Wood Burning Fires Need to Be Hot and Clean
Wood burning fires are not only comforting and mesmerising they're also a vital element of our wellbeing and health. However, they must be clean and hot for them to function properly.
Green, or unseasoned, wood is very moist which makes it difficult to ignite and burn effectively. Kiln dried or seasoned wood burning stoves uk has a low moisture content, making it easier to ignite and maintain a flame.
Efficient Combustion
The wood fire should be sufficiently hot to snuff out water and reach temperatures that exceed 540 deg F. The heat-producing process of secondary combustion begins at 900 degrees F (in ideal conditions). This is the most important step to efficient combustion of fuel and minimizing emissions and smoke in the flue.
It is crucial to understand that the temperature needed for secondary combustion depends on the type of fuel and the conditions around it. The best way to limit the variations is to use well-seasoned firewood that has an average moisture content of less than 20 percent.
The amount of air that is delivered to a fire will also have an important influence on its temperature and burning time. The more oxygen available, the more hot the fire will burn. A wood fire will produce less energy and burn at a slower rate when the air supply is limited.
To maximize burn time and efficiency To maximize the efficiency and time of burn, a wood stove or fireplace insert should be fitted with an adjustable air damper. The wide-open setting allows the fire to take all the oxygen it needs and will quickly draw down the fuel supply. A fire that is contained in an area of limited size is less likely to spread.
A well-dried load of firewood is also critical for efficient wood burning. When wood is freshly cut and hasn't had the chance to dry out, it will have high levels of water, which may make it difficult to burn. It is recommended to use only seasoned firewood that has been stored outdoors for between six and nine months for the Best wood burning stoves performance.
The BTU content of wood is another aspect to consider. For example white pine or spruce wood may be less expensive than eastern hardwoods, such as shagbark hickory and black locust but the BTU values of the latter are more, meaning they offer more heat for the same amount of wood burned. This is the reason it's important to consider your heating requirements and the cost of fuel when choosing your firewood.
Clean Burning
Wood smoke produces indoor air pollutants that can irritate the lungs and can cause respiratory distress, especially for older adults and children. These pollutants comprise volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like benzene and formaldehyde, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons like benzo-a-pyrene, that can cause cancer. Volatile tars (such as creosote) are also released when firewood is burned.
Smoke from old, poorly-designed wood stoves and fireplaces can contribute to poor outdoor air quality, reducing visibility and contributing to photochemical pollution. When used correctly, however, modern combustion technology in new clean-burning cheap wood burner stoves and places can reduce these emissions.
Stage 1 - Moisture vapourizes: As the log heats up it releases water vapor which escapes through the chimney flue. This uses up more energy than it would have if the log was seasoned to dry before burning. It also wastes energy that could be put to use to heat your home.
These vapors combine in the flue with carbon particles to produce smoke. Smoke is a major contributor to particulate matter in the air and is one of the major sources of smog we see on clear days.
Wood stoves and fireplaces with clean burn technology, if used correctly, can significantly reduce this issue by converting the wood to the state of charcoal, which releases far less volatile gases, as well as producing the majority of the energy contained in the log from usable heat.
Avoid using damp or sour wood for your fire - it's more difficult to burn and generates lots of creosote compared to well-seasoned wood. Avoid overburdening the stove with thin and soft woods like fir or pine. They require more energy to burn and produce more smoke, which can cause chimney fires.
Always wait until the ashes are cool before handling them. Dispose of or store ashes in a safe manner. They could ignite again if exposed to water, and are dangerous in landfills. Make use of them in your garden or at your home.
Properly properly storing, seasoning and burning your wood properly will save you money on fuel and keep your stove functioning efficiently. Cleaning your chimney regularly is crucial to get rid of creosote, particulates and other debris that has been deposited. This can also stop chimney fires and ensure safe operation.
Safety
There's nothing like a warm fire to warm up chilly winter nights, but the right safety precautions are required. If fires are constructed incorrectly and left unattended or burnt, dangerous fumes can enter the home. Creosote may also build up in the chimney. These deposits can clog up the flue and reduce airflow, causing your furnace or wood stove not to work as effectively.
Never burn treated, painted, or household waste in your wood-burning oven or fireplace. They produce noxious gases and can release toxic fumes, like carbon monoxide. Avoid using liquids that are flammable as a starter. Kerosene, gasoline and lighter fluids can increase emissions, create toxic creosote, and even cause chimney fires.
Keep combustible objects, such as furniture, curtains and toys, at a safe distance from your stove or fireplace. Do not hang clothes near or on your wood-burning fireplace. Children should be taught that the fireplace is very hot and shouldn't be touched.
Make sure to use only wood that has been seasoned for your fireplace or stove. The wood that is seasoned has been dried during the summer months to lessen the moisture. Wet woods emit more smoke and creosote whereas seasoned logs are more efficient and clean. The wood that is seasoned is darker and cracks appear along the grain's end and sounds hollow when you tap it. Keep your logs outside stacked neatly, with the top covered and allowing air to circulate around them.
Be careful not to overload your stove or fireplace because overloaded appliances produce more smoke and produce less heat. Fires that are overloaded can also create dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. If you have an older appliance with an aluminum liner, be sure to check it frequently for indications of wear. This can lead to a chimney fire.
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 soft woods, like pine, which are a great for starting your fire going but shouldn't be used for more than that. These soft woods contain resin and sap, which, when burnt, deposits excessive creosote inside the chimney.
Maintenance
Warming up in front of a fireplace with wood is a wonderful way to enjoy the winter nights. But, it is essential to maintain your fireplace in order to ensure that you reap the maximum benefits from your fire. Regular cleaning and inspections of your fireplace will help you avoid any issues. This prevents the accumulation of creosote buildup, and also keeps the chimney clean for maximum efficiency.
Creosote, a dark, crusty flammable material that forms in the flue when wood does not burn completely. When a large amount of creosote builds up, it can lead to chimney fires. These are the second leading cause of house fires across the United States. The failure of a fire to completely burn can be caused by a variety of reasons including dampers that aren't properly closed and cracks in the chimney's liner and the absence of regular cleaning and removal of ash.
Incorrectly seasoned wood causes an excessive buildup of creosote. This is due to the fact that up to half of the weight of a piece of wood is water. In the course of a fire, this water boils and releases heat but it also consumes energy in 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 a different harmful byproduct of burning wood. Soot is more pliable than creosote, but it can cling to the walls of your fireplace and block air flow. It also poses an hazard to fire because it is a natural igniter when exposed to gases that are combustible.
It is recommended to remove the ashes and put them in an ash bucket made of metal that you can keep outside on a non-flammable surface. The ashes can also be used as an energy source for plants Don't forget to spread them around the lawn!
Make sure you ensure that your chimney and fireplace are checked by a Regency Dealer Certified. The technician will look for cracks, creosote levels, soot levels and a damper that is shut properly and the condition of the catalyst. If you have a two-stage chimney 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 do this for the particular unit you have.