11 Strategies To Completely Redesign Your Wood Burning Fires
Wood Burning Fires Need to Be Hot and Clean
The warmth and ambiance of wood-burning fires are not just relaxing and captivating, but also essential to our health and well-being. They need to be warm and clean in order to be effective.
Unseasoned, or green, wood has high moisture content which makes it difficult to light and burn efficiently. Kiln dried or seasoned wood has a lower moisture content, making it much easier to light and maintain a fire.
Efficient Combustion
The wood fire should be sufficiently hot to burn off moisture and reach temperatures over 540 deg F. The process of producing heat from secondary combustion begins at 900 degrees F (in ideal conditions). This is the key step in efficient combustion of fuel and minimizing pollutants and smoke in the flue.
It is important to note that the temperature required for secondary combustion is dependent on the type of fuel and the environmental conditions. Choose firewood that is well-seasoned and has an average moisture content of less than 20% to reduce the variations.
The amount of air that is delivered to a fire will also have a significant influence on its energy output and time to burn. The more oxygen that is available, the hotter the fire will burn. When the air supply is limited, however, a wood fire produces less heat and burn at a lower rate.
To increase the time of burning and efficiency to maximize efficiency and burn time, a wood stove fireplace insert should be fitted with an adjustable air damper. Wide open settings allow the fire to use up all oxygen available and will quickly use up the fuel available for use. This is not the case with the fire that is restricted to a limited area, where the fire can not expand as much.
A firewood pile that has been dried properly is crucial for efficient wood burning. Freshly cut wood that hasn't been allowed to dry will contain a lot of water which makes it difficult to burn. For the best performance it is recommended you use only seasoned wood that has been stored outdoors for six to nine month.
Another factor to consider is the BTU content of different types of wood. White pine and spruce may be cheaper than eastern hardwoods, such as shagbark and hickory as well as black locust, however their BTU numbers are higher. This means they'll generate more heat for the same amount of wood. It's important to consider your heating needs and the cost of fuel when selecting your firewood.
Clean Burning
Wood smoke creates indoor air pollutants that irritate the lungs and trigger respiratory distress, particularly for children and seniors. These pollutants include volatile aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) like benzo-a pyrene and formaldehyde and volatile organic compounds like benzene. Volatile Tars (such as creosote) are also released when firewood is burned.
Smoke from poorly-designed wood stoves and fire places can cause poor air quality in the outside by decreasing visibility and causing photochemical pollution. If properly used, however modern combustion technology in clean-burning wood stoves and places can reduce these emissions.
Stage 1 - Vaporization of Moisture: As the log warms it releases water vapour which escapes through the chimney flue. This uses up more energy than if the log was seasoned to dry before burning. This also wastes energy that could be used for heating your home.
These vapors mix in the flue with carbon particles to create smoke. Smoke is one of the major contributors to particulate matter in the air and is one of the main sources of smog we encounter on clear days.
Wood stoves and fireplaces with clean burn technology, if utilized correctly, can dramatically reduce this issue by burning the logs to charcoal state that releases less volatile gases, and creating the majority of the energy in the log from usable heat.
Avoid using damp or sour wood to fuel your fire - it's more difficult to burn and generates much more creosote than well-seasoned wood. Avoid overburdening the stove with brittle and thin woods like pine or fir. They require more energy to burn and create more smoke, which can cause chimney fires.
Always wait until the ashes are cool before handling them. Be sure to keep them in a safe place or dispose of them correctly - ashes can reignite in the presence of water and they can be hazardous in landfills. Instead, make sure to utilize them in your garden or at the house.
Storing, seasoning and properly burning your wood will help you save money and ensure that your stove is operating efficiently. Regularly cleaning your chimney is essential to eliminate creosote, particulates and other deposited matter. This can also stop chimney fires and keep your chimney operating safely.
Safety
There's nothing like a cozy fire to warm up chilly winter nights, but the right safety precautions are essential. If fires are not constructed correctly or left unattended, or if they are burned and a dangerous gas can be released into the home. Creosote also builds up in the chimney. These deposits can clog the flue, inhibit airflow and cause your furnace or wood stove to operate less efficiently.
Never burn treated or painted wood, household garbage, rags, paper and other combustible materials in your wood-burning fireplace or stove. They release toxic gases and may release toxic fumes, like carbon monoxide. Do not use liquids that are flammable as a starter. Gasoline, lighter fluid, and kerosene may cause chimney fires which can increase emissions and create toxic creosote.
Keep combustible objects, such as curtains, furniture 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 should not be touched.
Only use wood that is seasoned in your fireplace or stove. The wood that is seasoned has been dried over the summer months to lessen the amount of moisture. The wood that is damp produces more creosote and smoke, while seasoned logs burn more efficiently and with less mess. The wood that has been seasoned is darker, has cracks along the end grain and sounds hollow when you tap it. Store your wood outside, neatly stacking them with the top covered but allowing air circulation to them.
Be cautious not to over-load your fireplace or stove as appliances that are overloaded produce more smoke and produce less heat. Fires that are overloaded can also produce dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. If you have an older appliance that has an insulated metal liner, check the liner regularly for signs of wear and tear that could cause an explosion in the chimney.
The EPA recommends reducing smoke inside your home by using dry, well-seasoned, split and dry wood and constructing a hot fire with small pieces. Avoid using softer woods, like pine, which are good starting material to get your fire going, but shouldn't be used for anything more than. These softer woods have sap and resin which when burned, releases excessive creosote inside the chimney.
Maintenance
A warm fire in a wood-burning fireplace is a great method to relax during the cold winter nights. It is crucial to maintain your fireplace to ensure that you receive the maximum benefits from your fire. Regular inspections and cleaning of your fireplace will help you to avoid any problems. This prevents the build-up of creosote and helps keep the chimney clean for maximum efficiency.
When wood doesn't burn completely it forms creosote in the chimney. If a significant amount of creosote accumulates, it can cause chimney fires which are the second most common cause of house fires in the United States. The failure of a fireplace to completely burn can be caused by a variety of factors such as dampers that are not properly sealed, cracks in the chimney's liner, and a lack or regular cleaning and removal of ash.
Incorrectly seasoned wood burning stove for shed causes the buildup of creosote in excess. This is because up to half 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 and is released into the air as a part of smoke.
Soot is another noxious product of burning wood. Soot is softer than creosote, however it can adhere to the walls of your fireplace, and block air flow. It is also an ignition hazard since it is a natural igniter when exposed to combustible gases.
The ashes should be removed and store them in a metal ash container, which you should keep outside on a non-flammable surface. The ashes can also serve as sources of nutrients for plants Don't forget to spread them around the backyard!
Make sure you have your fireplace and chimney examined by a Regency Dealer Certified. The technician can check for cracks in the chimney, creosote and soot levels, a properly closed damper and the condition of your catalyst. If you have a double-stage fireplace with an air tube, you should have the catalyst removed and visually checked for obstructions. Check your user manual for directions on how to do this for your specific unit.