Wood Burning Fires Need to Be Hot and Clean
Wood-burning fires aren't just a relaxing and enchanting experience they're also a vital aspect of our health and well-being. They should be hot and clean to work.
Green, or unseasoned, wood is very moist that makes it challenging to light and burn efficiently. Kiln dried or seasoned wood has a lower moisture content, making it much easier to light and maintain a fire.
Efficient Combustion
The wood fire must be hot enough to eliminate water and reach temperatures that exceed 540 deg F. The heat-producing process of secondary combustion starts at 900 degrees F (in ideal conditions). This is the primary process for efficiently burning the fuel while minimizing pollution, smoke, and creosote accumulation in the flue.
It is crucial to remember that the temperature needed for secondary combustion varies with the type of fuel and the environmental conditions. The best method to reduce the variation is to use seasoned firewood with a moisture content below 20%.
Additionally, the amount of air supplied to the fire can have a significant impact on the amount of heat produced and burn time. The greater the oxygen supply, the more hot a fire will burn and the shorter its burn time. A wood fire will produce less energy and burn slower when the air supply is limited.
A fireplace or wood stove insert that has an adjustable air damper will increase the time to burn and efficiency. The wide-open setting allows the fire to take all the oxygen it can get and quickly drain the fuel supply. A fire that is contained within a small space is less likely to spread.
A well-dried load of firewood is also crucial to efficient wood burning. Wood that is freshly cut and isn't dried will contain a lot of water, making it difficult to burn. It is recommended to only use seasoned firewood that has been stored outdoors for between six and nine months for optimal performance.
Another consideration is the BTU content of different kinds of wood. White pine and spruce may be cheaper than eastern hardwoods such as shagbark and hickory as well as black locust, however their BTU values are greater. This means that they'll generate more heat for the same amount of wood. It's important to take into account your heating requirements and fuel costs when selecting your firewood.
Clean Burning
Wood smoke is a source of indoor air pollutants that irritate the lungs and cause respiratory distress, especially for children and seniors. These pollutants include volatile aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) like benzo-a pyrene and formaldehyde, as well as volatile organic compounds such as benzene. Volatile tars (such as creosote) are also released when firewood burns.
Smoke from poorly designed wood fireplaces and stoves can cause poor air quality outside by reducing visibility and contributing photochemical pollution. However, modern clean burning wood stoves and fireplaces with modern combustion technology, when used correctly can significantly reduce the emissions.
Stage 1 - Moisture Vaporizes: As the log gets heated, it releases water vapor, which escapes up the chimney flue. This takes more energy than if the log had been dried prior to burning. It also consumes energy that could be used for heating your home.
In the flue, the vapors mix with carbon particles to form smoke. Smoke is one of the major contributors to particulate matter in the air and is one of the main sources of smog that we experience on clear days.
Fireplaces and wood stoves equipped with clean burn technology, when used correctly, can significantly reduce this problem by converting the logs into charcoal state that releases less volatile gases, as well as creating the majority of the energy in the log from usable heat.
Avoid using damp or sour wood to fuel your fire as it is more difficult to burn and creates a lot more creosote than well-seasoned wood. Avoid overburdening the stove with thin and soft woods such as fir or pine. They require more energy to burn and generate more smoke, which can cause chimney fires.
Use a metal bucket to scoop up ashes from the stove, and wait until they cool before handling them. Store or dispose of ashes correctly. They are able to ignite again when exposed to water, and are dangerous to dispose of in landfills. Make use of them in your garden or at home instead.
Properly storing, seasoning and burning your wood will save you money on fuel and will keep your stove working efficiently. It is also crucial to regularly clean your chimney to remove creosote that has been deposited and other particles and also to prevent chimney fires and maintain safe operation.
Safety
It's difficult to beat a warm fire in the winter cold, but precautions for safety should be taken. If fires are not constructed correctly or left unattended, or if they are 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 reduce the flow of air, making your furnace or wood stove not to function as effectively.
Do not burn treated or painted garbage in your wood-burning stove or fireplace. They could release toxic fumes like carbon dioxide and produce toxic gases. Do not use flammable liquids as a fire starter. Gasoline, kerosene and lighter fluids can increase emissions, produce toxic creosote and could cause chimney fires.
Keep combustibles, such as furniture curtains, toys, and other items at a safe distance from your fireplace or stove. Never hang clothing on or near your wood-burning fireplace. Make sure that children understand that the fire is hot and should not be touched.
Only use seasoned wood for your fireplace or stove. The wood that has been seasoned has been dried over the summer months to lessen the amount of moisture. Wet woods produce more smoke and creosote, whereas mature logs are more efficient and clear. The wood that is seasoned is darker and cracks appear along the ends of the grain and makes a hollow sound when you tap it. Keep your logs outside, neatly stacked with the top partially covered but still allowing air circulation around them.
Be aware not to over-load your stove or fireplace because overloaded appliances produce more smoke and produce less heat. In addition, overloaded fires can produce dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. If you have an older appliance with an iron liner, you should inspect it regularly for signs of wear. This can lead to a chimney fire.
The EPA recommends reducing smoke in your home by using dry, split, and well-seasoned wood and building a hot fire with small pieces. Avoid soft woods such as pine. Pine is a good starter material for a fire, but shouldn't be used more than. These softer woods have resin and sap that when burned, releases excessive creosote into the chimney.
Maintenance
A warm fire in a wood burning fireplace is a great way to enjoy the cold winter nights. But, it is essential to maintain your fireplace to ensure that you reap the maximum enjoyment from your fireplace. Regularly cleaning and inspecting your fireplace is the best method to avoid problems that may arise. This prevents creosote buildup and helps keep the chimney clean for maximum efficiency.
Creosote is a dark, crusty flammable substance that forms in the flue when wood doesn't burn completely. If a significant amount of creosote accumulates it can result in chimney fires. These are the second most common causes of house fires across the United States. The failure of a fireplace to fully burn is caused by a variety of factors including dampers that aren't properly closed and cracks in the chimney's liner as well as a lack of regular cleaning and ash removal.
simply click the next internet site that is not properly seasoned can cause the buildup of creosote in excess. This is because up to half the weight of a piece wood is water. In the course of a fire, this water boils and releases heat, but it also consumes energy in the process. The water vapor that is produced is then absorbed into creosote and is released into the air as part of smoke.
Soot is another harmful byproduct of burning wood. Soot is more pliable than creosote. However, it can stick to the walls of your fireplace and block air flow. It also poses a fire hazard because it easily ignites when exposed to gases that are combustible.
You should remove the ashes and put them in a metal ash bucket that you keep outside on a nonflammable surface. The ashes can also be used as an energy source for plants, so don't forget to spread them around the yard!
It is recommended that a Certified Regency Dealer inspect your chimney and fireplace regularly. The technician can check for cracks, creosote and soot levels as well as a properly shut damper, and the condition of the catalyst. If you have a two-stage fireplace that has an air tube, the catalyst should be removed and visually inspected for blockages. Refer to the user manual to find out how to do it for your particular unit.