Wood Burning Fires Need to Be Hot and Clean
Wood burning fires are not only relaxing and captivating they're also a vital element of our health and well-being. But, they have to be hot and clean for them to function properly.
Green wood, or unseasoned wood has an excessive amount of moisture which makes it difficult to ignite and burn efficiently. Kiln dried or seasoned wood has a lower moisture content, making it much easier to light and maintain a flame.
Efficient Combustion
The wood fire should be hot enough to snuff out moisture and reach temperatures of over 540 deg F. 900 deg F in ideal conditions) where the heat-producing secondary combustion process begins. This is the primary step to efficiently burning the fuel and minimizing pollutants, smoke, and creosote accumulation in the flue.
It is important to note that the temperature needed for secondary combustion is dependent on the type of fuel used and the conditions in the environment. Choose firewood that is well-seasoned and has less than 20% to limit these variations.
The quantity of air supplied to a fire will also have an important influence 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.
To increase the time of burning and efficiency To maximize the efficiency and time of burn, a wood stove or fireplace insert should be equipped with an adjustable air damper. Wide open settings allow the fire to burn through all of its available oxygen and quickly exhaust the fuel available for use. This is not the case with an area that is limited to a small area where the fire can not expand as much.
A well-dried firewood load is also crucial for efficient wood burning. Wood that is freshly cut and hasn't been allowed to dry will contain high levels of water which makes it difficult to burn. It is recommended to only use well-seasoned firewood that has been stored outdoors for six to nine months for optimal performance.
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 greater. This means that they'll generate more heat from the same amount of wood. It is important to consider your heating needs and fuel costs when selecting your firewood.
Clean Burning
Wood smoke is a source of indoor air pollutants that can irritate the lungs and can cause respiratory distress, especially for seniors and children. These pollutants include volatile aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) such as benzo-a-pyrene and formaldehyde as well as volatile organic compounds, such as benzene. Volatile tars (such as creosote) are also released when firewood is burnt.
Smoke from older, poorly-designed fireplaces and wood stoves could contribute to poor outdoor air quality, decreasing visibility and causing photochemical pollution. If properly used, however modern technology for combustion in clean-burning wood stoves and places can reduce these emissions.
Stage 1 - The vaporization of moisture: As the log gets warmer it releases water vapour which escapes through the chimney flue. This takes more energy than if the log was dried prior to burning. It also consumes energy that could be put to use heating your home.
These vapors combine in the flue with carbon particles to create smoke. Smoke is one of the major contributors to particulate matter in the air and is among the major sources of smog that we experience on clear days.
Wood stoves and fireplaces with clean burn technology, when utilized correctly, can dramatically reduce this problem by converting the logs into the state of charcoal, which releases far less volatile gases, and creating the majority of the energy contained in the log from usable heat.
Avoid using damp, sour or decayed wood to light your fire. It's more difficult to burn and generates more creosote. Also, don't overburden your stove with soft and thin wood like pine or fir; it takes more energy to burn them and they produce more smoke which can cause chimney fires.
Use a bucket made of metal to scoop up ashes from the stove, and wait for them to cool before handling them. Be sure to store or dispose of them correctly as ashes can ignite if exposed to water, and they are hazardous in landfills. Instead, make please click the following page to use them around your garden or in the house.
Properly storing, seasoning and burning your wood 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 particles and also to prevent chimney fires and maintain the safety of your operation.
Safety
It's difficult to beat a warm fireplace in the winter cold, but safety precautions must be taken. If fires are not properly constructed, burned or left unattended, hazardous fumes could be released into the house and creosote accumulations can form inside the chimney. These deposits can block the flue and decrease airflow, causing your furnace or wood stove not to work as efficiently.
Never burn treated or painted wood, household garbage paper, rags, and other combustible substances in your wood-burning fireplace or stove. They could release toxic fumes such as carbon dioxide and create toxic gasses. Don't use flammable liquids to start fires. Gasoline, lighter fluid and kerosene could cause chimney fires which can increase emissions and cause toxic creosote.
Keep flammable materials like furniture, curtains, and even toys away from your stove or fireplace. Do not hang clothes near or on your wood-burning fireplace. Make sure your children know that the fireplace is hot and should not be touched.
Only use wood that is seasoned in your fireplace or stove. The wood that is seasoned has been dried over the summer months to lessen the amount of moisture. Woods that are damp emit more smoke and creosote, whereas mature logs are more efficient and clear. Seasoned wood looks darker, has cracks in the end grain and sounds hollow when tapping. Keep your logs outside, neatly stacked and with the top covered but allowing air circulation around them.
Be cautious not to over-load your stove or fireplace because overloaded appliances produce more smoke and produce less heat. Fires that are overloaded can also create dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. If you own an older appliance that has an iron liner, you should inspect it regularly for signs of wear. This could cause a chimney fire.
The EPA suggests using dry, split and well-seasoned wood to reduce the amount of smoke that your home produces. Make a fire using small pieces. Avoid using soft woods like pine. Pine is a good starting material for an open flame, but should not be used beyond that. These softer woods have resin and sap, which, when burnt, deposits excessive creosote into the chimney.
Maintenance
Warming up in front of a wood-burning fireplace is a wonderful way to spend winter evenings. It is important to maintain the fireplace to get the most out of it. Regular inspections and cleaning of your fireplace will help you to avoid any problems. This prevents creosote buildup and helps keep the chimney clean for maximum efficiency.
If wood doesn't completely burn and creosote builds up in the chimney. If cheap wood burner of creosote accumulates, it can trigger chimney fires which are the second most common cause of house fires in the United States. cheap wood burning stoves of a fire to completely burn can be caused by a number of causes including dampers that aren't properly closed or cracks in the liner of the chimney and the absence of regular cleaning and removal of ash.
Creosote can accumulate excessively when wood isn't properly prepared. Water could comprise up to half of the weight of a wooden piece. During the fire it boils and releases heat, but it also consumes energy in the process. The water vapor that results is then condensed as creosote or released into the atmosphere as part of the smoke.
Another hazard of burning wood is soot. Soot is more pliable than creosote, however it can cling to the walls of your fireplace and impede air circulation. It is also a fire risk because it ignites easily when exposed to gasses that are combustible.
Remove the ashes from your fireplace and put them in an ash bucket made from metal. Keep it 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 all over your yard!
Regularly make sure that your chimney and fireplace are inspected by a Regency Dealer Certified. The technician can check for cracks in the chimney, soot and creosote levels, a properly sealed damper and also the condition of your catalyst. If you have a two-stage fireplace which includes an air tube the catalyst must be removed and visually checked for blockages. Consult your user's manual for directions on how to do this for your specific unit.