Wood Burning Fires Need to Be Hot and Clean
Wood-burning fires aren't only relaxing and captivating they're also a vital element of our health and well-being. They should be hot and clean to work.
Green wood, also known as unseasoned wood, has high levels of moisture which makes it difficult to ignite and burn efficiently. Seasoned, or kiln dried wood has a lower moisture content and is more easy to ignite and burn for longer.
Efficient Combustion
A wood fire has to be hot enough to push out water and reach temperatures that are above 540 deg F ( The process of producing heat from secondary combustion begins at 900 degrees F (in ideal conditions). This is the most important step in efficiently burning fuel while reducing pollution and smoke that enters the flue.
It is crucial to understand that the temperature needed to ignite the secondary combustion process is dependent on the kind of fuel used and the surrounding conditions. The best method to reduce these variations is by using dry firewood that is seasoned and has an average moisture content of less than 20%.
The quantity of air being supplied to a fire will also have an important influence on its heat output and burning time. The greater the oxygen supply, the hotter a fire will burn and the shorter its burn duration. When the air supply is insufficient, a wood fire will produce less heat and will burn at a slower rate.
To ensure maximum burn time and efficiency To maximize the efficiency and time of burn, 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 the oxygen available and quickly exhaust the fuel that is usable. The converse is true of a fire that is confined to a smaller area where the fire can not expand as far.
A load of firewood that is well-dried is also crucial for efficient wood burning. When wood is freshly cut and hasn't had the chance to dry out it will have a high water content, which could make it difficult for logs to burn. It is recommended to only use well-seasoned firewood that has been stored outdoors for a period of six to nine months for optimal performance.
british wood burning stoves to consider is the BTU content of various types of wood. For example, white pine or spruce trees might be cheaper than eastern hardwoods such as black locust or shagbark, but the BTU values of the latter are much more, meaning they provide more heat for the same amount of wood. This is the reason it's important to take into consideration your heating requirements and fuel costs when selecting your firewood.
Clean Burning
Wood smoke produces indoor air pollutants that can irritate the lungs and can cause respiratory distress, particularly for children and seniors. These pollutants include volatile aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) such as benzo-a-pyrene and formaldehyde as well as volatile organic compounds such as benzene. When firewood is smuggled into the air, volatile tars such as creosote can also be released.
Smoke from poorly designed wood stoves and fire places could contribute to poor air quality outside, making it harder to see and causing photochemical pollution. However, modern clean burning fireplaces and wood stoves equipped with modern technology for combustion, when used correctly can significantly reduce the emission.
Stage 1 - Moisture Vaporizes: As the log heats up, it releases water vapor that escapes down the chimney flue. This consumes more energy than it would when the log was dried to dry prior to burning. It also wastes energy that could be used for heating your home.
In the flue, the vapors mix with carbon particles to create smoke. Smoke is among the main sources of particulate matter and smog that is found in the air.
If properly used, wood stoves and fireplaces that use clean burn technology can help reduce this problem significantly by burning the logs into charcoal-like conditions, which releases less volatile gasses and releases the majority of the energy produced by the logs as usable heat.
Avoid using damp or sour wood to fuel your fire because it's more difficult to burn and creates lots of creosote compared to well-seasoned wood. Don't overload the stove with thin and soft woods like pine or fir. They require more energy to burn and generate more smoke, which can cause chimney fires.
Always wait until the ashes are cool before handling them. Dispose of or store ashes in a safe manner. They could ignite again if exposed to water and are dangerous to dispose of 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 working efficiently. Cleaning your chimney regularly is crucial to get rid of creosote and particulates as well as other debris that has been deposited. This will also prevent chimney fires as well as ensure safe operation.
Safety
There's nothing better than a warm fire to keep warm during cold winter evenings, but proper safety precautions are essential. When fires are improperly built or tended to, or left unattended, hazardous fumes can escape into the house and creosote deposits can build up within the chimney. These deposits could block the chimney and restrict airflow, causing your furnace or wood stove not to function as effectively.
Never burn painted or treated wood, household waste paper, rags, and other combustible materials inside your wood-burning fireplace or stove. They can emit toxic fumes, such as carbon dioxide and create toxic gasses. Also, avoid using explosive liquids to ignite fires. Gasoline, lighter fluid, and kerosene may cause chimney fires that can cause emissions to rise 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 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 stove or fireplace. The wood that is seasoned has been dried out over the summer months to lessen the moisture. The wood that is damp produces more smoke and creosote while seasoned logs burn more efficiently and with less mess. Seasoned wood looks darker, has cracks in the end grain and sounds hollow when it is tapped. Keep your logs outside stacked neatly with the top covered with a breathable air circulate around them.
Overloaded appliances produce more smoke, but less warmth. Overloaded fires can also generate unsafe carbon monoxide levels. If you have an older appliance that has a metal lining, inspect the liner on a regular basis for signs of wear and tear that could cause an explosion in the chimney.
The EPA suggests using dry, split and well-seasoned wood in order to minimize smoke in your home. Make a fire using small pieces. Avoid using soft woods such as pine. Pine is a great starter material for the fire, but it shouldn't be used beyond that. These soft woods contain sap and resin which, when burnt, deposits excessive creosote into the chimney.
Maintenance
A warm evening in front of a fireplace that is wood-burning is a great way to enjoy the winter evenings. It is crucial to maintain your fireplace to ensure that you receive the maximum benefit from your fire. Regular cleaning and inspection of your fireplace is the best way to avoid any issues that might develop. This prevents the accumulation of creosote buildup and keeps the chimney clear for maximum efficiency.
When wood doesn't burn completely and creosote builds up in the chimney. 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. A variety of issues could cause a fire to fully burn, such as dampers that are improperly closed and cracks in the chimney liner as well as a lack of regular cleaning and the removal of ash.
Incorrectly seasoned wood contributes to the accumulation of creosote to an excessive degree. This is because up to half the weight of a piece of wood is water. When the fire is burning, this water boils and releases heat but it also consumes energy during the process. The water vapor resulting from the process is then absorbed as creosote or released into the atmosphere as part of the smoke.
Soot is a different harmful byproduct from burning wood. Soot is more pliable than creosote. However, it can stick to the walls of your fireplace and block air circulation. It could also pose a fire hazard because it can ignite easily when exposed to gasses that are combustible.
You should remove the ashes and store them in a metal ash bucket that you can keep outside on a nonflammable surface. find out here can also be used as an energy source for plants So don't forget to spread them out across the backyard!
Regularly have your fireplace and chimney examined by a Regency Dealer Certified. The technician will look for cracks, creosote levels, soot levels and a damper that is shut properly and the condition of the catalyst. If you have a two-stage chimney that has an air tube, the catalyst should be removed and checked visually for blockages. Consult your user manual to find out the procedure for your fireplace.