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Wood Burning Fires Need to Be Hot and Clean
Wood-burning fires aren't only relaxing and captivating, but they're a critical part of our health and well-being. They need to be warm and clean in order to be effective.
Green, or unseasoned, wood is very moist that makes it challenging to ignite and burn effectively. Kiln dried or seasoned wood has a lower moisture content, making it much easier to ignite and maintain a flame.
Efficient Combustion
The wood fire must be hot enough to eliminate water and reach temperatures that exceed 540 degrees F. 900 deg F in ideal conditions) in ideal conditions) where the secondary combustion process starts. This is the key step to efficiently burning fuel and minimizing pollutants and smoke in the flue.
It is important to keep in mind that the temperature required for secondary combustion varies based on the type of fuel used and the conditions of the environment. The best way to minimize the variations is to use well-seasoned firewood that has less than 20%.
The quantity of air being delivered to a fire will also have a significant impact on its energy output and time to burn. The higher the amount of oxygen available, the hotter a fire can burn and the shorter its burn duration. A wood fire produces less energy and burn at a slower rate when the air supply is limited.
To ensure maximum burn time and efficiency, a wood stove or fireplace insert must be equipped with an adjustable air damper. A wide open setting allows the fire to use up all of its available oxygen and quickly exhaust the fuel that is usable. 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 for efficient wood burning. Freshly cut wood that hasn't been dried will contain a lot of water which makes it difficult to burn. It is recommended to only use seasoned firewood that has been stored outdoors for a period of six to nine months for the best performance.
The BTU content of wood is a different factor to take into consideration. White pine and spruce might be less expensive than eastern hardwoods like shagbark, hickory, and black locust, but their BTU numbers are higher. This means that they'll generate more heat for the same amount of wood. It is crucial to take into account your heating needs and fuel costs when choosing your firewood.
Clean Burning
Wood smoke can create indoor air pollution that can cause irritation to lungs and respiratory discomfort in senior citizens and children. These pollutants include volatile aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) like benzo-a pyrene and formaldehyde, as well as volatile organic compounds, such as benzene. Volatile tars (such as creosote) are also released when firewood is burned.
Smoke from old, poorly designed fireplaces and wood stoves can contribute to poor outdoor air quality by decreasing visibility and causing photochemical smog. However, new, clean burning wood stoves and fireplaces equipped with modern technology for combustion, when used correctly, can greatly reduce the emissions.
Stage 1 - Vaporization moisture: As the wood gets warmer, it releases water vapour that escapes through the chimney flue. This consumes more energy than it would have when the log was dried to dry before burning. It also consumes energy that could be used for warming your home.
In the flue, the vapors mix with carbon particles and form smoke. Smoke is one of the major contributors to particulate matter in the air and is among the major sources of smog that we encounter on clear days.
If properly used when used correctly, wood stoves and fireplaces that utilize clean burn technology can reduce this problem significantly by converting the logs to charcoal-like conditions that releases less volatile gasses and generates the majority of the energy produced by the log as usable heat.
Avoid using damp, sour or decayed wood to ignite your fire. It's more difficult to burn and generates more creosote. Also, don't overload your stove with thin and soft wood like pine or fir as it requires more energy to burn them, and they produce more smoke, which can lead to chimney fires.
Use a metal bucket to remove ashes from the stove, and always wait for them to cool before handling them. Be sure to keep them in a safe place or dispose of them properly - ashes can reignite if exposed to water, and they are hazardous in landfills. Instead, you should utilize them in your garden or around the house.
Properly conserving, securing and burning your wood properly will save you money on fuel and will keep your stove functioning efficiently. It is also essential to clean your chimney regularly to remove creosote that has been deposited and particles, as well as prevent chimney fires and maintain the safety of your operation.
Safety
There's nothing like a warm fire to keep warm during cold winter evenings, but proper safety precautions are essential. If fires are not constructed correctly and left unattended or burnt, dangerous fumes can enter the home. Creosote can also build up in the chimney. These deposits can block the chimney and restrict the flow of air, making your furnace or wood stove to not work as efficiently.
Never burn treated or painted wood, household trash paper, rags, or other combustible substances in your wood-burning stove or fireplace. They emit noxious gasses and release toxic fumes, such as carbon monoxide. Don't use flammable liquids to start fires. Gasoline, lighter fluid, and kerosene may cause fires in chimneys, increase emissions, and produce toxic creosote.
Keep combustibles such as furniture or curtains, as well as toys, at a safe distance from your stove or fireplace. Never hang clothing on or near your fireplace that is wood burning. Make sure that children understand that the fireplace is hot and should not be touched.
Make sure to use only wood that has been seasoned for your stove or fireplace. The wood that has been seasoned has been dried out over the summer months to reduce the moisture. Wet woods emit more smoke and creosote. On the other hand, mature logs are more efficient and cleaner. Seasoned wood is darker and has cracks along the end grain, and sounds hollow when you tap it. Store your logs outdoors stacked neatly, with the top covered with a breathable air circulate around them.
Be careful not to overload your fireplace or stove as appliances that are overloaded produce more smoke and less heat. Overloaded fires may also produce dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. If you own an older appliance with an aluminum liner, be sure to check it frequently for indications of wear. This can lead to an explosion in the chimney.
The EPA recommends using split, dry and well-seasoned wood in order to help reduce the amount of smoke that your home produces. Make small wood burning heater using small pieces. Avoid using softer woods such as pine, which can be a good for starting your fire going, but shouldn't be used for anything other than. These softer woods have sap and resin which is a result of burning, and deposits too much creosote in the chimney.
Maintenance
A warm evening in front of a wood-burning fireplace is a great way to enjoy the winter evenings. It is essential to maintain the fireplace to get the most enjoyment of it. Regular cleaning and inspection of your fireplace is the best method to avoid any issues that might arise. This prevents creosote buildup and keeps the chimney clear to ensure maximum efficiency.
Creosote, a dark, crusty flammable material that forms in the flue when wood doesn't burn completely. When a large amount of creosote accumulates, it can lead to chimney fires. They are the second most common cause of fires in homes across the United States. The failure of a fire to fully burn is caused by a number of factors, including improperly closed dampers or cracks in the liner of the chimney, and a lack or regular cleaning and removal of ash.
Creosote may build up excessively when wood isn't properly seasoned. This is due to the fact that up to half of the weight of a piece wood is water. When the fire is burning, this water boils and releases heat but it also consumes energy in the process. The water vapor resulting from the process is then absorbed as creosote or released into the atmosphere as part of the smoke.
Another harmful byproduct of burning wood is soot. Soot is less brittle than creosote, however it can stick to the walls of your fireplace, and block air flow. It is also an ignition hazard since it is easily ignited when exposed to gases that are combustible.
Take the ashes out of your fireplace and put them in an ash container made of metal. Keep it outside on a non-flammable surface. The ashes can also be used as a source of nutrients for plants So don't forget to spread them out across the backyard!
Make sure you have your fireplace and chimney examined by a Regency Dealer certified. The technician will be able to look for cracks in the chimney, creosote and soot levels, a properly sealed damper and also the condition of your catalyst. If you have a two-stage fireplace that has an air tube, the catalyst should be removed and checked visually for obstructions. Consult your user manual to find out how to do it for your fireplace.