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Wood Burning Fires Need to Be Hot and Clean Wood burning fires are not just a relaxing and enchanting experience they're also a vital element of our wellbeing and health. They should be hot and clean to function. Green wood, also known as unseasoned wood has an excessive amount of moisture, making it difficult to ignite and burn effectively. Kiln dried or seasoned wood has a low moisture content, making it easier to ignite and maintain a fire. Efficient Combustion A wood fire needs to be hot enough to push out moisture and reach temperatures of 540 deg F ( The heat-producing process of secondary combustion begins at around 900 degrees F (in ideal conditions). This is the most important step in efficient combustion of the fuel and minimizing pollutants, smoke, and creosote buildup in the flue. It is vital to realize that the temperature needed for secondary combustion is contingent on the type of fuel used and the conditions around it. Make sure to use firewood that is seasoned and has a less than 20% to limit these variations. Additionally, the amount of air that is supplied to a fire can significantly impact the amount of heat produced and time to burn. The higher the amount of oxygen available, the hotter a fire will burn and the shorter its burn time. A wood fire produces less energy and burn at a slower rate when the air supply is restricted. To increase the time of burning and efficiency to maximize efficiency and burn time, a wood stove fireplace insert must be equipped with an adjustable air damper. The wide-open setting gives the fire to get all the oxygen it needs and quickly drain the fuel supply. This is not the case with the fire that is restricted to a small area in which the fire cannot expand as far. A well-dried load of firewood is also crucial to efficient wood burning. Wood that is freshly cut and isn't dried will have a high water content which makes it difficult to burn. It is recommended to use only well-seasoned firewood that has been stored outdoors for six to nine months for the best performance. The BTU content of wood is another factor to consider. White pine and spruce might be more affordable than eastern hardwoods like shagbark, hickory, and black locust, but their BTU values are greater. This means that they will produce more heat for the same amount of wood. This is why it's crucial to think about your heating needs and the cost of fuel when choosing your firewood. Clean Burning Wood smoke can trigger indoor air pollution that can cause irritation to lungs and respiratory distress in children and seniors. These pollutants include volatile aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) such as benzo-a-pyrene and formaldehyde and volatile organic compounds like benzene. When wood is burned the volatile tars like creosote are also released. Smoke from poorly-designed wood fireplaces and stoves can contribute to poor air quality outside by reducing visibility and contributing photochemical smog. When used correctly, however, modern combustion technology in new wood stoves that burn clean and in fire places can help reduce the emissions. Stage 1 – Vaporization Moisture: As the log heats it releases water vapour which escapes through the chimney flue. This is more energy-intensive than it would have when the log was dried to dry prior to burning. This also wastes energy that could be put to use to heat your home. The vapors in the flue with carbon particles to produce smoke. Smoke is one of the major sources of particulate matter and smog that is found in the air. Fireplaces and wood stoves equipped with clean burn technology, if utilized correctly, can dramatically reduce the risk of this by converting the wood to the state of charcoal that releases less volatile gases, as well as producing the majority of the energy in the log from usable heat. Avoid using damp or sour wood for your fire as it is more difficult to burn and creates much more creosote than well-seasoned wood. Do not overload your stove with brittle and thin woods like fir or pine. click the up coming post require more energy to burn and produce more smoke, which could cause chimney fires. Always wait until the ashes have cool before handling them. Dispose of or store ashes correctly. They are able to ignite again when exposed to water and are dangerous to dispose of in landfills. Use them in your garden or at your home. Storing, seasoning and correctly burning your wood can help you save money and ensure your stove runs efficiently. Cleaning your chimney regularly is crucial to get rid of creosote, particulates, and other deposited matter. This will also prevent chimney fires and maintain safe operation. Safety It's difficult to beat a warm fire on a chilly winter night however, precautions for safety should be taken. When fires are built incorrectly, left unattended or burned the risk of dangerous fumes entering the home. Creosote also builds up in the chimney. These deposits can block the chimney and restrict the flow of air, making your wood stove or furnace not to work as effectively. Never burn treated or painted wood, household waste paper, rags, or other combustible materials in your wood-burning stove or fireplace. They can release toxic fumes such as carbon dioxide and create toxic gases. Also, avoid using explosive liquids to ignite fires. Kerosene, gasoline and lighter fluids can cause an increase in emissions, create toxic creosote and could cause chimney fires. Keep combustible objects, such as furniture, curtains and toys away from your fireplace or stove. Never hang clothing near or on your wood-burning fireplace. Children should be taught that the fireplace is extremely hot and shouldn't be touched. Only use wood that is seasoned in your stove or fireplace. The wood that is seasoned has been dried during the summer months to lessen the moisture. The wood that is damp produces more smoke and creosote while seasoned logs burn more efficiently and cleanly. The wood that is seasoned appears darker and has cracks in the end grain and sounds hollow when it is tapped. Store your wood outside, neatly stacked and with the top partially covered but still allowing air circulation around them. Overloaded appliances produce more smoke and less warmth. Overloaded fires may also produce dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. If you own an older appliance that has an aluminum liner, be sure to check it frequently for signs of wear. This could cause a chimney fire. The EPA recommends reducing smoke in your home by using dry, split, and well-seasoned wood, and then constructing a warm fire using small pieces. Avoid soft woods such as pine. Pine is a great starting material for a fire, but shouldn't be used beyond that. These soft woods contain resin and sap, which, when burnt, deposits too much creosote in the chimney. Maintenance A warm flame in a wood burning fireplace is a great way to warm up during the cold winter nights. It is important to keep your fireplace in good condition to make the most of it. Regularly cleaning and inspecting your fireplace is the best way to avoid problems that may arise. This maintenance prevents excessive creosote and keeps the chimney clear for maximum efficiency. Creosote, a dark, hard, flammable substance that develops in the flue when wood doesn't burn completely. If a substantial amount of creosote is accumulated, it can trigger chimney fires which are the second leading cause of house fires in the United States. The failure of a fireplace to fully burn is caused by a variety of factors, including improperly closed dampers or cracks in the chimney's liner as well as a lack of regular cleaning and ash removal. Wood that is not properly seasoned can cause the buildup of creosote in excess. Water can comprise half of the weight of a wood piece. The water is heated during the fire and releases heat. It also consumes energy. 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 byproduct of burning wood. Soot, while softer than creosote, is able to block airflow and stick to the walls. It also poses an hazard to fire because it is easily ignited when exposed to gasses that ignite. The ashes should be removed and store them in a metal ash bucket, 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 yard! You should have a Certified Regency Dealer inspect your chimney and fireplace on a regular basis. The technician can check for cracks in the chimney, soot and creosote levels, a properly shut damper, and the condition of your catalyst. If you have a two-stage fireplace which has an air tube, the catalyst should be removed and visually checked for obstructions. Check your user's manual to find out the procedure for your fireplace.