Wood Burning Fires Need to Be Hot and Clean
The warmth and ambience of wood-burning fires are not just relaxing and captivating but is also vital to our health and well-being. They must be hot and clean in order to be effective.
Green wood, or unseasoned wood, has an excessive amount of moisture which makes it difficult to ignite and burn effectively. Seasoned, or kiln dried wood has low moisture content and is more easy to light and keep burning.
Efficient Combustion
The fire in the wood must be hot enough to snuff out moisture and reach temperatures of over 540 degrees F. 900 deg F in ideal conditions) where the heat-producing secondary combustion process begins. visit this web page link is the key step in efficiently burning fuel while reducing pollution and smoke that enters the flue.
It is important to know that the temperature needed for secondary combustion depends on the kind of fuel used and the surrounding conditions. Choose firewood that is well-seasoned and has a moisture content of less than 20% to reduce these variations.
The quantity of air that is delivered to a fire can also have a significant impact on the energy output and time to burn. The higher the amount of oxygen available, the hotter a fire will burn and the shorter its burn duration. A wood fire will produce less energy and burn at a slower rate when the air supply is limited.
To ensure maximum burn time and efficiency To maximize the efficiency and time of burn, a wood stove or fireplace insert should be fitted with an adjustable air damper. The wide-open setting lets the fire to get all the oxygen it can get and quickly exhaust the fuel supply. A fire that is contained within the confines of a small area is less likely to spread.
A well-dried firewood load is also essential to efficient wood burning. Freshly cut wood that hasn't been dried will contain a lot of water, making it difficult to burn. For the best performance, it is recommended that you only use seasoned wood that has been stored outside for six to nine month.
Another thing to consider is the BTU content of different kinds of wood. For example white pine or spruce trees might be less expensive than eastern hardwoods, such as black locust and shagbark hickory, but the BTU values of the latter are much more, meaning they provide more heat for the same amount of wood. This is why it's crucial to take into consideration your heating requirements and the fuel costs when selecting your firewood.
Clean Burning
Wood smoke can cause indoor air pollution that can cause irritation to lungs and respiratory distress in 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. When firewood is smuggled into the air the volatile tars like creosote also get released.
Smoke from old, poorly-designed wood stoves and fireplaces can contribute to poor outdoor air quality, making it harder to see and contributing to photochemical pollution. However, modern clean burning fireplaces and wood stoves with modern combustion technology, when used correctly, can greatly 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 when the log was dried to dry before burning. It also wastes energy that could be put to use heating your home.
In the flue, these vapors combine with carbon particles to create smoke. Smoke is among the major sources of particulate matter and smog that is found in the air.
If properly used when used correctly, wood stoves and fireplaces that use clean burn technology can lessen the problem by converting the logs to a charcoal-like state that releases less volatile gasses and generates most of the energy from the log into usable heat.
Avoid using damp, sour or rotten wood to ignite your fire. It's more difficult to burn and produces more creosote. Avoid overburdening the stove with brittle 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 bucket made of steel to scoop ashes from the stove, and wait for them to cool before handling them. Be sure to store or dispose of them in a safe manner - ashes can reignite in the presence of water and they are hazardous in landfills. Make use of them in your garden or at home.
Storing, seasoning and correctly burning your wood can help you save money and ensure your stove runs efficiently. Regularly cleaning your chimney is essential to eliminate creosote and particulates as well as other debris that has been deposited. This can also help prevent chimney fires as well as maintain safe operation.
Safety
It's hard to beat a warm fire on a chilly winter night However, precautions for safety should be taken. When fires are improperly built, burned or left unattended, hazardous fumes can be released into the house and creosote accumulations can form inside the chimney. These deposits can block the flue and decrease the flow of air, making your furnace or wood stove not to function as efficiently.
Do not burn treated, painted, or household trash in your wood-burning stove or fireplace. They release toxic gases and can release toxic fumes, such as carbon monoxide. Don't use the flammable liquids to ignite fires. Kerosene, gasoline and lighter fluids can increase emissions, create toxic creosote and could cause chimney fires.
Keep combustible objects like furniture, curtains, and even toys, at a safe distance from your stove or fireplace. Do not hang clothes near or on your wood-burning fireplace. Make sure your children are aware that the fire is hot and should not be touched.
Only make use of seasoned wood for your fireplace or stove. The wood that has been seasoned has been dried out over the summer months to decrease the moisture. Wet woods emit more smoke and creosote. On the other hand, the wood that has been seasoned is more efficient and clean. Seasoned wood looks darker, has cracks in the end grain, and is hollow when tapping. Store your logs outdoors stacked neatly, with the top covered, but allowing air to circulate around them.
Overloaded appliances produce more smoke, but less warmth. Overloaded fires can also generate dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. If you own an older appliance that has a metal liner, check it regularly for indications of wear. This could cause a chimney fire.
The EPA recommends reducing smoke in your home by using dry, split and well-seasoned wood and constructing a hot fire using small pieces. Avoid using soft woods like pine. very small wood burning stove is a good fuel for a fire, but shouldn't be used more than. These soft woods are brimming with sap and resin that when burned, create excessive creosote in the chimney.
Maintenance
Warming up in front of a fireplace with wood is a great way to enjoy the winter nights. It is crucial to maintain your fireplace to ensure that you receive the maximum enjoyment from your fireplace. Regularly cleaning and inspecting your fireplace is the best method to avoid any issues that might develop. wood burning stoves small prevents excessive creosote and helps keep the chimney clean to ensure maximum efficiency.
When wood doesn't burn completely it forms creosote in the chimney. If a significant amount of creosote is accumulated, it can trigger chimney fires which are the second-leading cause of house fires in the United States. There are a variety of factors that can cause a fire to fully burn, such as dampers that have not been properly closed or damaged in the chimney liner, and the absence of regular cleaning and ash removal.
Incorrectly seasoned wood contributes to the accumulation of creosote to an excessive degree. This is because up to half of the weight of a piece of wood is water. When the fire is burning the water boils and releases heat but it also consumes energy in the process. The water vapor created then condenses into creosote, or is released into the air as a part of smoke.
Soot is another noxious byproduct from burning wood. Soot is more pliable than creosote. However, it can adhere to the walls of your fireplace, and block air flow. It also poses an hazard to fire because it is a natural igniter when exposed to combustible gases.
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 the remains of the ashes are a good source of nutrients for your plants. Spread them around in your backyard!
It is recommended that a Certified Regency Dealer inspect your fireplace and chimney regularly. The technician will be able to check for cracks in the chimney, soot and creosote levels, a properly sealed 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 checked visually for obstructions. Consult your user's manual for instructions on how to accomplish this for the particular unit you have.