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Wood Burning Fires Need to Be Hot and Clean
The warmth and ambience of a wood-burning fireplace is not just relaxing and captivating but is also vital to our health and well-being. They should be hot and clean in order to work.
Green, or unseasoned, wood has high moisture content which makes it difficult to light and burn efficiently. The seasoned, or kiln dried wood has a low moisture content and is therefore easier to light and burn for longer.
Efficient Combustion
A wood fire needs to be hot enough to drive out water and reach temperatures that are above 540 deg F ( 900 degrees F in ideal conditions) where the heat-producing secondary combustion process begins. This is the key step in efficiently burning fuel and minimizing pollution and smoke that enters the flue.
very small wood burner is important to know that the temperature required to ignite the secondary combustion process is dependent on the type of fuel used and the conditions around it. Choose firewood that is well-seasoned and has an average moisture content of less than 20% to minimize these variations.
Additionally, the amount of air supplied to the fire can greatly affect its heat output and time to burn. The greater the oxygen supply, the more hot a fire will burn and the shorter its burn duration. A wood fire will produce less energy and burn at a slower rate when the air supply is slowed.
To increase the time of burning and efficiency, a wood stove or fireplace insert must be equipped with an adjustable air damper. A wide open setting allows the fire to burn through all oxygen available and will quickly exhaust the supply of usable fuel. A fire that is contained in a small space is less likely to spread.
A dry load of firewood is also critical to efficient wood burning. When wood is cut just recently and hasn’t had the chance to dry out it will have a high water content that may make it difficult to burn. It is recommended to use only well-seasoned firewood that has been stored outdoors for between six and nine months to ensure optimal performance.
Another thing to consider is the BTU content of different kinds of wood. White pine and spruce may be less expensive than eastern hardwoods, such as shagbark and hickory as well as black locust, but their BTU numbers are higher. This means they’ll produce more heat with the same amount of wood. It is important to take into account your heating needs and the cost of fuel when selecting your firewood.
Clean Burning
Wood smoke is a source of indoor air pollutants that irritate the lungs and cause respiratory distress, especially for older adults and children. These pollutants comprise volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as formaldehyde and benzene, as well as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, such as benzo-a-pyrene, which are carcinogenic. When wood is burned, volatile tars such as creosote can also be released.
Smoke from poorly designed wood stoves and fire places can contribute to poor air quality outside, decreasing visibility and causing photochemical pollution. However, modern clean burning fireplaces and wood stoves equipped with modern technology for combustion, when used properly, can greatly reduce the emission.
Stage 1 – Moisture vapourizes: As the log gets heated, it releases water vapor, that escapes down the chimney flue. This takes more energy than when the log was dried before burning. It also wastes energy that could be used for heating your home.
In the flue, the vapors mix with carbon particles to form smoke. Smoke is among the main sources of particulate matter and smog that is found in the air.
Fireplaces and wood stoves equipped with clean burn technology, when utilized correctly, can dramatically reduce this problem by converting the wood to the state of charcoal, which releases far less volatile gases, and creating the majority of the energy contained in the log from usable heat.
Avoid using damp, sour or rotten wood to ignite your fire. It’s more difficult to burn and produces more creosote. Also, don’t overburden your stove with soft and thin wood such as fir or pine as it requires more energy to burn them and they also produce more smoke which can cause chimney fires.
Always wait until the ashes have cooled before handling them. Dispose of or store ashes correctly. They could ignite again if exposed to water and can be dangerous in landfills. Make use of them in your garden or at home.
Storing, seasoning and properly burning your wood can help you save money and ensure your stove runs efficiently. Regularly cleaning your chimney is essential to eliminate creosote, particulates and other debris that has been deposited. This can also stop chimney fires as well as keep your chimney operating safely.
Safety
There’s nothing like a warm fire to warm up chilly winter evenings, however proper 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 may build up within the chimney. These deposits can clog up the flue and decrease airflow, causing your furnace or wood stove to not work as effectively.
Never burn treated or painted wood, household waste paper, rags, or other combustible substances in your wood-burning fireplace or stove. They release toxic fumes like carbon dioxide and create toxic gasses. Don’t use the flammable liquids to ignite fires. Gasoline, lighter fluid, and kerosene could cause chimney fires, increase emissions, and produce toxic creosote.
Keep combustibles, such as furniture curtains, toys, and other items at a safe distance from your stove or fireplace. Never hang clothing on or near your fireplace that is wood burning. Children should be taught that the fireplace is extremely hot and shouldn’t be touched.
Only use wood that is seasoned in your fireplace or stove. Seasoned wood has been dried through the summer to reduce moisture content. The wood that is damp produces more smoke and creosote however, seasoned logs burn more efficiently and cleanly. The wood that has been seasoned is darker and has cracks along the ends of the grain, and sounds hollow when you tap it. Store your logs outdoors stacked neatly with the top securing and allowing air to circulate around them.
The appliances that are overloaded generate more smoke and less warmth. Overloaded fires can also generate unsafe carbon monoxide levels. If you have an older appliance with an aluminum liner, be sure to check it regularly for signs of wear. This can lead to a chimney fire.
The EPA recommends using dry, split and well-seasoned wood in order to minimize smoke in your home. Build a hot fire by using small pieces. Avoid using softer woods, like pine, which are a great starting material to get your fire going however should not be used for anything more than. These softer woods contain sap and resin, which burns, if burned, will create excessive creosote in the chimney.
Maintenance
A warm flame in a wood burning fireplace is a great method to relax during the cold winter nights. But, it is essential to maintain your fireplace to ensure that you receive the maximum benefit from your fire. Regularly cleaning and inspecting your fireplace is the best method to avoid any issues that might occur. This maintenance prevents excessive creosote and keeps the chimney clean to ensure maximum efficiency.
Creosote, a dark, crusty flammable substance that forms in the flue when wood does not completely burn. If a significant amount of creosote is accumulated it can result in chimney fires. These are the second leading cause of house fires across the United States. There are a variety of factors that can cause a fire to fail to fully burn, such as dampers that are not properly sealed and cracks in the chimney liner, and an absence of regular cleaning and removal of ash.
Incorrectly seasoned wood contributes to the accumulation of creosote to an excessive degree. This is because nearly half of the weight of a piece of wood is water. This water boils during the fire and releases heat. It also consumes energy. The water vapor created then condenses into creosote, or is released into the air as a part of smoke.
Another harmful byproduct of burning wood is soot. Soot is less brittle than creosote, but it can adhere to the walls of your fireplace and block air flow. It is also an hazard to fire because it is a natural igniter when exposed to gasses that ignite.
Take the ashes out of your fireplace and store them in an ash bucket made of metal. Keep it outside on an unflammable surface. Don’t forget that the remains of the ashes are a good source of nutrients for your plants. Spread them all over your yard!
Regularly ensure that your chimney and fireplace are examined by a Regency Dealer certified. The technician can check for cracks, creosote and soot levels and a damper that is shut properly and the condition of the catalyst. If you have a double-stage fireplace with an air tube, it is recommended to have the catalyst removed and visually checked for any blockages. Check your user’s manual to learn the procedure for your unit.