Wood Burning Fires Need to Be Hot and Clean
Wood burning fires are not only comforting and mesmerising, but they're a critical aspect of our health and well-being. They should be hot and clean to work.
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 light and maintain a flame.
Efficient Combustion
The fire in the wood must be hot enough to snuff out water and reach temperatures that exceed 540 degrees F. 900 degrees F in ideal conditions) in ideal conditions) where the secondary combustion process starts. This is the most important step to efficiently burning fuel while reducing pollution and smoke that enters the flue.
It is vital to realize that the temperature needed to ignite the secondary combustion process is dependent on the type of fuel and the surrounding conditions. Choose firewood that is well-seasoned and has a moisture content of less than 20% to minimize these variations.
The quantity of air being supplied to a fire will also have a significant impact on its heat output and burning time. The higher the amount of oxygen available, the more hot a fire will burn and the shorter its burn time. If the supply of air is limited, however the wood fire will produce less heat and burn at a lower rate.
A fireplace or wood stove insert with an adjustable air damper will increase the time to burn and efficiency. A wide-open setting permits the fire to use up all of its available oxygen and will quickly exhaust the fuel that is usable. The converse is true of a fire that is confined to a limited area, where the fire can not expand as much.
A load of firewood that has been dried properly is essential for efficient wood burning. Freshly cut wood that isn't dried will contain high levels of water which makes it difficult to burn. It is recommended to only use wood that is seasoned and has been stored outdoors for six to nine months for the best performance.
The BTU content of wood is another aspect to take into consideration. For example, white pine or spruce trees might be less expensive than eastern hardwoods, such as black locust and shagbark hickory, but the BTU values of the latter are much higher, meaning they will offer more heat for the same amount of wood burned. This is why it's crucial to think about your heating needs and the 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 seniors and children. These pollutants comprise volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as formaldehyde and benzene, as well as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, such as benzo-apyrene, can cause cancer. Volatile tars (such as creosote) are also released when firewood burns.
Smoke from old, poorly-designed wood stoves and fireplaces can contribute to poor outdoor air quality by reducing visibility and contributing to photochemical smog. However, modern clean burning wood stoves and fireplaces equipped with modern technology for combustion, when used properly can drastically reduce these emissions.
Stage 1 - Vaporization of moisture: As the log warms it releases water vapour that escapes through the chimney flue. This requires more energy than if the log was dried prior to burning. This is a waste of energy that could be used to warm your home.
In the flue, these vapors mix with carbon particles and form smoke. Smoke is among the major sources of particulate matter and smog in the air.
If used properly when used correctly, wood stoves and fireplaces using clean burn technology can reduce this problem significantly by converting the logs to charcoal-like conditions that releases less volatile gasses and produces the majority of the energy produced by the log as usable heat.
Avoid using damp or sour wood for your fire because it's more difficult to burn and produces much more creosote than well-seasoned wood. Do not overload your stove with thin and soft woods like pine or fir. They require more energy to burn and create more smoke, which can cause chimney fires.
Use a metal bucket to scoop ashes from the stove, and wait for them to cool before handling them. Keep or dispose of ashes in a safe manner. They could ignite again if exposed to water, and are dangerous to dispose of in landfills. Use them in your garden or at home instead.
Properly properly storing, seasoning and burning your wood correctly will save you money on fuel and ensure that your stove is running efficiently. Cleaning your chimney on a regular basis is important to remove creosote and particulates as well as other deposited matter. This can also help prevent chimney fires as well as keep your chimney operating safely.
Safety
It's difficult to beat a warm fire on a chilly winter night however, security precautions should be taken. When small wood burner are improperly built, burned or left unattended, harmful fumes can escape into the house and creosote deposits can build up inside the chimney. These deposits can clog up the flue and reduce the flow of air, making your furnace or wood stove not to function as efficiently.
Never burn treated or painted wood, household waste, rags, paper and other combustible materials inside your wood-burning fireplace or stove. They can emit toxic fumes, such as carbon dioxide and create toxic gasses. Do not use liquids that are flammable as a starter. Gasoline, lighter fluid, and kerosene can cause fires in chimneys that can cause emissions to rise and produce toxic creosote.
Keep combustible objects, such as curtains, furniture and toys, a safe distance from your fireplace or stove. Don't hang clothes near your wood-burning fireplace. Make sure your children know that the fire is hot and should not be touched.
Only use seasoned wood for your stove or fireplace. The wood that is seasoned has been dried over the summer months to decrease moisture. The wood that is damp produces more creosote and smoke, while seasoned logs burn more efficiently and cleanly. The wood that is seasoned appears darker and has cracks in the end grain and makes a hollow sound when tapped. Keep your logs outside stacked neatly, with the top covered, but allowing air to circulate around them.
Appliances that are overloaded produce more smoke and less warmth. In addition, overloaded fires can produce dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. If you have an older appliance that has an insulated metal liner, check the liner frequently for signs of wear and tear that can cause a chimney fire.
small wood burning heater suggests using dry, split and well-seasoned wood in order to reduce the amount of smoke that your home produces. Create a fire using 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 soft woods contain resin and sap that is a result of burning, and deposits excessive creosote inside the chimney.
Maintenance
Warming up in front of a wood-burning fireplace is a wonderful way to spend winter evenings. It is essential to keep your fireplace in good condition to make the most of it. Regular cleaning and inspection of your fireplace is the best way to avoid problems that may arise. This prevents the accumulation of creosote buildup and keeps the chimney clear for maximum efficiency.
If the wood doesn't fully burn, creosote forms in the chimney. If a significant amount of creosote accumulates, it can cause chimney fires which are the second most common cause of house fires in the United States. A variety of issues could contribute to a fire's failure to completely burn, including dampers that are improperly closed or damaged in the chimney liner and the absence of regular cleaning and ash removal.
Wood that is not properly seasoned can cause the accumulation of creosote to an excessive degree. Water can comprise half of the weight of a wooden piece. The water is heated during the fire and releases heat. It also consumes energy. The water vapor produced then condenses into creosote and is released into the air as a part of smoke.
Another harmful byproduct of burning wood is soot. small wood burning heater , though less dense than creosote, can impede airflow and stick to walls. It could also pose a fire hazard because it ignites easily 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 surface. The Ash can also be used as an energy source for plants, so don't forget to spread them around the lawn!
Make sure you 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 the condition of your catalyst. If you have a two-stage fireplace which includes an air tube, the catalyst should be removed and visually checked for blockages. Refer to your user manual for directions on how to do this for your particular unit.