wood burning fires (nativ.media) Need to Be Hot and Clean
Wood burning fires are not just a relaxing and enchanting experience, but they're a critical part of our health and wellbeing. They should be hot and clean to be effective.
Green wood, also known as unseasoned wood has an excessive amount of moisture which makes it difficult to ignite and burn effectively. The seasoned, or kiln dried wood has a low moisture content and is easier to ignite and burn for longer.
Efficient Combustion
The wood fire should be hot enough to burn off moisture and reach temperatures over 540 deg F. The process of producing heat in secondary combustion begins at around 900 degrees F (in ideal conditions). This is the most important process for efficiently burning the fuel and reducing pollutants smoke, creosote, and buildup in the flue.
It is vital to realize that the temperature required for secondary combustion is contingent on the kind of fuel used and the surrounding conditions. The best way to minimize these variations is by using well-seasoned firewood that has less than 20 percent.
The quantity of air being provided to a flame will also have an important impact on its energy output and time to burn. The higher the amount of oxygen available, the hotter a fire can burn and the shorter its burn duration. When the air supply is limited, however the wood fire produces less heat and burn slower.
To ensure maximum burn time and efficiency, a wood stove or fireplace insert must be equipped with an adjustable air damper. Wide open settings allow the fire to burn through all oxygen available and quickly exhaust the supply of usable fuel. The converse is true of an area that is limited to a smaller area where the fire is unable to expand as far.
A well-dried firewood load 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 for optimal performance.
The BTU content of wood is a different factor to take into consideration. For instance white pine or spruce trees may be less expensive than eastern hardwoods like black locust or shagbark, but the BTU values of the latter are higher, meaning they will provide more heat for the same amount of wood burned. It is crucial to consider your heating requirements and the cost of fuel when selecting your firewood.
Clean Burning
Wood smoke creates indoor wood burner air pollutants that can irritate the lungs and can cause respiratory distress, especially for children and seniors. These pollutants comprise 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 also get released.
Smoke from older, poorly-designed fireplaces and wood stoves could contribute to poor outdoor air quality, decreasing visibility and causing photochemical pollution. However, modern clean burning wood stoves and fireplaces that incorporate modern combustion technology when used properly can drastically reduce the emissions.
Stage 1 - The vaporization of moisture: As the log heats, it releases water vapour which escapes through the chimney flue. This takes more energy than when the log was dried before burning. It also consumes energy that could be used for warming your home.
These vapors combine in the flue with carbon particles to produce smoke. Smoke is one of the main sources of particulate matter and smog in the air.
If used properly, wood stoves and fireplaces that utilize clean burn technology can reduce the risk of this issue by converting the logs to charcoal-like conditions, which releases less volatile gasses and produces the majority of energy from the log as usable heat.
Avoid using damp, sour or rotten wood to ignite your fire. It's harder to burn and produces more creosote. Also, don't overload your stove with thin and soft wood like pine or fir as it requires more energy to burn them and they create more smoke which can cause chimney fires.
Always wait until the ashes have cooled before handling them. Keep or dispose of ashes correctly. They could ignite again if exposed to water and are dangerous to dispose of in landfills. Instead, ensure that you use them around your garden or around the home.
Storing, seasoning and properly burning your wood can help you save money and ensure that your stove is operating efficiently. Cleaning your chimney regularly is crucial to get rid of creosote and particulates as well as other deposited matter. This will also prevent chimney fires as well as maintain safe operation.
Safety
There's nothing better than a warm fire to warm up chilly winter nights, but the right safety precautions are necessary. When fires are improperly built or tended to, or left unattended, hazardous fumes can escape into the home, and potentially dangerous creosote deposits can build up inside the chimney. These deposits can block the flue, inhibit the flow of air and cause your furnace or wood stove to work less efficiently.
Never burn treated or painted wood, household trash paper, rags, and other combustible materials in your wood-burning stove or fireplace. They release toxic gases and can release toxic fumes like carbon monoxide. Do not use the flammable liquids for a fire starter. Kerosene, gasoline and lighter fluid can increase emissions, create toxic creosote and possibly cause chimney fires.
Keep flammable materials like furniture, curtains, and even toys, a safe distance from your fireplace or stove. Never hang clothing on or near your wood burning fireplace. Make sure your children are aware that the fire is hot and should not be touched.
Only use seasoned wood for your stove or fireplace. Seasoned wood has been dried through the summer to decrease the moisture content. Wet woods produce more smoke and creosote, however, seasoned logs burn more cleanly and more efficiently. Seasoned large wood burner is darker, has cracks along the ends of the grain, and sounds hollow when you tap it. Store your logs outdoors stacked neatly with the top covered with a breathable air circulate around them.
Be cautious not to overload your fireplace or stove because overloaded appliances produce more smoke and less heat. Fires that are overloaded can also produce unsafe carbon monoxide levels. If you own an older appliance that has an insulated metal liner, check the liner frequently for signs of wear and tear that can cause a chimney fire.
The EPA recommends using split, dry and well-seasoned wood in order to reduce the amount of smoke you breathe in your home. Create a fire using small wood burner pieces. Avoid using soft woods like pine. Pine is a great fuel for the fire, but it shouldn't be used beyond that. These soft woods are brimming with sap and resin that, when burned, deposit an excessive amount of creosote in the chimney.
Maintenance
The warmth of a fireplace that is wood burner-burning is a wonderful way to enjoy the winter nights. It is essential to keep your fireplace in good condition to get the most out of it. Regular inspections and cleaning of your fireplace will help you avoid any issues. This maintenance prevents excessive creosote and keeps the chimney clear for maximum efficiency.
If the wood doesn't fully burn, creosote forms in the chimney. If a substantial amount of creosote is accumulated, it can cause chimney fires, which are the second-leading cause of house fires in the United States. The failure of a fireplace to burn completely can be caused by a variety of factors, including improperly closed dampers and cracks in the chimney's liner as well as a lack of regular cleaning and ash removal.
Incorrectly seasoned very small wood burning stove contributes to the buildup of creosote in excess. This is because nearly half the weight of a piece wood is water. The water is heated during the fire and releases heat. It also consumes energy. The resulting water vapor is then condensed into creosote, or released into the air as part of the smoke.
Another harmful byproduct of burning wood is soot. Soot, while softer than creosote, can impede airflow and stick to walls. It also poses a fire hazard because it easily ignites when exposed to combustible gases.
Remove the ashes from your fireplace and put them in an ash bucket made from metal. Keep it outside on a non-flammable area. Don't forget that dust is a fantastic 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 will look 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 includes an air tube the catalyst should be removed and visually checked for obstructions. Refer to the user manual to find out the procedure for your unit.