Are You Getting The Most From Your Wood Burning Fires?

Wood Burning Fires Need to Be Hot and Clean

The warmth and ambiance of wood-burning fires are not just soothing and enchanting, but also essential to our health and well-being. However, they must be clean and hot to function effectively.

Green, or unseasoned cheap wood burner has a high moisture content which makes it difficult to burn and light efficiently. Kiln dried or seasoned large wood burning stove has a low moisture content, making it much easier to light and keep a flame.

Efficient Combustion

A wood fire needs to be hot enough to push out moisture and reach temperatures of 540 deg F ( 900 deg F in ideal conditions) where the heat-producing secondary combustion process begins. This is the most crucial step in efficiently burning the fuel and reducing pollutants smoke, creosote, and buildup in the flue.

It is important to keep in mind that the temperature needed for secondary combustion is dependent on the type of fuel used and the environmental conditions. Choose firewood that is well-seasoned and has an average moisture content of less than 20% to reduce these variations.

The amount of air that is supplied to a fire will also have an important impact on its energy output and time to burn. The more oxygen available, the more hot the fire will burn. A wood fire produces less energy and burn at a slower rate when the air supply is slowed.

A wood stove or fireplace insert that has an adjustable air damper will increase the burn time and efficiency. The wide-open setting gives the fire to take all the oxygen it needs and will quickly draw down 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 dry load of firewood is also crucial to efficient wood burning. Freshly cut wood that hasn't been dried will contain high levels of water, making it difficult to burn. To ensure 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 another aspect to consider. White pine and spruce might be more affordable than eastern hardwoods such as shagbark and hickory as well as black locust, but their BTU values are higher. This means that they'll generate more heat for the same amount of wood. It is important to take into account your heating needs and fuel costs when selecting your firewood.

Clean Burning

Wood smoke creates indoor air pollutants that irritate the lungs and cause respiratory distress, particularly for children and seniors. These pollutants comprise volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like formaldehyde and benzene, as well as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, such as benzo-a-pyrene, which can cause cancer. Volatile Tars (such as creosote) are also released when firewood is burned.

Smoke from old, poorly-designed fireplaces and wood stoves can contribute to poor outdoor air quality by reducing visibility and contributing to photochemical pollution. However, new clean burning fireplaces and wood stoves equipped with modern wood burner technology for combustion, when used properly, can greatly reduce the emission.

Stage 1 - Moisture vapourizes: As the log gets heated, it releases water vapor, which escapes up the chimney flue. This uses up more energy than it would if the log was seasoned to dry prior to burning. This also wastes energy that could be put to use heating 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 major sources of smog that we experience on clear days.

If used properly Wood stoves and fireplaces using clean burn technology can lessen this problem significantly by converting the logs to charcoal-like states, which releases less volatile gasses and produces the majority of the energy produced by the log into usable heat.

Avoid using damp or sour wood for your fire because it's more difficult to burn and produces lots of creosote compared to well-seasoned wood. Don't overload the stove with soft and thin woods such as fir or pine. They require more energy to burn and generate more smoke, which can cause chimney fires.

Always wait until the ashes have cooled before handling them. Dispose of or store ashes in a safe manner. They can re-ignite when exposed to water and can be dangerous to dispose of in landfills. Instead, you should use them around your garden or around the home.

Storing, seasoning and correctly burning your wood can help you save money and ensure your stove runs efficiently. It is also essential to clean your chimney regularly to remove creosote that has been deposited and particles as well as to avoid chimney fires and maintain the safety of the operation.

Safety

It's hard to beat a warm fire in the winter cold However, safety precautions should be taken. If fires are not constructed correctly, left unattended or burned and a dangerous gas can be released into the home. Creosote may also build up in the chimney. These deposits can block the flue and decrease the flow of air, making your furnace or wood stove not to work as effectively.

Never burn treated or painted wood, household waste 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, do not use explosive liquids to ignite fires. Gasoline, lighter fluid and kerosene may cause fires in chimneys which can increase emissions and cause toxic creosote.

Keep flammable materials, such as furniture, curtains and toys, 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 very hot and should not be touched.

Only make use of seasoned wood for your stove or fireplace. The wood that is seasoned has been dried over the summer months to decrease the amount of moisture. Wet woods emit more smoke and creosote. On the other hand, the wood that has been seasoned is more efficient and clear. The wood that is seasoned is darker and cracks appear along the ends of the grain and sounds hollow when you tap it. Place your logs outdoors and stack them neatly with the top securing, but allowing air to circulate around them.

Be cautious not to over-load your stove or fireplace as appliances that are overloaded produce more smoke and less heat. Fires that are overloaded can also create dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. If you have an older appliance that has an insulated metal liner, check the liner regularly for signs of wear and tear that can cause a chimney fire.

The EPA recommends reducing smoke inside your home by using dry, split, and well-seasoned wood and building a hot fire with small wood burner pieces. Avoid soft woods such as pine. Pine is a great starter material for the fire, but it shouldn't be used beyond that. These softer woods have resin and sap that when burned, releases excessive creosote inside the chimney.

Maintenance

A warm fire in a wood burning fireplace is a great way to enjoy the cold nights of winter. It is important to keep your fireplace in good condition to make the most of it. Regular cleaning and inspection of your fireplace is the best method to prevent problems that could develop. This maintenance prevents excessive creosote and helps keep the chimney clean to ensure maximum efficiency.

Creosote is a dark, hard, flammable substance that develops in the flue when wood does not burn completely. If a substantial amount of creosote accumulates, it can trigger chimney fires which are the second most common cause of house fires in the United States. There are a variety of factors that can cause a fire to fail to burn completely, including dampers that are improperly closed and cracks in the chimney liner, and an absence of regular cleaning and the removal of ash.

Creosote can build up excessively when wood isn't properly prepared. Water can comprise half of the weight of a wood piece. In the course of a fire it boils and releases heat, but it also consumes energy in the process. The resulting water vapor is then condensed as creosote, or released into the air as part of the smoke.

Another harmful byproduct of burning wood is soot. Soot is less brittle than creosote, however it can stick to the walls of your fireplace and impede air circulation. It is also an ignition risk since it is easily ignited when exposed to gasses that are combustible.

Take the ashes out of your fireplace and store them in an ash bucket made of metal. Keep it outside on a non-flammable area. The Ash can also be used as sources of nutrients for plants So don't forget to spread them out across the backyard!

It is recommended to have your fireplace and chimney examined by a Regency Dealer Certified. 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 chimney that includes an air tube the catalyst must be removed and visually inspected for blockages. Consult your user's manual for instructions on how to accomplish this for your particular unit.