Wood Burning Fires Need to Be Hot and Clean
The warmth and ambiance of a wood-burning fireplace is not just relaxing and captivating, but also essential to our health and well-being. They must be hot and clean to be effective.
Green, or unseasoned wood has a high moisture content that makes it challenging to light and burn efficiently. Kiln dried, or seasoned wood has low moisture content and is easier to ignite and keep burning.
Efficient Combustion
The wood fire must be hot enough to burn off water and reach temperatures that exceed 540 degrees F. 900 deg F in ideal conditions) at which the secondary combustion process starts. This is the most important step to efficiently burning fuel while reducing pollutants and smoke in the flue.
It is important to know that the temperature required for secondary combustion depends on the type of fuel used and the surrounding conditions. Choose firewood that is well-seasoned and has a moisture content of less than 20% to minimize these variations.
The amount of air supplied to a fire will also have a significant influence on its energy output and time to burn. The more oxygen available, the faster the fire will burn. A wood fire produces less energy and burn at a slower rate when the air supply is limited.
A fireplace or wood stove insert fitted with an adjustable air damper will increase the time to burn and efficiency. Wide open settings allow the fire to use up all of its available oxygen and will quickly exhaust the fuel available for use. A fire that is contained within a small space is less likely to spread.
A dry load of firewood is also critical to efficient wood burning. Wood that is freshly cut and hasn't been allowed to dry will contain a lot of water which makes it difficult to burn. It is recommended to use only wood that is seasoned and has been stored outdoors for between six and nine months for optimal performance.
Another factor to consider is the BTU content of various types of wood. White pine and spruce may be cheaper than eastern hardwoods such as shagbark, hickory and black locust, however their BTU numbers are higher. This means that they'll produce more heat for the same amount of wood. It is important to consider your heating needs and fuel costs when choosing your firewood.
Clean Burning
Wood smoke is a source of indoor air pollutants that irritate the lungs and cause respiratory distress, particularly 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 are carcinogenic. Volatile Tars (such as creosote) are also released when firewood burns.
Smoke from poorly designed wood stoves and fire places can contribute to poor air quality outside, reducing visibility and contributing photochemical pollution. However, new clean burning fireplaces and wood stoves that incorporate modern combustion technology when properly used, can greatly reduce the emission.
Stage 1 - Moisture vapourizes: As the log heats up it releases water vapor that escapes down the chimney flue. This requires more energy than if the log had been dried before burning. This also wastes energy that could be used for warming your home.
These vapors mix in the flue with carbon particles to produce smoke. Smoke is one of the major contributors to particulate matter in the air and is one of the major sources of smog that we experience on clear days.
Wood stoves and fireplaces with clean burn technology, when used correctly, can significantly reduce this issue by converting the logs into a charcoal state, which releases far less volatile gasses, and creating the majority of the energy contained in the log from usable heat.
Avoid using damp or sour wood for your fire because it's more difficult to burn and generates much more creosote than well-seasoned wood. Don't overload the stove with soft and thin woods like pine or fir. They require more energy to burn and produce more smoke, which can cause chimney fires.
Use a metal bucket to scoop ashes from the stove, and wait until they cool before handling them. Make sure you store or dispose of them properly since ashes could ignite in the presence of water and they pose a risk in landfills. Use them in your garden or at home.
Properly properly storing, seasoning and burning your wood properly will save you money on fuel and keep your stove functioning efficiently. Regularly cleaning your chimney is essential to eliminate creosote and particulates as well as other debris that has been deposited. This can also stop chimney fires and maintain safe operation.
Safety
It's hard to beat a warm fireplace in the winter cold however, safety precautions should be taken. If fires are not properly constructed, burned or left unattended, harmful fumes can escape into the home, and potentially dangerous creosote deposits can build up within the chimney. These deposits could block the flue and decrease airflow, causing your furnace or wood stove not to work as efficiently.
Never burn treated or painted waste in your wood-burning stove fireplace. They could release toxic fumes like carbon dioxide, and release toxic gases. Do not use liquids that are flammable as a starter. Gasoline, lighter fluid, and kerosene can cause chimney fires that can cause emissions to rise and cause toxic creosote.
Keep combustible materials, such as furniture, curtains and toys, at a safe distance from your stove or fireplace. Never hang clothing on or near your fireplace that is wood burning. Make sure that children understand that the fireplace is extremely hot and should not be touched.
Use only seasoned wood for your fireplace or stove. The wood that is seasoned has been dried during the summer months to reduce moisture. Wet woods produce more smoke and creosote. On the other hand, the wood that has been seasoned is more efficient and clean. Seasoned wood is darker and cracks appear along the end grain and sounds hollow when you tap it. Store cheap wood burner , neatly stacking them with the top partially covered but still allowing air circulation around them.
Be aware not to over-load your stove or fireplace because overloaded appliances produce more smoke and produce less heat. Overloaded fires can also generate dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. If you own an older appliance that has a lining made of metal, you should inspect the liner frequently for signs of wear and tear that can cause an explosion in the chimney.
The EPA recommends using split, dry, and well-seasoned wood to help reduce the amount of smoke that your home produces. Build a hot fire by using small pieces. Avoid using soft woods such as pine. Pine is a great starting material for an open flame, but should not be used beyond that. These soft woods contain resin and sap that is a result of burning, and deposits excessive creosote into the chimney.
Maintenance
A warm evening in front of a fireplace that is wood-burning is a great way to spend winter evenings. It is crucial to maintain your fireplace in order to ensure that you receive the maximum benefit from your fire. Regular inspections and cleaning of your fireplace will allow you avoid any issues. This prevents the accumulation of 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 doesn't completely burn. If a large amount of creosote builds up it can cause chimney fires, which are the second most common cause of house fires in the United States. The failure of a fire to completely burn can be caused by a number of reasons including dampers that aren't properly closed, cracks in the liner of the chimney, and a lack or regular cleaning and ash removal.
Incorrectly seasoned wood contributes to the accumulation of creosote to an excessive degree. Water can make up half of the weight of a wooden piece. The water is heated during the fire and releases heat. It also consumes energy. The water vapor that is produced then condenses into creosote, or is released into the air as part of smoke.
Soot is a different harmful byproduct from burning wood. Soot is more pliable than creosote, however it can adhere to the walls of your fireplace and impede air circulation. It also poses a fire hazard because it is easily ignited when exposed to combustible gases.
The ashes should be removed and put them in an ash bucket made of metal, which you should keep outside on a nonflammable surface. The ashes can also be used as an energy source for plants Don't forget to spread them out across the lawn!
Make sure you make sure that your chimney and fireplace are examined by a Regency Dealer certified. The technician can check for cracks in the chimney, creosote and soot levels, a properly closed damper, and the condition of your catalyst. If you have a two-stage fireplace that has an air tube, the catalyst must be removed and visually inspected for blockages. Consult your user manual to find out the procedure for your unit.