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Wood Burning Fires Need to Be Hot and Clean The warmth and ambiance of a wood-burning fireplace is not only soothing and mesmerizing, but also essential to our health and well-being. They should be hot and clean to work. Green, or unseasoned, wood has high moisture content that makes it challenging to burn and light efficiently. Kiln dried, or seasoned wood has a low moisture content and is more easy to ignite and burn for longer. Efficient Combustion A wood fire must be hot enough to drive out moisture and reach temperatures above 540 deg F ( The process of producing heat from secondary combustion starts at 900 degrees F (in ideal conditions). This is the first step in efficient combustion of fuel and minimizing pollutants and smoke in the flue. It is important to note that the temperature needed for secondary combustion varies with the type of fuel and the conditions in the environment. Make sure to use firewood that is seasoned and has a less than 20% to limit the variations. The amount of air that is delivered to a fire can also have a significant influence on its temperature and burning time. The greater the oxygen supply, the hotter a fire can burn and the shorter its burn duration. A wood fire produces less energy and burn slower when the air supply is limited. A fireplace or wood stove insert fitted with an adjustable air damper can increase the time to burn and efficiency. A wide-open setting permits the fire to consume all the oxygen available and quickly exhaust the fuel available for use. A fire that is contained in the confines of a small area is less likely to spread. A firewood pile that has been dried properly is essential for efficient wood burning. Wood that hasn't been dried will contain a lot of water which makes it difficult to burn. For the best performance, it is recommended that you only use seasoned wood that has been stored outdoors for six to nine months. Another factor to consider is the BTU content of different kinds of wood. White pine and spruce might be less expensive than eastern hardwoods such as shagbark and hickory as well as black locust, but their BTU values are higher. This means that they'll generate more heat with the same amount of wood. This is the reason it's important to take into consideration your heating requirements and the fuel costs when selecting your firewood. Clean Burning Wood smoke can cause indoor air pollutants, which can cause irritation to the lungs and respiratory distress in children and seniors. These pollutants include volatile aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) like benzo-a pyrene and formaldehyde, as well as volatile organic compounds like benzene. When wood is burned and smolders, 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 smog. When used correctly however, modern technology for combustion in clean-burning wood stoves and places can help reduce the emissions. Stage 1 – The vaporization of moisture: As the wood heats it releases water vapour which escapes through the chimney flue. This takes more energy than if the log was dried prior to burning. This is a waste of energy which could be used to warm your home. The vapors in the flue with carbon particles, resulting in smoke. Smoke is one of the major contributors to particulate matter in the air and is among the main sources of smog we experience on clear days. If properly used, wood stoves and fireplaces that use clean burn technology can reduce this problem significantly by converting the logs to charcoal-like conditions, which releases less volatile gasses and generates most of the energy from the log into usable heat. Avoid using damp or sour wood for your fire as it is more difficult to burn and produces much more creosote than well-seasoned wood. Do not overload please click the following page with thin and soft woods like pine or fir. They require more energy to burn and create more smoke, which can cause chimney fires. Use a bucket made of steel to scoop up 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 since ashes could ignite when exposed to water, and they pose a risk in landfills. Instead, make sure to make use of them in your garden or at the home. Storing, seasoning and correctly burning your wood can help you save money and keep your stove running efficiently. Regularly cleaning your chimney is important to remove creosote, particulates, and other deposited matter. This will also prevent chimney fires as well as keep your chimney operating safely. Safety It's difficult to beat a warm fire on a cold winter night However, security precautions must be taken. When fires aren't properly built or burned, or left unattended, hazardous fumes could be released into the home, and potentially dangerous creosote deposits can build up within the chimney. These deposits can block the flue, impede airflow and cause your wood stove or furnace to operate less efficiently. Never burn treated or painted wood, household garbage, rags, paper and other combustible substances in your wood-burning stove or fireplace. They produce noxious gases and can release toxic fumes like carbon monoxide. Do not use liquids that are flammable as a starter. Gasoline, lighter fluid and kerosene may cause chimney fires, increase emissions, and cause toxic creosote. Keep flammable materials, such as furniture, curtains, and even toys, a safe distance from your stove or fireplace. Never hang clothing near or on your fireplace with wood burning. Make sure your children know that the fireplace is extremely hot and should not be touched. Only use seasoned wood in your fireplace or stove. The wood that has been seasoned has been dried during the summer months to decrease the amount of moisture. Woods that are damp emit more smoke and creosote. On the other hand, seasoned logs are more efficient and clean. Wood burner clearance sale that is seasoned is darker and has cracks along the end grain, and sounds hollow when you tap it. Store your logs outdoors stacked neatly, with the top covered, but allowing air to circulate around them. Be cautious not to over-load your fireplace or stove 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 with an aluminum liner, be sure to check it frequently for indications of wear. This can lead to a chimney fire. The EPA suggests reducing the amount of smoke in your home by using dry, split, and well-seasoned wood, and then constructing a warm fire with small pieces. Avoid soft woods such as pine. Pine is a great starting material for a fire, but shouldn't be used beyond that. These softer woods contain sap and resin, which, when burned, deposit large amounts of creosote into the chimney. Maintenance A warm evening in front of a wood-burning fireplace is a great option to relax during winter evenings. However, it is important to maintain your fireplace to ensure that you receive the maximum benefit from your fire. Regular inspections and cleaning of your fireplace will allow you avoid any issues. This prevents the build-up of creosote and keeps the chimney clear to ensure maximum efficiency. When wood doesn't burn completely and creosote builds up in the chimney. If a substantial amount of creosote builds up it can cause chimney fires which are the second leading cause of house fires in the United States. the advantage of a fire to fully burn is caused by a number of causes, including improperly closed dampers or cracks in the liner of the chimney as well as a lack of regular cleaning and ash removal. Creosote can build up excessively when wood is not properly prepared. Water can comprise half of the weight of a wood piece. During the fire it boils and releases heat but it also consumes energy in the process. The water vapor produced is then absorbed into creosote, or is released into the air as a part of smoke. Soot is a different harmful product of burning wood. Soot, while softer than creosote can block airflow and adhere to walls. It is also an ignition hazard since it easily ignites when exposed to gases that are combustible. Take the ashes out of your fireplace and put them in an ash bucket made from metal. Keep it outside on a non-flammable area. The ashes can also serve as an energy source for plants So don't forget to spread them around the yard! Regularly ensure that your chimney and fireplace are examined by a Regency Dealer certified. The technician will be able to look for cracks in the chimney, creosote and soot levels, a properly shut damper and the condition of your catalyst. If you have a two-stage fireplace that has an air tube, the catalyst should be removed and visually checked for obstructions. Check your user's manual to learn how to do this for your particular unit.