Wood Burning Fires Need to Be Hot and Clean
The warmth and ambience of wood-burning fires are not just relaxing and captivating but also essential to our health and well-being. But, they must be clean and hot to function effectively.
Green wood, or unseasoned wood, has a high moisture content, making it difficult to ignite and burn effectively. Kiln dried or seasoned wood has a lower moisture content, making it much easier to ignite and maintain a fire.
Efficient Combustion
A wood fire has to be sufficiently hot to draw out moisture and reach temperatures of 540 degrees F ( The process of producing heat in secondary combustion begins at around 900 degrees F (in ideal conditions). This is the first step in efficiently burning fuel and minimizing pollutants and smoke in the flue.
It is important to know that the temperature required to ignite the secondary combustion process is dependent on the type of fuel and the environment. The best method to reduce the variations is to use seasoned firewood with a moisture content below 20%.
Additionally, indoor wood burner of air that is supplied to the fire can have a significant impact on its heat output and burn time. The more oxygen available, the more hot the fire will burn. When the air supply is limited, however, a wood fire produces less heat and burn at a lower rate.
To increase the time of burning and efficiency To maximize the efficiency and time of burn, a wood stove or fireplace insert should be fitted with an adjustable air damper. The wide-open setting allows the fire to take all the oxygen it needs and will quickly drain the fuel supply. The reverse is true for the fire that is restricted to a smaller area in which the fire cannot expand as far.
A firewood pile that is well-dried is also essential for efficient wood burning. If wood is cut fresh and hasn't had the chance to dry it will have a high levels of water, which can be difficult for logs to burn. To ensure optimal performance, it is recommended that you use only seasoned wood that has been stored outdoors 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 cheaper than eastern hardwoods, such as black locust or shagbark, but the BTU values of the latter are more, meaning they provide more heat for the same amount of wood. It's important to take into account your heating needs and fuel costs when selecting your firewood.
Clean Burning
Wood smoke can create indoor air pollution, which can cause irritation to lungs and respiratory distress in seniors and children. These pollutants include volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like benzene and formaldehyde, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzo-a-pyrene, which can cause cancer. Volatile tars (such as creosote) are also released when firewood burns.
Smoke from poorly-designed wood stoves and fire places can cause poor air quality outside by reducing visibility and contributing photochemical pollution. When used correctly however modern combustion technology in new clean-burning wood stoves and fire places can reduce these emissions.
Stage 1 - Vaporization of moisture: As the log gets warmer, it releases water vapour, which escapes through the chimney flue. This is more energy-intensive than it would had the log been seasoned to dry before burning. This also wastes energy that could be used for warming your home.
In the flue, these vapors combine with carbon particles and form smoke. Smoke is one of the main sources of particulate matter and smog that is found in the air.
If properly used, wood stoves and fireplaces using clean burn technology can reduce the risk of this issue by burning the logs into charcoal-like conditions, which releases less volatile gasses and generates the majority of the energy produced by the log into usable heat.
Avoid using damp, sour or rotten wood to light your fire. It is more difficult to burn and creates more creosote. Also, don't overload your stove with thin and soft wood such as fir or pine It takes more energy to burn them and they also produce more smoke that can cause chimney fires.
Use a bucket made of steel to remove ashes from the stove, and always wait for them to cool before handling them. Keep or dispose of ashes correctly. They could ignite again if exposed to water, and are hazardous in landfills. Make use of them in your garden or at your home.
Storing, seasoning and correctly burning your wood can help you save money and keep your stove running efficiently. Cleaning wood burning stove for shed is important to remove creosote and particulates as well as other deposited matter. This can also stop chimney fires and keep your chimney operating safely.
Safety
It's hard to beat a warm fireplace in the winter cold however, precautions for safety should be taken. When fires are built incorrectly, left unattended or burned and a dangerous gas can be released into the home. Creosote can also build up in the chimney. These deposits can clog the flue, inhibit airflow and cause your wood stove or furnace to operate less efficiently.
Never burn painted or treated wood, household waste paper, rags, and other combustible materials inside your wood-burning stove or fireplace. They emit noxious gases and may release toxic fumes such as carbon monoxide. Do not use the flammable liquids for a fire starter. Kerosene, gasoline and lighter fluid can increase emissions, produce toxic creosote, and even cause chimney fires.
Keep combustibles, like furniture, curtains and toys, in a safe distance from your fireplace or stove. Don't hang clothes near your wood burning fireplace. Children should be taught that the fireplace is hot and should not be touched.
Only use seasoned wood in your stove or fireplace. The wood that has been seasoned has been dried over the summer months to lessen the amount of moisture. The wood that is damp produces more smoke and creosote while seasoned logs burn more efficiently and cleanly. Seasoned wood looks darker, has cracks in the end grain and is hollow when tapped. Keep your wood outside, neatly stacked with the top covered but allowing air circulation around them.
Be cautious not to overload your stove or fireplace because overloaded appliances produce more smoke and less heat. Fires that are overloaded can also create 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 lead to a chimney fire.
The EPA recommends reducing smoke in your home by using dry, well-seasoned, split and dry wood and building a hot fire using small pieces. Avoid using softer woods such as pine, which are good starting material to get your fire up and running but shouldn't be used for anything more than. These woods with sap and resin which when burned, releases excessive creosote inside the chimney.
Maintenance
A warm fire in a wood-burning fireplace is the perfect way to warm up during the cold nights of winter. But, it is essential to maintain your fireplace in order to ensure that you receive the maximum benefit from your fire. Regular cleaning and inspections of your fireplace can help you to avoid any problems. This maintenance prevents excessive creosote and helps keep the chimney clean for maximum efficiency.
If wood doesn't completely burn it forms creosote in the chimney. When a lot of creosote accumulates it can cause chimney fires. They are the second most common cause of fires in homes across the United States. The inability of a fire to burn completely can be caused by a number of causes including dampers that aren't properly closed, cracks in the liner of the chimney as well as a lack of regular cleaning and removal of ash.
Creosote can build up excessively when wood is not properly seasoned. This is because nearly half the weight of a piece of wood is water. When the fire is burning it boils and releases heat but it also consumes energy in the process. The water vapor produced is then absorbed into creosote or is released into the air as part of smoke.
Soot is another noxious byproduct of burning wood. Soot, while softer than creosote can block airflow and stick to walls. It is also an ignition risk since it can ignite easily when exposed to combustible gases.
The ashes should be removed and put them in a metal ash container that you keep outside on a non-flammable surface. The ashes can also be used as an energy source for plants So don't forget to spread them around the lawn!
It is recommended that a Certified Regency Dealer inspect your chimney and fireplace on a regular basis. The technician can check for cracks in the chimney, creosote and soot levels, a properly closed damper and the condition of your catalyst. If you have a two-stage fireplace that includes an air tube, the catalyst should be removed and visually checked for obstructions. Consult your user's manual for directions on how to accomplish this for your specific unit.