makes it challenging to light and burn efficiently. The seasoned, or kiln dried wood has low moisture content and is easier to ignite and keep burning.
Efficient Combustion
The fire in the wood must be sufficiently hot to eliminate moisture and reach temperatures of over 540 degrees F. The heat-producing process of secondary combustion begins at around 900 degrees F (in ideal conditions). made a post is the most important step in efficiently burning the fuel and minimizing pollutants smoke, creosote, and accumulation in the flue.
It is important to know that the temperature required to ignite the secondary combustion process is dependent on the type of fuel and the surrounding conditions. Use seasoned firewood that has a moisture content of less than 20% to minimize the variations.
Additionally, the amount of air that is pumped into the fire can have a significant impact on the amount of heat produced and burn time. The more oxygen available, the more hot the fire will burn. If the supply of air is insufficient the wood fire will produce less heat and burn at a slower rate.
A fireplace or wood stove insert that has an adjustable air damper will increase burn time and efficiency. Wide open settings allow the fire to use up all the oxygen available and will quickly use up the fuel available for use. The reverse is true for an area that is limited to a limited area, where the fire can not expand as much.
A dry load of firewood is also crucial to efficient wood burning. When wood is cut just recently and hasn't had a chance to dry out, it will have high water content that could make it difficult for logs to burn. For optimal performance it is recommended you only use seasoned wood that has been stored outside for six to nine month.
Another thing to consider is the BTU content of different types of wood. White pine and spruce could be cheaper than eastern hardwoods such as shagbark and hickory as well as black locust, however their BTU numbers are higher. This means that they'll generate more heat for the same amount of wood. This is why it's important to take into consideration your heating requirements and fuel costs when selecting your firewood.
Clean Burning
Wood smoke can cause indoor air pollution that can cause irritation to the lungs and respiratory distress in children and seniors. These pollutants include volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like formaldehyde and benzene as well as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzo-apyrene, can cause cancer. When firewood is smuggled into the air and smolders, volatile tars like creosote can also be released.
Smoke from old, poorly designed wood stoves and fireplaces can contribute to poor outdoor air quality, reducing visibility and contributing to photochemical smog. If used properly however modern technology for combustion in clean-burning wood stoves and places can reduce these emissions.
Stage 1 - Vaporization moisture: As the log warms it releases water vapour, which escapes through the chimney flue. This requires more energy than when the log was dried prior to burning. It also wastes energy that could be used for to heat your home.
These vapors combine in the flue with carbon particles to create smoke. Smoke is one of the major contributors to particulate matter in the air and is one of the major sources of smog we experience on clear days.
Fireplaces and wood stoves that use clean burn technology, when utilized correctly, can dramatically reduce the risk of this by converting the logs into charcoal state which releases much less volatile gasses, and creating the majority of the energy in the log from usable heat.
Avoid using damp, sour or decayed wood to light your fire. It's harder to burn and produces more creosote. Also, don't overload 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.
Always wait until the ashes are cool before handling them. Be sure to store or dispose of them in a safe manner since ashes could ignite in the presence of water and they pose a risk in landfills. Use them in your garden or at home.
Storing, seasoning and correctly burning your wood can help you save money and ensure that your stove is operating efficiently. Cleaning your chimney on a regular basis is essential to eliminate creosote, particulates, and other debris that has been deposited. This can also help prevent chimney fires as well as ensure safe operation.
Safety
It's difficult to beat a warm fire on a chilly winter night however, safety precautions must be taken. If fires are not constructed correctly, left unattended or burned the risk of dangerous fumes entering the home. Creosote can also build up in the chimney. These deposits could block the flue and reduce the flow of air, making your wood stove or furnace not to function as efficiently.
Never burn treated or painted garbage in your wood-burning stove or fireplace. They can release toxic fumes such as carbon dioxide and create toxic gasses. Do not use liquids that are flammable as a starter. Kerosene, gasoline and lighter fluids can cause an increase in emissions, cause toxic creosote and possibly cause chimney fires.
Keep combustibles, like furniture, curtains and toys, at a safe distance from your fireplace or stove. Never hang clothing on or near your wood-burning fireplace. Children should be taught that the fireplace is hot and shouldn't be touched.
Only make use of seasoned wood for your fireplace or stove. The wood that has been seasoned has been dried during the summer months to decrease the amount of moisture. Wood that is wet produces more smoke and creosote whereas seasoned logs burn much more efficiently and with less mess. The wood that is seasoned appears darker, has cracks in the end grain and makes a hollow sound when it is tapped. Place your logs outdoors and stack them neatly with the top covered and allowing air to circulate around them.
Be cautious not to over-load your stove or fireplace as appliances that are overloaded produce more smoke and produce less heat. Fires that are overloaded can also produce dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. If you have an older appliance with an aluminum liner, be sure to check it regularly for indications of wear. This can lead to an explosion in the chimney.
The EPA recommends reducing smoke inside your home by using dry, split and well-seasoned wood and building a hot fire with small pieces. Avoid using softer woods such as pine, which can be a good starting material to get your fire going but shouldn't be used for anything more than. These soft woods are brimming with sap and resin, which when burned, create large amounts of creosote into the chimney.
Maintenance
The warmth of a fireplace with wood is a wonderful way to spend winter nights. It is crucial to maintain your fireplace in order to get the most out of it. Regularly cleaning and inspecting your fireplace is the best way to avoid any issues that might occur. This maintenance helps prevent excessive creosote accumulation and ensures that the chimney is clean for maximum efficiency.
Creosote is a dark and crusty flammable material that forms in the flue when wood does not completely burn. If top wood burning stoves of creosote is accumulated, it can lead to chimney fires. They are the second leading causes of house fires across the United States. There are a variety of factors that can contribute to a fire's failure to burn completely, including dampers that have not been properly closed or damaged in the chimney liner, and an absence of regular cleaning and the removal of ash.
Incorrectly seasoned wood contributes to an excessive buildup of creosote. This is because nearly half of the weight of a piece of wood is water. When the fire is burning, this water boils and releases heat but it also consumes energy during the process. The water vapor resulting from the process is then condensed as creosote and released into the air as part of the smoke.
Soot is another noxious byproduct from burning wood. Soot is softer than creosote. However, it can adhere to the walls of your fireplace and impede air circulation. It can also be a fire hazard because it can ignite easily when exposed to gasses that are combustible.
Take the ashes out of your fireplace and place them in an ash container made of metal. Keep it outside on a non-flammable surface. Don't forget that ashes are a great source of nutrients for your plants. Spread them all over your backyard!
Regularly make sure that your chimney and fireplace are examined by a Regency Dealer Certified. The technician can look for cracks, creosote levels, soot levels, a properly shut damper and the condition of the catalyst. If you have a double-stage fireplace with an air tube, you should remove the catalyst and visually checked for any blockages. Check your user's manual to learn how to do it for your fireplace.