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Wood Burning Fires Need to Be Hot and Clean Wood burning fires are not only relaxing and captivating they're also a vital aspect of our wellbeing and health. They should be hot and clean to function. Green wood, or unseasoned wood, has high levels of moisture, making it difficult to ignite and burn efficiently. Kiln dried, or seasoned wood has a lower moisture content and is therefore easier to ignite and keep burning. Efficient Combustion A wood fire must be hot enough to drive out water and reach temperatures that are above 540 deg F ( 900 degrees F in ideal conditions) at which the secondary combustion process begins. This is the primary process for efficient combustion of the fuel and minimizing pollutants smoke, creosote, and accumulation in the flue. It is crucial to understand that the temperature required for secondary combustion is contingent on the type of fuel and the surrounding conditions. The best method to reduce these variations is by using dry firewood that is seasoned and has less than 20%. In addition, the amount of air supplied to the fire can greatly affect its heat output and time to burn. The more oxygen available the more hot a fire will burn and the shorter its burn duration. When the air supply is not sufficient the wood fire will produce less heat and burn at a lower rate. To maximize burn time and efficiency to maximize efficiency and burn time, a wood stove fireplace insert should be equipped with an adjustable air damper. The wide-open setting lets the fire to take all the oxygen it can get and will quickly drain the fuel supply. A fire that is contained within a small space is less likely to spread. A firewood load that has been properly dried is essential for efficient wood burning. If wood is cut fresh and hasn't had the chance to dry it will have a high water content that may make it difficult to burn. For the best performance, it is recommended that you use only wood that has been seasoned that has been stored outdoors for six to nine months. The BTU content of wood is another factor to consider. For instance, white pine or spruce trees might be less expensive than eastern hardwoods such as shagbark hickory and black locust however, the BTU values of the latter are higher, which means they offer more heat for the same amount of wood burned. This is why it's important to think about your heating needs and the cost of fuel when choosing your firewood. Clean Burning Wood smoke is a source of indoor air pollutants that irritate the lungs and cause respiratory distress, particularly 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 burned. Smoke from poorly designed wood stoves and fire places can cause poor air quality outside, decreasing visibility and causing photochemical pollution. However, new clean burning wood stoves and fireplaces that incorporate modern combustion technology when properly used, can greatly reduce these emissions. Stage 1 – Moisture Vaporizes: As the log gets heated, it releases water vapor, which escapes through the chimney flue. This is more energy-intensive than it would have when the log was dried to dry before burning. It also consumes energy that could be used for to heat your home. In the flue, these vapors mix with carbon particles to create smoke. Smoke is a major contributor to particulate matter in the air and is among the main sources of smog that we encounter on clear days. If used properly, wood stoves and fireplaces that use clean burn technology can reduce this problem significantly by converting the logs to a charcoal-like state that releases less volatile gasses and generates the majority of energy from the logs as usable heat. Avoid using damp or sour wood for your fire – it's more difficult to burn and generates a lot more creosote than well-seasoned wood. Don't overload the stove with brittle and thin woods like pine or fir. They require more energy to burn and generate 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. Make sure you store or dispose of them correctly – ashes can reignite when exposed to water, and they are hazardous in landfills. Make use of them in your garden or at your home. Storing, seasoning and correctly burning your wood can help you save money and keep your stove running efficiently. Regularly cleaning your chimney is crucial to get rid of creosote and particulates as well as other debris that is deposited. This will also prevent chimney fires as well as maintain safe operation. Safety It's hard to beat a warm fire on a cold winter night, but security precautions should be taken. When Visit Webpage aren't properly built or burned, or left unattended, harmful fumes could be released into the home and dangerous creosote deposits can build up within the chimney. These deposits can block the flue, inhibit the flow of air and cause your wood stove or furnace to work less efficiently. Never burn treated or painted wood, household garbage paper, rags, and other combustible materials inside your wood-burning fireplace or stove. They release toxic fumes such as carbon dioxide and produce toxic gasses. Do not use flammable liquids as a fire starter. Gasoline, kerosene and lighter fluid can increase emissions, cause toxic creosote and could cause chimney fires. Keep combustibles, like furniture, curtains and toys, at a safe distance from your stove or fireplace. Don't hang clothes near your wood burning fireplace. Make sure your children know that the fireplace is extremely hot and should not be touched. Use only seasoned wood for your fireplace or stove. The wood that has been seasoned has been dried over the summer months to lessen the moisture. Wet woods produce more smoke and creosote while seasoned logs burn more efficiently and cleanly. Wood that is seasoned looks darker and 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 to them. Appliances that are overloaded produce more smoke, but less warmth. In addition, overloaded fires can produce unsafe carbon monoxide levels. If you have an older appliance with a metal liner, check it frequently for indications of wear. This can lead to a chimney fire. The EPA recommends reducing smoke inside your home by using dry, split, and well-seasoned wood, and then constructing a warm fire using small pieces. Avoid soft woods such as pine. Pine is a good starter material for a fire, but shouldn't be used beyond that. These softer woods contain sap and resin that burns, if burned, will create large amounts of creosote into the chimney. Maintenance A warm fire in a wood-burning fireplace is an ideal method to relax during the cold nights of winter. It is essential to maintain your fireplace in order to make the most of it. Regularly cleaning and inspecting your fireplace is the best way to prevent problems that could develop. This prevents the build-up of 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 completely burn. If a large amount of creosote is accumulated, 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 variety of causes, including improperly closed dampers or cracks in the liner of the chimney as well as a lack of regular cleaning and removal of ash. Creosote can build up in large amounts when wood isn't properly treated. This is because up to half of the weight of a piece wood is water. The water is heated during the fire and releases heat. It also consumes energy. The water vapor resulting from the process is then absorbed as creosote and released into the air as part of the smoke. Another harmful byproduct of burning wood is soot. Soot, though less dense than creosote, is able to block airflow and adhere to walls. It is also a fire hazard because it is a natural igniter when exposed to gases that are combustible. Take the ashes out of your fireplace and place them in an ash bucket made from metal. Keep it outside on a non-flammable area. Don't forget that remains of the ashes are a good source of nutrients for your plants. Spread them around in your yard! It is recommended that a Certified Regency Dealer inspect your fireplace and chimney regularly. The technician will be able to look for cracks in the chimney, soot and creosote levels, a properly shut damper and the condition of your catalyst. If you have a double-stage fireplace that has an air tube, it is recommended to remove the catalyst and inspected visually for blockages. Refer to the user manual to find out how to do it for your particular unit.