wood burner Burning Fires Need to Be Hot and Clean
The warmth and ambience of wood-burning fires is not just relaxing and captivating but is also vital to our health and well-being. But, they must be hot and clean for them to function properly.
Green wood, or unseasoned wood, has high levels of moisture, making it difficult to ignite and burn effectively. The seasoned, or kiln dried wood has a lower moisture content and is easier to ignite and keep burning.
Efficient Combustion
The fire in the wood must be sufficiently hot to snuff out moisture and reach temperatures over 540 deg F. The process of producing heat in secondary combustion starts at 900 degrees F (in ideal conditions). This is the most important step in efficiently burning fuel and minimizing pollution and smoke that enters the flue.
It is important to keep in mind that the temperature needed for secondary combustion varies with the type of fuel used and the environmental conditions. The best method to reduce these variations is by using dry firewood that is seasoned and has a moisture content below 20 percent.
The quantity of air being supplied to a fire can also have a significant impact on the heat output and burning time. The more oxygen that is available, the hotter the fire will burn. A wood fire will produce less energy and burn slower when the air supply is limited.
A fireplace or wood stove insert fitted with an adjustable air damper will maximize the burn time and efficiency. The wide-open setting lets the fire to get 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 pile that has been dried properly is vital for efficient wood burning. Freshly cut wood that hasn't been allowed to dry will contain a lot of water which makes it difficult to burn. For the best performance it is recommended you use only seasoned wood that has been stored outdoors for six to nine months.
Another factor to consider is the BTU content of various types of wood. For example, 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 much more, meaning they offer more heat for the same amount of wood burned. It is important to consider your heating needs and the cost of fuel when selecting your firewood.
Clean Burning
Wood smoke can create indoor air pollution that can cause irritation to the lungs and respiratory discomfort in senior citizens and children. These pollutants comprise volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as formaldehyde and benzene as well as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, like benzo-a-pyrene, that are carcinogenic. When wood is burned, volatile tars such as creosote are also released.
Smoke from older, poorly-designed fireplaces and wood stoves can contribute to poor outdoor air quality by decreasing visibility and causing photochemical pollution. If used properly, however, modern combustion technology in clean-burning wood stoves and fire places can reduce these emissions.
Stage 1 - Moisture vapourizes: As the log heats up it releases water vapor, which 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.
In the flue, these vapors combine with carbon particles to form smoke. Smoke is one of the major contributors to particulate matter in the air and is among the main sources of smog that we see on clear days.
Fireplaces and wood stoves equipped with clean burn technology, if used correctly, can significantly reduce this issue by burning the logs to the state of charcoal which releases much less volatile gasses, and producing the majority of the energy in the log from usable heat.
Avoid using damp, sour or rotten wood to light your fire. It's more difficult to burn and produces more creosote. Also, don't overload your stove with soft and thin wood such as fir or pine; it takes more energy to burn them, and they create more smoke that 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. Make sure you store or dispose of them correctly - ashes can reignite if exposed to water, and they can be hazardous in landfills. Make use of them in your garden or at your home.
Storing, seasoning and properly burning your wood will help you save money and ensure your stove runs efficiently. Cleaning your chimney regularly is important to remove creosote, particulates and other deposited matter. This will also prevent chimney fires as well as maintain safe operation.
wood heater stove
There's nothing like a cozy fire to warm up chilly winter evenings, but proper safety precautions are necessary. When fires aren't properly built, burned or left unattended, hazardous fumes can be released into the home, and potentially dangerous creosote deposits may build up within the chimney. These deposits can block the flue, inhibit airflow, and cause your furnace or wood stove to operate less efficiently.
Never burn treated or painted waste in your wood-burning stove fireplace. They release toxic fumes like carbon dioxide and produce toxic gasses. Don't use the flammable liquids to ignite fires. Wood Burning Stoves , lighter fluid, and kerosene could cause chimney fires that can cause emissions to rise and produce toxic creosote.
Keep combustible materials, such as curtains, furniture and toys, at a safe distance from your fireplace or stove. Do not hang clothes on or near your fireplace that is wood burning. Make sure your children know that the fire is hot and should not be touched.
Only use seasoned wood in your fireplace or stove. Seasoned wood is dried during the summer months to reduce the moisture content. Wet woods emit more smoke and creosote, whereas mature logs are more efficient and clean. Seasoned wood is darker, has cracks along the ends of the grain and makes a hollow sound when you tap it. Store your wood outside, neatly stacking them with the top partially covered but still allowing air circulation around them.
Be aware not to over-load your fireplace or stove as appliances that are overloaded produce more smoke and produce less heat. Fires that are overloaded can also produce unsafe carbon monoxide levels. If you have an older appliance that has a metal liner, check it regularly for indications of wear. This could lead to a chimney fire.
The EPA recommends using split, dry, and well-seasoned wood to reduce the amount of smoke that your home produces. Make a fire using small pieces. Avoid using soft woods such as pine. Pine is a good starting material for the fire, but it shouldn't be used for more than. These soft woods contain resin and sap, which, when burnt, deposits too much creosote in the chimney.
Maintenance
A warm fire in a wood burning fireplace is an ideal method to relax during the cold winter nights. It is crucial to maintain your fireplace in order to get the most enjoyment of it. Regular inspections and cleaning of your fireplace will help you to avoid any problems. This maintenance helps prevent excessive creosote buildup and keeps the chimney clean for maximum efficiency.
When wood doesn't burn completely, creosote forms in the chimney. If a large amount of creosote builds up it can trigger chimney fires which are the second-leading cause of house fires in the United States. The failure of a fireplace to burn completely can be caused by a variety of factors, including improperly closed dampers, cracks in the chimney's liner, and a lack or regular cleaning and removal of ash.
Creosote can accumulate excessively when wood isn't properly seasoned. Water can comprise half of the weight of a wood piece. The water is heated during the fire and releases heat. It also consumes energy. The water vapor that is produced then condenses into creosote, or is released into the air as part of smoke.
Soot is another harmful byproduct of burning wood. Soot, although less dense than creosote, can impede airflow and stick to the walls. It is also an ignition hazard since it is a natural igniter when exposed to gases that are combustible.
The ashes should be removed and place them in a metal ash bucket, which you should keep outside on a non-flammable surface. The ashes can also serve as a source of nutrients for plants So don't forget to scatter them across the lawn!
Regularly ensure that your chimney and fireplace are examined by a Regency Dealer Certified. The technician can check for cracks in the chimney, creosote and soot levels, a properly closed damper and the condition of your catalyst. If you have a two-stage fireplace that has an air tube, the catalyst must be removed and visually inspected for blockages. Consult your user manual to learn how to do this for your unit.