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 element of our wellbeing and health. They should be hot and clean in order to work.
Green, or unseasoned, wood has high moisture content which makes it difficult to burn and light efficiently. Kiln dried or seasoned wood has a lower moisture content, making it easier to light and maintain a fire.
Efficient Combustion
A wood fire needs to be hot enough to push out moisture and reach temperatures of 540 deg F ( The process of producing heat in secondary combustion starts at 900 degrees F (in ideal conditions). This is the primary process for efficiently burning the fuel and minimizing pollutants, smoke, and creosote accumulation in the flue.
It is crucial to remember that the temperature required for secondary combustion varies with the type of fuel used and the conditions in the environment. The best method to reduce these variations is by using well-seasoned firewood that has an average moisture content of less than 20 percent.
Additionally, the amount of air supplied to 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 limited, however a wood fire will produce less heat and burn slower.
A fireplace or wood stove insert that has an adjustable air damper can increase the time to burn and efficiency. The wide-open setting lets the fire to get all the oxygen it can get and quickly draw down the fuel supply. This is not the case with an area that is limited to a smaller area where the fire can not expand as much.
A well-dried firewood load is also essential to efficient wood burning. When wood is cut just recently and hasn't had a chance to dry out it will have a high water content, which 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 months.
The BTU content of wood is a different factor to consider. For example, white pine or spruce wood may be cheaper than eastern hardwoods like black locust or shagbark, however the BTU values of the latter are much higher, which means they offer more heat for the same amount of wood. This is why it's important to take into consideration 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 trigger respiratory distress, especially for seniors and children. These pollutants include volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like formaldehyde and benzene, as well as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, such as benzo-a-pyrene, which can cause cancer. When firewood is burned the volatile tars like creosote are also released.
Smoke from older, poorly-designed wood stoves and fireplaces can contribute to poor outdoor air quality, reducing visibility and contributing to photochemical pollution. However, new clean burning fireplaces and wood stoves equipped with modern technology for combustion, when used correctly can drastically reduce the emissions.
Stage 1 - Vaporization moisture: As the log heats it releases water vapour, which escapes through the chimney flue. This requires more energy than if the log was dried before burning. This wastes energy which could be used to warm your home.
These vapors combine in the flue with carbon particles, resulting in smoke. Smoke is one of the major sources of particulate matter and smog in the air.
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 conditions, which releases less volatile gasses and produces the majority of the energy produced by the log as usable heat.
Avoid using damp, sour or decayed wood to light your fire. It's harder to burn and creates more creosote. Also, don't overload your stove with thin and soft wood like pine or fir; it takes more energy to burn them and they produce more smoke which can cause chimney fires.
Always wait until wood burning stoves uk have cooled before handling them. Dispose of or store ashes in a safe manner. They can re-ignite when exposed to water, and are dangerous to dispose of in landfills. Instead, make sure to utilize them in your garden or around the home.
Properly conserving, securing and burning your wood properly will save you money on fuel and ensure that your stove is working efficiently. It is also crucial to regularly clean your chimney to remove creosote that has been deposited and particulate matter, as well as prevent chimney fires and maintain the safety of the operation.
Safety
There's nothing better than a warm fire to warm up chilly winter nights, but the right safety precautions are essential. If fires are not properly constructed or burned, or left unattended, harmful fumes can be released into the home, and potentially dangerous creosote deposits can build up inside the chimney. These deposits can block the flue, impede airflow, and cause your furnace or wood stove to work less efficiently.
Do not burn treated, painted, or household garbage in your wood-burning stove or fireplace. They produce noxious gases and may release toxic fumes such as carbon monoxide. Also, do not use explosive liquids to ignite fires. Kerosene, gasoline and lighter fluids can cause an increase in emissions, produce toxic creosote and possibly cause chimney fires.
Keep combustibles, like furniture or curtains, as well as toys, at a safe distance from your stove or fireplace. Do not hang clothes 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.
Make sure to use only wood that has been seasoned for your stove or fireplace. The wood that is seasoned has been dried over the summer months to reduce the amount of moisture. Wet woods emit more smoke and creosote. On the other hand, seasoned logs are more efficient and cleaner. Wood that is seasoned looks darker, has cracks in the end grain and makes a hollow sound when tapped. Keep your logs outside stacked neatly with the top covered and allowing air to circulate around them.
Be careful not to over-load your stove or fireplace, as overloaded appliances generate more smoke and less heat. Overloaded fires can also generate unsafe carbon monoxide levels. If you own an older appliance with an insulated metal liner, check the liner regularly for signs of wear and tear that can cause an explosion in the chimney.
The EPA recommends reducing smoke inside your home by using dry, split, and well-seasoned wood, and then constructing a warm fire with small pieces. Avoid using soft woods like pine. Pine is a good fuel for a fire, but shouldn't be used beyond that. These soft woods contain resin and sap, which is a result of burning, and deposits excessive creosote inside the chimney.
Maintenance
A warm flame in a wood burning fireplace is an ideal way to enjoy the cold winter nights. It is important to maintain your fireplace in order to get the most enjoyment of it. Regularly cleaning and inspecting your fireplace is the best way to prevent problems that could occur. This prevents excessive creosote buildup, and also keeps the chimney clean for maximum efficiency.
Creosote is a dark and hard, flammable substance that develops in the flue when wood does not burn completely. 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 number of causes including dampers that aren't properly closed or cracks in the liner of the chimney and the absence of regular cleaning and ash removal.
Incorrectly seasoned wood causes the buildup of creosote in excess. This is because nearly half of the weight of a piece wood is water. In the course of a fire the water boils and releases heat, but it also consumes energy during the process. The water vapor produced then condenses into creosote or is released into the air as a part of smoke.
Soot is a different harmful product of burning wood. Soot is more pliable than creosote. However, it can cling to the walls of your fireplace and impede air circulation. It could also pose an ignition risk since it ignites easily when exposed to combustible gasses.
You should remove the ashes and store them in an ash bucket made of metal, which you should 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!
You should have a Certified Regency Dealer inspect your chimney and fireplace on a regular basis. The technician can check 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 fireplace which includes an air tube the catalyst should be removed and visually inspected for obstructions. Consult your user's manual for directions on how to do this for your specific unit.