Wood Burning Fires Need to Be Hot and Clean
The warmth and ambience of wood-burning fires is not only soothing and mesmerizing but is also vital to our health and well-being. They should be hot and clean in order to be effective.
Green wood, also known as unseasoned wood has high levels of moisture, making it difficult to ignite and burn efficiently. Kiln dried or seasoned wood has a low moisture content, making it much easier to ignite and maintain a fire.
Efficient Combustion
The wood fire must be hot enough to eliminate moisture and reach temperatures over 540 deg F. The process of producing heat in secondary combustion begins at around 900 degrees F (in ideal conditions). This is the primary step to efficiently burning the fuel and minimizing pollutants smoke, creosote, and buildup in the flue.
It is crucial to remember that the temperature required for secondary combustion varies with the type of fuel and the environmental conditions. Use seasoned firewood that has less than 20% to minimize the variations.
In addition, the quantity of air that is pumped into the fire can have a significant impact on its heat output and time to burn. 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 produces less heat and burn slower.
A fireplace or wood stove insert with an adjustable air damper will increase the time to burn and efficiency. The wide-open setting allows the fire to get all the oxygen it can get and will quickly drain the fuel supply. The converse is true of an area that is limited to a smaller area where the fire can not expand as far.
A well-dried load of firewood is also essential for efficient wood burning. Wood that is freshly cut and hasn't been dried will contain a lot of water which makes it difficult to burn. To ensure optimal performance it is recommended that you use only seasoned wood that has been stored outside for six to nine months.
The BTU content of wood is another factor to take into consideration. For example, white pine or spruce trees might be cheaper than eastern hardwoods like black locust and shagbark hickory, however the BTU values of the latter are higher, meaning they will provide more heat for the same amount of wood burned. This is the reason it's important to think about your heating needs and fuel costs when selecting your firewood.
cast iron wood burning stove produces indoor air pollutants that irritate the lungs and cause respiratory distress, particularly for older adults and children. These pollutants include volatile aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) like benzo-a pyrene and formaldehyde and volatile organic compounds, such as benzene. Volatile Tars (such as creosote) are also released when firewood burns.
Smoke from older, poorly-designed fireplaces and wood stoves can contribute to poor outdoor air quality, decreasing visibility and causing photochemical smog. However, new, clean burning wood stoves and fireplaces equipped with modern technology for combustion, when properly used can drastically reduce these emissions.
Stage 1 - The vaporization of moisture: As the log heats, it releases water vapour that escapes through the chimney flue. This consumes more energy than it would have if the log was seasoned to dry prior to burning. This wastes energy which could be used to warm your home.
These vapors mix in the flue with carbon particles to create smoke. Smoke is among the major sources of particulate matter and smog in the air.
Wood stoves and fireplaces with clean burn technology, when utilized correctly, can dramatically reduce the risk of this by burning the logs to a charcoal state which releases much less volatile gases, and creating the majority of the energy contained in the log from usable heat.
Avoid using damp, sour or rotten wood to light your fire. It's more difficult to burn and creates more creosote. Don't overload the stove with soft and thin woods like fir or pine. They require more energy to burn and 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. Make sure you store or dispose of them correctly as ashes can ignite in the presence of 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 keep your stove running efficiently. Regularly cleaning your chimney is essential to eliminate creosote, particulates and other debris that is deposited. This can also stop chimney fires and ensure safe operation.
Safety
It's hard to beat a warm fire on a cold winter night however, security precautions should be taken. If fires are constructed incorrectly or left unattended, or if they are burned and a dangerous gas can be released into the home. Creosote may also build up in the chimney. These deposits could block the chimney and restrict airflow, causing your furnace or wood stove not to work as effectively.
Never burn treated or painted wood, household waste paper, rags, and other combustible substances in your wood-burning stove or fireplace. They emit toxic fumes, such as carbon dioxide and create toxic gasses. Avoid using flammable liquids as a fire starter. Kerosene, gasoline and lighter fluid can increase emissions, produce toxic creosote and could cause chimney fires.
Keep click the next page , such as furniture, curtains, and even toys, at a safe distance from your fireplace or stove. Never hang clothing near or on the fireplace that is burning wood. Make sure your children are aware that the fireplace is extremely hot and should not be touched.
Only use wood that is seasoned in your fireplace or stove. Seasoned wood is dried throughout the summer to reduce the moisture content. Wet woods produce more creosote and smoke, while seasoned logs burn more efficiently and cleanly. Wood that is seasoned looks darker and cracks appear in the end grain and makes a hollow sound when tapping. Keep your wood outside, neatly stacking them with the top covered but allowing air circulation around them.
Be careful not to over-load your fireplace or stove, as overloaded appliances generate more smoke and produce less heat. In addition, overloaded fires can produce dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. If you own an older appliance that has a lining made of metal, you should inspect the liner on a regular basis for signs of wear and tear that can cause an explosion in the chimney.
The EPA suggests using dry, split, and well-seasoned wood to help reduce the amount of smoke you breathe in your home. Create a fire using small pieces. Avoid using soft woods like pine. Pine is a great starter material for an open flame, but should not be used more than. These woods with sap and resin which, when burnt, deposits excessive creosote inside the chimney.
Maintenance
A warm evening in front of a fireplace that is wood-burning is a wonderful option to relax during winter nights. It is important to keep your fireplace in good condition to get the most out of it. Regular cleaning and inspection of your fireplace is the best method to avoid any issues that might occur. This prevents creosote buildup and keeps the chimney clear for maximum efficiency.
Creosote is a dark and crusty flammable substance that forms in the flue when wood doesn't burn completely. If a significant amount of creosote is accumulated it can result in chimney fires. These are the second most frequent cause of fires in homes across the United States. The failure of a fireplace to completely burn can be caused by a variety of causes including dampers that aren't properly closed and cracks in the liner of the chimney and the absence of regular cleaning and removal of ash.
Wood that is not properly seasoned can cause the accumulation of creosote to an excessive degree. This is because up to half the weight of a piece of wood is water. During cast iron wood burning stove , this water boils and releases heat but it also consumes energy during the process. The water vapor resulting from the process is then condensed as creosote and released into the atmosphere as part of the smoke.
Soot is a different harmful product of burning wood. Soot, though less dense than creosote can block airflow and adhere to walls. It could also pose a fire hazard because it ignites easily when exposed to combustible gasses.
You should remove the ashes and put them in an ash bucket made of metal, which you should keep outside on a non-flammable surface. Don't forget that the dust is a fantastic source of nutrients for your plants. Spread them all over your backyard!
It is recommended that a Certified Regency Dealer inspect your chimney and fireplace on a regular basis. The technician can check for cracks in the chimney, creosote and soot levels, a properly shut damper and also the condition of your catalyst. If you have a two-stage fireplace that includes an air tube, the catalyst must be removed and visually checked for obstructions. Refer to your user manual for instructions on how to accomplish this for your particular unit.