Why You Should Focus On Enhancing Wood Burning Fires
Wood Burning Fires Need to Be Hot and Clean
The warmth and ambiance of wood-burning fires is not just soothing and enchanting but is also vital to our health and well-being. They need to be warm and clean to be effective.
Unseasoned, or green, wood has a high moisture content which makes it difficult to burn and light efficiently. The seasoned, or kiln dried wood has a lower moisture content and is easier to ignite and burn for longer.
Efficient Combustion
The fire in the wood must be sufficiently hot to eliminate water and reach temperatures that exceed 540 degrees F. The heat-producing process of secondary combustion starts at 900 degrees F (in ideal conditions). This is the most important process for efficient combustion of the fuel and minimizing pollutants smoke, creosote, and accumulation in the flue.
It is important to note that the temperature required for secondary combustion varies with the type of fuel and the conditions of the environment. Choose firewood that is well-seasoned and has less than 20% to reduce these variations.
In addition, the amount of air that is supplied to the fire can greatly affect its heat output and burn time. The more oxygen available, the faster the fire will burn. If the supply of air is insufficient, a wood fire produces less heat and burn slower.
To ensure maximum burn time and efficiency, a wood stove or fireplace insert must be equipped with an adjustable air damper. The wide-open setting gives the fire to take all the oxygen it needs and will quickly drain the fuel supply. The reverse is true for an area that is limited to a smaller area in which the fire cannot expand as far.
A well-dried firewood load is also essential for efficient wood burning. When wood is freshly cut and hasn't had the chance to dry, it will have high levels of water, which may make it difficult to burn. For optimal performance it is recommended you only use seasoned wood that has been stored outside for six to nine months.
The BTU content of wood is a different factor to consider. For instance, white pine or spruce trees may be less expensive than eastern hardwoods, such as black locust or shagbark, however the BTU values of the latter are more, meaning they offer more heat for the same amount of wood. This is why it's crucial to consider your heating requirements and the cost of fuel when choosing your firewood.
Clean Burning
Wood smoke creates indoor air pollutants that irritate the lungs and can cause respiratory distress, particularly for children and seniors. wood burning stoves near me comprise volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like benzene and formaldehyde, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, like benzo-a-pyrene, that can cause cancer. When firewood is burned the volatile tars like creosote can also be released.
Smoke from old, poorly designed fireplaces and wood stoves can contribute to poor outdoor air quality, decreasing visibility and causing photochemical smog. However, new, clean burning wood stoves and fireplaces that incorporate modern combustion technology when used properly can significantly reduce the emission.
Stage 1 - Vaporization of moisture: As the log warms, it releases water vapour, which escapes through the chimney flue. This takes more energy than if the log had been dried before burning. This is a waste of energy that could be used to warm your home.
These vapors mix 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 main sources of smog that we see on clear days.
Fireplaces and wood stoves that use clean burn technology, when used correctly, can significantly reduce this problem by burning the logs to a charcoal state that releases less volatile gasses, and producing 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 harder to burn and creates more creosote. Don't over-load your stove with thin and soft wood like pine or fir as it requires more energy to burn them and they create more smoke, which can lead to 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 properly - ashes can reignite if exposed to water, and they can be hazardous in landfills. Use them in your garden or at home instead.
Properly storing, seasoning and burning your wood properly will save you money on fuel and ensure that your stove is working efficiently. It is also important to clean your chimney regularly to remove deposited creosote and particles, as well as prevent chimney fires and ensure safe operation.
Safety
There's nothing like a cozy fire to keep warm during cold winter nights, but the right safety precautions are required. When fires are improperly built or burned, or left unattended, dangerous fumes could be released into the house and creosote deposits can build up inside the chimney. These deposits can block the flue, block airflow, and cause your furnace or wood stove to run less efficiently.
Never burn treated or painted wood, household garbage paper, rags, and other combustible materials inside your wood-burning stove or fireplace. They release toxic fumes like carbon dioxide, and release toxic gasses. Also, avoid using flammable liquids to start fires. Kerosene, gasoline and lighter fluids can cause an increase in emissions, produce toxic creosote and could cause chimney fires.
Keep combustible objects, such as furniture, curtains, and even toys away from your fireplace or stove. Never hang clothing on or near your wood burning fireplace. Children should be taught that the fireplace is very hot and shouldn't be touched.
Only use wood that is seasoned in your stove or fireplace. Seasoned wood is dried during the summer months to decrease the moisture content. The wood that is damp produces more creosote and smoke, however, seasoned logs burn more efficiently and cleanly. The wood that is seasoned appears darker and has cracks in the end grain, and makes a hollow sound when tapped. Keep your logs outside, neatly stacked and with the top covered but allowing air circulation to them.
Be careful not to over-load your stove or fireplace, as overloaded appliances generate more smoke and produce less heat. In addition, overloaded fires can produce dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. If you have an older appliance with an aluminum liner, be sure to check it regularly for indications of wear. This can lead to a chimney fire.
The EPA recommends using split, dry and well-seasoned wood to minimize the amount of smoke that your home produces. Build a hot fire by using small pieces. Avoid using softer woods like pine, which are good starting material to get your fire up and running, but should not be used for anything more than. These softer woods have resin and sap that when burned, releases too much creosote in the chimney.
Maintenance
The warmth of a fireplace with wood is a great way to spend winter evenings. It is essential to maintain your fireplace in order to get the most enjoyment of it. Regularly cleaning and inspecting your fireplace is the best method to avoid problems that may occur. This prevents excessive creosote buildup and keeps the chimney clean to ensure maximum efficiency.
When wood doesn't burn completely and creosote builds up in the chimney. When a lot of creosote is accumulated it can result in chimney fires. These are the second most frequent cause of fires in homes across the United States. A variety of issues could contribute to a fire's failure to burn completely, including dampers that are improperly closed, cracks in the chimney liner as well as a lack of regular cleaning and removal of ash.
Creosote may build up excessively when wood isn't properly treated. Water could comprise up to half of the weight of a wooden piece. In the course of a fire, this water boils and releases heat but it also consumes energy in the process. The water vapor resulting from the process is then condensed as creosote or released into the atmosphere as part of the smoke.
Soot is another harmful byproduct of burning wood. Soot is less brittle than creosote, however it can stick to the walls of your fireplace, and block air flow. It is also a fire hazard because it easily ignites when exposed to combustible gases.
Take the ashes out of your fireplace and put them in an ash bucket made of metal. Keep it outside on an unflammable surface. contemporary wood burners can also be used as an energy source for plants, so don't forget to spread them out across the backyard!
It is recommended that a Certified Regency Dealer inspect your chimney and fireplace on a regular basis. The technician can look for cracks, creosote levels, soot levels as well as a properly shut damper and the condition of the catalyst. If you have a two-stage fireplace that includes an air tube the catalyst must be removed and visually checked for obstructions. Refer to the user manual to learn how to do this for your particular unit.