Wood Burning Fires Need to Be Hot and Clean
Wood-burning fires aren't only relaxing and captivating They're also an essential element of our health and wellbeing. But, they must be clean and hot to work effectively.
Unseasoned, or green, 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 much easier to light and maintain a flame.
Efficient Combustion
A wood fire has to be sufficiently hot to draw out water and reach temperatures that are above 540 deg F ( The heat-producing process of secondary combustion begins at around 900 degrees F (in ideal conditions). This is the primary step in efficiently burning the fuel and reducing pollutants, smoke, and creosote buildup in the flue.
It is important to keep in mind that the temperature needed for secondary combustion varies with the type of fuel and the conditions in the environment. The best way to minimize these variations is by using seasoned firewood with a moisture content below 20%.
The quantity of air that is delivered to a fire can also have a significant impact on the heat output and burning time. The greater the oxygen supply, the more hot a fire will burn and the shorter its burn time. A wood fire will produce less energy and burn at a slower rate when the air supply is restricted.
A wood stove or fireplace insert fitted with an adjustable air damper will maximize burn time and efficiency. A wide-open setting permits the fire to use up all of its available oxygen and will quickly use up the fuel available for use. The converse is true of a fire that is confined to a small area in which the fire cannot expand as much.
A dry load of firewood is also essential to efficient wood burning. When wood is cut just recently and hasn't had time to dry it will have a high levels of water, which could make it difficult to burn. It is recommended to use only wood that is seasoned and has been stored outdoors for a period of six to nine months for the best performance.
Another factor to consider is the BTU content of different kinds of wood. 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. It's important to consider your heating needs and fuel costs when choosing your firewood.
Clean Burning
Wood smoke can cause indoor air pollution that can irritate lungs and cause respiratory discomfort in senior citizens and children. These pollutants comprise volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like formaldehyde and benzene as well as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzo-apyrene, 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 in the outside by decreasing visibility and causing photochemical smog. However, modern clean burning fireplaces and wood stoves that incorporate modern combustion technology when used correctly can drastically reduce the emission.
Stage 1 - Moisture Vaporizes: As the log heats up, it releases water vapor, which escapes up the chimney flue. This takes more energy than if the log was dried before burning. This also wastes energy that could be put to use warming your home.
In the flue, the vapors mix with carbon particles and form smoke. Smoke is one of the main sources of particulate matter and smog in the air.
Fireplaces and wood stoves equipped with clean burn technology, if properly used, can greatly reduce this issue by converting the wood to the state of charcoal, which releases far less volatile gases, as well as producing most 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 creates much more creosote than well-seasoned wood. Don't over-load 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 lead to chimney fires.
Use a bucket made of metal to scoop ashes from the stove, and always wait for them to cool before handling them. Be sure to store or dispose of them in a safe manner as ashes can ignite when exposed to water, and they pose a risk in landfills. Make use of them in your garden or at home.
Storing, seasoning and correctly burning your wood will help you save money and keep your stove running efficiently. It is also essential to regularly clean your chimney to get rid of creosote and particulate matter and also to prevent chimney fires and maintain the safety of the operation.
Safety
There's nothing like a warm fire to while away chilly winter evenings, but proper safety precautions are necessary. When fires aren't properly built, burned or left unattended, hazardous fumes could be released into the home and dangerous creosote accumulations can form within the chimney. These deposits can clog the flue, impede airflow, and cause your furnace or wood stove to work less efficiently.
Never burn painted or treated wood, household waste paper, rags, and other combustible materials inside your wood-burning stove or fireplace. They can emit toxic fumes, such as carbon dioxide, and release toxic gasses. Also, avoid using explosive liquids to ignite fires. Gasoline, lighter fluid and kerosene may cause fires in chimneys which can increase emissions and cause toxic creosote.
Keep combustibles, such as furniture or curtains, as well as toys, in a safe distance from your stove or fireplace. Do not hang clothes near or on your wood-burning fireplace. Make sure your children know that the fire is hot and should not be touched.
Only use seasoned wood for your fireplace or stove. Seasoned wood has been dried throughout the summer to reduce moisture content. Wet woods produce more smoke and creosote while seasoned logs burn more cleanly and more efficiently. The wood that is seasoned is darker and has cracks along the grain's end and sounds hollow when you tap it. Keep your logs outside stacked neatly with the top securing and allowing air to circulate around them.
Be best wood burning stove not to overload your fireplace or stove because overloaded appliances produce more smoke and produce less heat. In addition, overloaded fires can produce dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. If you have an older appliance that has a lining made of metal, you should inspect the liner regularly for signs of wear and tear that can cause a chimney fire.
The EPA suggests reducing the amount of smoke in your home by using dry, well-seasoned, split and dry wood and constructing a hot fire using small pieces. Avoid using soft woods such as pine. Pine is a great starting material for the fire, but it shouldn't be used beyond that. These softer woods contain sap and resin, which when burned, create large amounts of creosote into the chimney.
Maintenance
The warmth of a fireplace with wood is a great option to relax during winter nights. It is important to maintain your fireplace in order to make the most of it. Regular cleaning and inspection of your fireplace is the best way to prevent problems that could occur. This prevents creosote buildup and keeps the chimney clear for maximum efficiency.
If the wood doesn't fully burn it forms creosote in the chimney. When a large amount of creosote is accumulated it can cause chimney fires. These are the second most common cause of house fires across the United States. A number of issues can cause a fire to fail to completely burn, including dampers that are improperly closed, cracks in the chimney liner, and the absence of regular cleaning and removal of ash.
Wood that is not properly seasoned can cause an excessive buildup of creosote. This is because nearly half the weight of a piece of wood is water. During the fire it boils and releases heat but it also consumes energy in the process. The water vapor produced is then absorbed into creosote and is released into the air as a part of smoke.
Soot is a different harmful product of burning wood. wood burning stoves uk is more pliable than creosote. However, it can stick to the walls of your fireplace and impede air flow. It can also be a fire risk because it is easily ignited when exposed to combustible gases.
The ashes should be removed and place them in a metal ash bucket that you can keep outside on a non-flammable 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!
It is recommended to ensure that your chimney and fireplace are checked by a Regency Dealer certified. The technician will be able to check for cracks in the chimney, creosote and soot levels, a properly sealed damper, and the condition of your catalyst. If you have a double-stage chimney that includes an air tube, it is recommended to have the catalyst removed and visually checked for any blockages. Refer to the user manual to find out how to do it for your unit.
