What Will Wood Burning Fires Be Like In 100 Years?
Wood Burning Fires Need to Be Hot and Clean
The warmth and ambiance of a wood-burning fireplace is not only soothing and mesmerizing but also essential to our health and well-being. They need to be warm and clean in order to work.
top wood burning stoves , or unseasoned wood, has an excessive amount of moisture, making it difficult to ignite and burn effectively. Kiln dried or seasoned wood has a lower moisture content, making it much easier to light and keep a flame.
Efficient Combustion
The wood fire should be sufficiently hot to eliminate moisture and reach temperatures over 540 deg F. The process of producing heat from secondary combustion begins at around 900 degrees F (in ideal conditions). This is the primary step in efficient combustion of the fuel and reducing pollutants, smoke, and creosote accumulation in the flue.
It is crucial to remember that the temperature required for secondary combustion varies based on the type of fuel and the conditions in the environment. Use seasoned firewood that has less than 20% to limit the variations.
The amount of air that is provided to a flame will also have an important influence on its heat output and burning time. The higher the amount of oxygen available, the hotter 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 limited.
To increase the time of burning and efficiency to maximize efficiency and burn time, a wood stove fireplace insert should be equipped with an adjustable air damper. The wide-open setting gives the fire to take all the oxygen it can get and will quickly drain the fuel supply. This is not the case with a fire that is confined to a small area in which the fire cannot expand as far.
A load of firewood that has been properly dried is essential for efficient wood burning. Freshly cut wood that hasn't been dried will contain a lot of water, making it difficult to burn. It is recommended to only use well-seasoned firewood that has been stored outdoors for six to nine months for optimal performance.
The BTU content of wood is a different factor to take into consideration. White pine and spruce could be cheaper than eastern hardwoods such as shagbark and hickory as well as black locust, however their BTU values are higher. This means that they'll produce more heat from the same amount of wood. This is why it's important to take into consideration your heating requirements and fuel costs when selecting your firewood.
Clean Burning
Wood smoke is a source of indoor air pollutants that can irritate the lungs and can cause respiratory distress, particularly 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 can cause cancer. When wood is burned the volatile tars like creosote also get released.
Smoke from poorly-designed wood stoves and fire places can contribute to poor air quality in the outside by reducing visibility and contributing photochemical pollution. However, new, clean burning fireplaces and wood stoves equipped with modern technology for combustion, when used properly can drastically reduce the emissions.
Stage 1 - Moisture vapourizes: As the log heats up it releases water vapor, which escapes through the chimney flue. This requires more energy than when the log was dried before burning. This is a waste of energy which could be used to warm your home.
These vapors combine in the flue with carbon particles to produce smoke. Smoke is one of the major contributors to particulate matter in the air and is one of the major sources of smog that we encounter on clear days.
If properly used, wood stoves and fireplaces using clean burn technology can help reduce the risk of this issue by converting the logs to a charcoal-like state, which releases less volatile gasses and releases the majority of the energy produced by the log as usable heat.
Avoid using damp, sour or rotten wood to ignite your fire. It's harder to burn and produces more creosote. Don't over-load your stove with soft and thin wood like pine or fir It takes more energy to burn them and they produce more smoke which can cause chimney fires.
Use a bucket made of steel to scoop ashes from the stove, and wait until they cool before handling them. Be sure to store or dispose of them correctly as ashes can ignite if exposed to water, and they are hazardous in landfills. Use them in your garden or at home instead.
Properly storing, seasoning and burning your wood correctly will save you money on fuel and keep your stove running efficiently. Regularly cleaning your chimney is crucial to get rid of creosote, particulates and other debris that has been deposited. This can also stop chimney fires as well as ensure safe operation.
Safety
There's nothing like a cozy fire to warm up chilly winter evenings, but proper safety precautions are required. When fires are improperly built or burned, or left unattended, dangerous fumes can escape into the home, and potentially dangerous creosote deposits may build up inside the chimney. These deposits can clog the flue, impede the flow of air and cause your furnace or wood stove to work less efficiently.
Do not burn treated, painted, or household trash in your wood-burning stove or fireplace. They could release toxic fumes such as carbon dioxide and produce toxic gases. Don't use explosive liquids to ignite fires. Gasoline, lighter fluid and kerosene can cause chimney fires which can increase emissions and create toxic creosote.
Keep flammable materials like furniture, curtains, and even toys, a safe distance from your stove or fireplace. Do not hang clothes near or on your fireplace with wood burning. Children should be taught that the fireplace is hot and shouldn't be touched.
Only use wood that is seasoned in your stove or fireplace. Seasoned wood has been dried during the summer months to reduce moisture content. Wet woods produce more smoke and creosote whereas seasoned logs burn much more efficiently and cleanly. Seasoned wood looks darker and cracks appear in the end grain and is hollow when tapping. Store your logs outdoors stacked neatly with the top securing with a breathable air circulate around them.
Overloaded indoor wood burning stove produce more smoke and less warmth. Overloaded fires may also produce dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. If you own an older appliance with a metal lining, inspect the liner frequently for signs of wear and tear that can cause a chimney fire.
The EPA recommends using split, dry and well-seasoned wood to reduce the amount of smoke that your home produces. Build a hot fire using small pieces. Avoid using softer woods like pine, which are good for starting your fire going, but should not be used for anything more than. These softer woods contain sap and resin that burns, if burned, will create an excessive amount of creosote in the chimney.
Maintenance
A warm evening in front of a wood-burning fireplace is a wonderful way to spend winter nights. But, it is essential to maintain your fireplace to ensure that you get the most benefits from your fire. Regular inspections and cleaning of your fireplace will allow you avoid any issues. This maintenance prevents excessive creosote and keeps the chimney clear to ensure maximum efficiency.
If wood doesn't completely burn and creosote builds up in the chimney. When a lot of creosote builds up, it can lead to chimney fires. These are the second most common cause of fires in homes across the United States. A number of issues can contribute to a fire's failure to burn completely, including dampers that are not properly sealed and cracks in the chimney liner as well as a lack of regular cleaning and removal of ash.
Incorrectly seasoned wood causes the buildup of creosote in excess. This is due to the fact that up to half of the weight of a piece wood is water. The water is heated during the fire and releases heat. It also consumes energy. The water vapor that is created then condenses into creosote or is released into the air as part of smoke.
Another hazard of burning wood is soot. Soot, though less dense than creosote, is able to block airflow and stick to the walls. It also poses an ignition hazard since it easily ignites when exposed to gases that are combustible.
Take the ashes out of your fireplace and place them in an ash bucket made of metal. Keep it 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!
Regularly have your fireplace and chimney checked by a Regency Dealer certified. The technician will be able to 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 chimney that includes an air tube, you must remove the catalyst and visually checked for blockages. Check your user manual for instructions on how to accomplish this for your specific unit.
