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Wood Burning Fires Need to Be Hot and Clean The warmth and ambience of wood-burning fires are not just relaxing and captivating but also essential to our health and well-being. But, they have to be clean and hot in order to function effectively. Unseasoned, or green, wood has high moisture content which makes it difficult to ignite and burn effectively. Kiln dried, or seasoned wood has a lower moisture content and is more easy to light and burn for longer. Efficient Combustion A wood fire must be hot enough to push out moisture and reach temperatures of 540 degrees F ( The process of producing heat from secondary combustion starts at 900 degrees F (in ideal conditions). This is the primary step in efficiently burning the fuel and minimizing pollutants smoke, creosote, and accumulation in the flue. It is important to keep in mind that the temperature needed for secondary combustion is dependent on the type of fuel used and the environmental conditions. Use seasoned firewood that has a moisture content of less than 20% to limit the variations. The amount of air that is provided to a flame will also have a significant impact on its temperature and burning time. The more oxygen available, the more hot the fire will burn. A wood fire produces less energy and burn at a slower rate when the air supply is restricted. To ensure maximum burn time and efficiency, a wood stove or fireplace insert must be equipped with an adjustable air damper. Wide open settings allow the fire to use up all of its available oxygen and quickly exhaust the supply of usable fuel. The converse is true of the fire that is restricted to a smaller area in which the fire cannot expand as far. A firewood pile that has been properly dried is crucial for efficient wood burning. If wood is cut fresh and hasn't had time to dry out, it will have high levels of water, which could make it difficult to burn. To ensure optimal performance it is recommended you use only wood that has been seasoned that has been stored outside for six to nine months. The BTU content of wood is another aspect to take into consideration. White pine and spruce might be cheaper than eastern hardwoods, such as shagbark, hickory and black locust, however their BTU values are greater. This means that they'll produce more heat for the same amount of wood. This is why it's important to take into consideration your heating requirements and the fuel costs when selecting your firewood. Clean Burning Wood smoke can create indoor air pollution, which can irritate lungs and cause respiratory distress in seniors and children. These pollutants include volatile aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) like 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 burnt. Smoke from poorly-designed wood stoves and fire places could contribute to poor air quality outside by making it harder to see and causing photochemical pollution. However, modern clean burning fireplaces and wood stoves that incorporate modern combustion technology when used properly can drastically reduce the emissions. Stage 1 – Moisture Vaporizes: As the log heats up it releases water vapor, that escapes down the chimney flue. This is more energy-intensive than if the log was dried before burning. This also wastes energy that could be used for warming 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. Fireplaces and wood stoves that use clean burn technology, if used correctly, can significantly reduce this problem by converting the logs into charcoal state, which releases far less volatile gases, as well as creating the majority of the energy contained in the log from usable heat. Avoid using damp or sour wood to fuel your fire – it's more difficult to burn and generates much more creosote than well-seasoned wood. Avoid overburdening the stove with soft and thin woods such as fir or pine. They require more energy to burn and generate more smoke, which can cause chimney fires. Use a metal bucket to remove ashes from the stove, and always wait until they cool before handling them. Keep or dispose of ashes in a safe manner. please click the following page could ignite again if exposed to water and can be dangerous to dispose of in landfills. Use them in your garden or at home instead. Storing, seasoning and correctly burning your wood will help you save money and ensure that your stove is operating efficiently. It is also essential to regularly clean your chimney to get rid of creosote and particles and also to prevent chimney fires and maintain safe operation. Safety There's nothing better than a warm fire to keep warm during cold winter evenings, but proper safety precautions are essential. If fires are constructed incorrectly, left unattended or burned, dangerous fumes can enter the home. Creosote also builds up in the chimney. These deposits could block the chimney and restrict the flow of air, making your wood stove or furnace not to function as efficiently. Do not burn treated, painted, or household garbage in your wood-burning stove or fireplace. They can release toxic fumes like carbon dioxide, and release toxic gasses. Do not use flammable liquids as a fire starter. Gasoline, lighter fluid, and kerosene may cause chimney fires which can increase emissions and create toxic creosote. Keep combustible objects 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 very hot and shouldn't be touched. Only make use of seasoned wood for your fireplace or stove. The wood that is seasoned has been dried over the summer months to decrease the moisture. The wood that is damp produces more creosote and smoke, whereas seasoned logs burn much more cleanly and more efficiently. Seasoned wood looks darker, has cracks in the end grain and sounds hollow when tapping. Keep your wood outside, neatly stacked with the top covered but allowing air circulation around them. Be careful not to overload your stove or fireplace because overloaded appliances produce more smoke and less heat. 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 could cause a chimney fire. The EPA suggests using split, dry and well-seasoned wood in order to reduce smoke in your home. Create a fire by using small pieces. Avoid using softer woods like pine, which are a great starting material to get your fire going but shouldn't be used for more than that. These woods with softer sap contain and resin that when burned, create large amounts of creosote into the chimney. Maintenance The warmth of a fireplace with wood is a great way to spend winter evenings. It is crucial to maintain your fireplace in order to ensure that you get the most benefits from your fire. Regularly cleaning and inspecting your fireplace is the best way to prevent problems that could develop. This maintenance prevents excessive creosote and keeps the chimney clean for maximum efficiency. Creosote is a dark, crusty flammable substance that forms in the flue when wood doesn't completely burn. When a lot of creosote accumulates, it can lead to chimney fires. They are the second leading causes of house fires across the United States. A number of issues can cause a fire to burn completely, including dampers that have not been properly closed or damaged in the chimney liner as well as the absence of regular cleaning and removal of ash. Incorrectly seasoned wood causes the accumulation of creosote to an excessive degree. This is due to the fact that up to half 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 condensed as creosote or released into the atmosphere as part of the smoke. Soot is a different harmful byproduct of burning wood. Soot, while softer than creosote can block airflow and stick to the walls. It also poses an hazard to fire because it easily ignites when exposed to gasses that ignite. It is recommended to remove the ashes and store them in a metal ash bucket, which you should keep outside on a nonflammable surface. The ashes can also serve as an energy source for plants Don't forget to scatter them across the yard! It is recommended to ensure that your chimney and fireplace are inspected by a Regency Dealer Certified. The technician can check for cracks, creosote levels, soot levels, a properly shut damper, and the condition of the catalyst. If you have a double-stage fireplace that has an air tube, you must have the catalyst removed and visually inspected for any blockages. Refer to the user manual to find out the procedure for your unit.