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 have to be clean and hot to function effectively.
Green, or unseasoned wood is very moist which makes it difficult to light and burn efficiently. Kiln dried, or seasoned wood has a lower moisture content and is easier to light and keep burning.
Efficient Combustion
The wood fire must be sufficiently hot to eliminate moisture and reach temperatures of over 540 degrees F. The process of producing heat in secondary combustion begins at around 900 degrees F (in ideal conditions). This is the primary step to efficiently burning the fuel while minimizing pollution, smoke, and creosote accumulation in the flue.
It is vital to realize that the temperature needed for secondary combustion depends on the kind of fuel used and the conditions around it. The best way to minimize the variations is to use well-seasoned firewood that has an average moisture content of less than 20 percent.
The amount of air being delivered to a fire will also have a significant impact on the temperature and burning time. The more oxygen available, the more hot the fire will burn. A wood fire will generate less energy and burn at a slower rate when the air supply is slowed.
To maximize burn time and efficiency to maximize efficiency and burn time, a wood stove fireplace insert must be equipped with an adjustable air damper. Wide open settings allow the fire to burn through all of its available oxygen and will quickly exhaust the fuel available for use. A fire that is contained within an area of limited size is less likely to spread.
A dry load of firewood is also critical to efficient wood burning. Freshly cut wood that isn't dried will contain high levels of water, making it difficult to burn. To ensure optimal performance it is recommended 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. White pine and spruce may be less expensive than eastern hardwoods like shagbark, hickory, and black locust, but their BTU numbers are higher. This means that they'll generate more heat with the same amount of wood. This is the reason it's important to think about your heating needs and fuel costs when selecting your firewood.
Clean Burning
Wood smoke creates indoor air pollutants that can irritate the lungs and cause respiratory distress, especially for older adults and children. These pollutants include volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as benzene and formaldehyde, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, such as benzo-apyrene, are carcinogenic. When wood is burned the volatile tars like creosote are also released.
Smoke from poorly-designed wood stoves and fire places could contribute to poor air quality outside by decreasing visibility and causing photochemical pollution. However, new, clean burning fireplaces and wood stoves that incorporate modern combustion technology when used correctly can drastically reduce these emissions.
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 have when the log was dried to dry 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 among the main sources of particulate matter and smog in the air.
When used correctly, wood stoves and fireplaces that use clean burn technology can help reduce the problem by converting the logs to charcoal-like conditions that releases less volatile gasses and generates the majority of energy from the log into usable heat.
Avoid using damp or sour wood to fuel your fire because it's more difficult to burn and creates a lot more creosote than well-seasoned wood. Avoid overburdening the stove with brittle and thin woods like fir or pine. They require more energy to burn and produce more smoke, which can cause chimney fires.
Always wait until the ashes have cooled before handling them. Make sure you store or dispose of them in a safe manner since ashes could ignite in the presence of water and they are hazardous in landfills. Instead, you should utilize them in your garden or at the house.
Properly properly storing, click through the next post and burning your wood correctly will save you money on fuel and ensure that your stove is running efficiently. It is also essential to regularly clean your chimney to get rid of creosote and particulate matter and also to prevent chimney fires and maintain safe operation.
Safety
There's nothing like a warm fire to while away chilly winter evenings, but proper safety precautions are essential. When fires aren't properly built, burned or left unattended, harmful fumes could be released into the home, and potentially dangerous creosote accumulations can form within the chimney. These deposits can block the flue, impede airflow and cause your wood stove or furnace to operate less efficiently.
Do not burn treated, painted, or household garbage in your wood-burning oven or fireplace. They produce noxious gasses and release toxic fumes, like carbon monoxide. Do not use flammable liquids as a fire starter. Gasoline, kerosene and lighter fluids can cause an increase in emissions, cause toxic creosote, and even cause chimney fires.
Keep combustible objects like furniture, curtains and toys away from your stove or fireplace. Never hang clothing near or on your wood-burning fireplace. Make sure that children understand that the fire is hot and should not be touched.
Only use seasoned wood in your fireplace or stove. Seasoned wood has been dried throughout the summer to reduce the moisture content. Wood that is wet produces more smoke and creosote, whereas seasoned logs burn much more efficiently and cleanly. Seasoned wood is darker and has cracks along the end grain, and sounds hollow when you tap it. Store your wood outside, neatly stacked and with the top covered but allowing air circulation to them.
The appliances that are overloaded generate more smoke and less warmth. Fires that are overloaded can also produce dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. If you own an older appliance that has a lining made of metal, you should inspect the liner on a regular basis for signs of wear and tear that can cause an explosion in the chimney.
The EPA suggests using dry, split and well-seasoned wood to minimize smoke in your home. Create a fire by using small pieces. Avoid soft woods such as pine. Pine is a great starting material for the fire, but it shouldn't be used for more than. These softer woods contain sap and resin that, when burned, deposit an excessive amount of creosote in the chimney.
Maintenance
A warm fire in a wood-burning fireplace is the perfect way to enjoy the cold winter nights. It is essential to maintain your fireplace in order to get the most enjoyment of it. Regular cleaning and inspections of your fireplace will help you to avoid any problems. This prevents excessive creosote buildup and ensures that the chimney is clean for maximum efficiency.
Creosote is a dark and crusty flammable substance that forms in the flue when wood does not burn completely. If a large amount of creosote accumulates, it can cause chimney fires, which are the second leading cause of house fires in the United States. The inability of a fire to burn completely can be caused by a number of causes, 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 an excessive buildup of creosote. Water can make up half of the weight of a wood piece. The water boils during fire and releases heat. It also consumes energy. The water vapor that is produced then condenses into creosote and is released into the air as a part of smoke.
Another harmful side effect of burning wood is soot. Soot is more pliable than creosote, but it can adhere to the walls of your fireplace and block air circulation. It is also a fire hazard because it can ignite easily when exposed to gasses that are combustible.
You should remove the ashes and store them in an ash bucket made of metal, which you should keep outside on a non-flammable surface. Don't forget that the remains of the ashes are a good source of nutrients for your plants. Spread them around in your backyard!
Regularly make sure that your chimney and fireplace are examined by a Regency Dealer certified. The technician will be able to look for cracks in the chimney, soot and creosote levels, a properly closed damper and the condition of your catalyst. If you have a two-stage fireplace which includes an air tube, the catalyst must be removed and visually inspected for obstructions. Check your user manual for instructions on how to do this for the particular unit you have.