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Wood Burning Fires Need to Be Hot and Clean The warmth and ambiance of wood-burning fires is not just relaxing and captivating, but also essential to our health and well-being. They must be hot and clean to be effective. Green, or unseasoned, wood is very moist that makes it challenging to burn and light efficiently. Kiln dried or seasoned wood has a lower moisture content, making it much easier to ignite and maintain a flame. Efficient Combustion A wood fire must be hot enough to drive out moisture and reach temperatures above 540 deg F ( 900 degrees F in ideal conditions) in ideal conditions) where the secondary combustion process begins. This is the most crucial process for efficiently burning the fuel and minimizing pollutants smoke, creosote, and buildup in 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 environment. Make sure to use firewood that is seasoned and has a less than 20% to minimize these variations. The amount of air being supplied to a fire will also have an important influence on its temperature and burning time. The more oxygen available the hotter a fire can burn and the shorter its burn duration. When the air supply is not sufficient, a wood fire will produce less heat and will burn at a slower rate. To increase the time of burning and efficiency, a wood stove or fireplace insert should be fitted with an adjustable air damper. large wood burner allows the fire to burn through all oxygen available and will quickly exhaust the supply of usable fuel. This is not the case with a fire that is confined to a small area where the fire is unable to expand as far. A firewood load that has been dried properly is crucial for efficient wood burning. Freshly cut wood that hasn't been dried will contain high levels of water which makes it difficult to burn. It is recommended to use only wood that is seasoned and has been stored outdoors for between six and nine months to ensure optimal performance. Another thing to consider is the BTU content of different kinds of wood. For instance, white pine or spruce trees may be cheaper than eastern hardwoods like black locust and shagbark hickory, however the BTU values of the latter are much higher, meaning they will offer more heat for the same amount of wood. It is important to take into account your heating requirements and the cost of fuel 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 children and seniors. These pollutants include volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as formaldehyde and benzene, as well as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzo-apyrene, can cause cancer. When wood is burned the volatile tars like creosote also get released. Smoke from older, poorly-designed fireplaces and wood stoves could contribute to poor outdoor air quality by decreasing visibility and causing photochemical smog. If properly used however, modern technology for combustion in clean-burning wood stoves and fire places can help reduce the emissions. Stage 1 – Vaporization Moisture: As the log gets warmer, it releases water vapour that escapes through the chimney flue. This uses up more energy than it would if the log was seasoned to dry before burning. This also wastes energy that could be put to use heating your home. These vapors mix in the flue with carbon particles to create smoke. Smoke is among the main sources of particulate matter and smog in the air. Fireplaces and wood stoves that use clean burn technology, if used correctly, can significantly reduce this problem by burning the logs to a charcoal state which releases much less volatile gases, as well as producing most of the energy contained in the log from usable heat. Avoid using damp or sour wood to fuel your fire because it's more difficult to burn and creates lots of creosote compared to well-seasoned wood. Also, don't overburden your stove with thin and soft wood such as fir or pine; it takes more energy to burn them and they produce more smoke that can cause chimney fires. Use a metal bucket to scoop up ashes from the stove, and wait until they cool before handling them. Dispose of or store ashes in a safe manner. They could ignite again if exposed to water and are dangerous in landfills. Instead, ensure that you utilize them in your garden or in the house. Storing, seasoning and properly burning your wood will help you save money and keep your stove running efficiently. Cleaning your chimney on a regular basis is important to remove creosote and particulates as well as other debris that has been deposited. This can also stop chimney fires and ensure safe operation. Safety There's nothing better than a warm fire to keep warm during cold winter evenings, however proper safety precautions are necessary. When fires aren't properly built or tended to, or left unattended, hazardous fumes can be released into the home and dangerous creosote deposits may build up within the chimney. These deposits can clog up the flue and reduce airflow, causing your furnace or wood stove to not work as efficiently. Never burn treated, painted, or household waste in your wood-burning stove or fireplace. They can release toxic fumes such as carbon dioxide, and release toxic gasses. Avoid using flammable liquids as a fire starter. Gasoline, kerosene and lighter fluids can increase emissions, cause toxic creosote and possibly cause chimney fires. Keep flammable materials like furniture, curtains, and even toys, at a safe distance from your stove or fireplace. Don't hang clothes near your wood-burning fireplace. Children should be taught that the fireplace is extremely hot and should not be touched. Use only seasoned wood for your stove or fireplace. Seasoned wood has been dried through the summer to decrease the moisture content. Woods that are damp emit more smoke and creosote. On the other hand, mature logs are more efficient and clear. The wood that is seasoned is darker and has cracks along the grain's end and sounds hollow when you tap it. Keep your wood outside, neatly stacked and with the top partially covered but still allowing air circulation around them. The appliances that are overloaded generate more smoke, but less warmth. In addition, overloaded fires can produce dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. If you have an older appliance that has an aluminum liner, be sure to check it frequently for signs of wear. This could cause a chimney fire. The EPA suggests reducing the amount of smoke in your home by using dry, split, and well-seasoned wood and constructing a hot fire using small pieces. Avoid using softer woods such as pine, which can be a good for starting your fire going, but shouldn't be used for anything other than. These softer woods have resin and sap that when burned, releases too much creosote in the chimney. Maintenance The warmth of a fireplace with wood is a wonderful option to relax during winter evenings. It is crucial to maintain your fireplace in order to make the most of it. Regular cleaning and inspection of your fireplace is the best method to avoid problems that may occur. This prevents excessive creosote buildup and ensures that the chimney is clean for maximum efficiency. If the wood doesn't fully burn, creosote forms in the chimney. If a large amount of creosote accumulates, it can trigger chimney fires which are the second-leading cause of house fires in the United States. The failure of a fireplace to fully burn is caused by a number of reasons such as dampers that are not properly sealed or cracks in the chimney's liner as well as a lack of regular cleaning and ash removal. Creosote can accumulate excessively when wood isn't properly seasoned. This is because nearly half the weight of a piece wood is water. In the course of a fire it boils and releases heat, but it also consumes energy in the process. The water vapor that is produced is then absorbed into creosote, or is released into the air as a part of smoke. Soot is another noxious byproduct of burning wood. Soot is less brittle than creosote. However, it can adhere to the walls of your fireplace and impede air circulation. It also poses a fire hazard because it easily ignites when exposed to gasses that ignite. Remove the ashes from your fireplace and store them in an ash bucket made from metal. Keep it outside on an unflammable surface. The ashes can also serve as an energy source for plants So don't forget to scatter them across the lawn! Regularly make sure that your chimney and fireplace are examined by a Regency Dealer certified. The technician will be able to check for cracks in the chimney, soot and creosote levels, a properly closed damper, and the condition of your catalyst. If you have a double-stage chimney that includes an air tube, you should have the catalyst removed and inspected visually for blockages. Refer to your user manual for directions on how to accomplish this for your specific unit.