Why We Do We Love Wood Burning Fires (And You Should Also!)
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. But, they must be hot and clean to work effectively.
Green wood, or unseasoned wood, has a high moisture content, making it difficult to ignite and burn efficiently. The seasoned, or kiln dried wood has a low moisture content and is easier to light and burn for longer.
Efficient Combustion
The fire in the wood must be hot enough to snuff out moisture and reach temperatures of over 540 degrees F. The process of producing heat from secondary combustion starts at 900 degrees F (in ideal conditions). This is the most crucial step in efficiently burning the fuel and minimizing pollutants smoke, creosote, and buildup in the flue.
It is crucial to remember that the temperature needed for secondary combustion varies based on the type of fuel used and the conditions of the environment. The best way to limit these variations is by using dry firewood that is seasoned and has a moisture content below 20%.
The quantity of air being provided to a flame will also have an important impact on the temperature and burning time. The higher the amount of oxygen available, the more hot a fire will burn and the shorter its burn time. A wood fire will produce less energy and burn at a slower rate when the air supply is restricted.
A fireplace or wood stove insert fitted with an adjustable air damper will increase burn time and efficiency. The wide-open setting allows the fire to take all the oxygen it can get and quickly draw down the fuel supply. The reverse is true for the fire that is restricted to a smaller area where the fire is unable to expand as much.
A firewood pile that is well-dried is also crucial for efficient wood burning. Wood that is freshly cut and isn't dried will have a high water content which makes it difficult to burn. For optimal performance, it is recommended that you use only seasoned wood that has been stored outdoors for six to nine month.
The BTU content of wood is another aspect to take into consideration. White pine and spruce may be less expensive than eastern hardwoods like shagbark, hickory and black locust, but their BTU values are greater. This means that they will produce more heat with the same amount of wood. It is important to take into account your heating needs and fuel costs when choosing your firewood.
Clean Burning
Wood smoke can create indoor air pollutants, which can irritate lungs and cause respiratory discomfort in senior citizens and children. These pollutants include volatile aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) like benzo-a pyrene and formaldehyde as well as volatile organic compounds such as benzene. When wood is burned, volatile tars such as creosote can also be released.
Smoke from poorly-designed wood stoves and fire places could contribute to poor air quality outside, reducing visibility and contributing photochemical smog. However, modern clean burning fireplaces and wood stoves with modern combustion technology, when used properly can drastically reduce the emission.
Stage 1 - The vaporization of Moisture: As the log heats it releases water vapour, which escapes through the chimney flue. This consumes more energy than if the log was seasoned to dry prior to burning. It also consumes energy that could be used for to heat your home.
In the flue, the vapors mix with carbon particles and form smoke. Smoke is among the main sources of particulate matter and smog in the air.
If used properly, wood burning stove for shed and fireplaces that use clean burn technology can reduce this problem significantly by burning the logs into charcoal-like conditions that releases less volatile gasses and generates most of the energy from the log as usable heat.
Avoid using damp, sour or rotten wood to ignite your fire. It's more difficult to burn and produces more creosote. Don't over-load your stove with thin and soft wood like pine or fir It takes more energy to burn them and they also produce more smoke that can cause chimney fires.
Always wait until the ashes are cool before handling them. Be sure to store or dispose of them correctly since ashes could ignite if exposed to water, and they pose a risk in landfills. Make indoor wood burning stove of them in your garden or at home instead.
Storing, seasoning and properly burning your wood can help you save money and keep your stove running efficiently. Cleaning your chimney on a regular basis is important to remove creosote and particulates as well as other debris that is deposited. This can also stop chimney fires as well as ensure safe operation.
Safety
It's difficult to beat a warm fireplace on a cold winter night however, security precautions should be taken. If fires are not properly constructed or tended to, or left unattended, harmful fumes can be released into the house and creosote accumulations can form inside the chimney. These deposits can clog the flue, impede the flow of air and cause your wood stove or furnace to run less efficiently.
Never burn treated or painted wood, household garbage paper, rags, and other combustible substances in your wood-burning stove or fireplace. They can emit toxic fumes, such as carbon dioxide and produce toxic gasses. Do not use the flammable liquids for a fire starter. Kerosene, gasoline and lighter fluid can increase emissions, produce toxic creosote and could cause chimney fires.
Keep combustibles, like furniture or curtains, as well as toys, at a safe distance away from your stove or fireplace. Don't hang clothing close to or on your fireplace with wood burning. Children should be taught that the fireplace is hot and should not be touched.
Only use wood that is seasoned in your fireplace or stove. The wood that is seasoned has been dried out over the summer months to reduce moisture. Wet woods produce more smoke and creosote, whereas seasoned logs burn much more cleanly and more efficiently. The wood that has been seasoned is darker, has cracks along the grain's end, and sounds hollow when you tap it. Store your logs outside, neatly stacked and with the top partially covered but still allowing air circulation to them.
The appliances that are overloaded generate more smoke and less warmth. In addition, overloaded fires can produce unsafe carbon monoxide levels. If you have an older appliance with an aluminum liner, be sure to check it regularly for signs of wear. This could cause a chimney fire.
The EPA recommends reducing smoke inside your home by using dry, split, and well-seasoned wood and building a hot fire using small pieces. Avoid using soft woods such as pine. Pine is a good fuel for a fire, but shouldn't be used more than. These woods with softer sap contain and resin that burns, if burned, will create an excessive amount of creosote in the chimney.
Maintenance
A warm flame in a wood burning fireplace is an ideal way to warm up during the cold nights of winter. It is crucial to maintain your fireplace to ensure that you reap the maximum benefits from your fire. Regular cleaning and inspections of your fireplace will help you avoid any issues. This prevents excessive creosote buildup and keeps the chimney clear for maximum efficiency.
Creosote is a dark and hard, flammable substance that develops in the flue when wood doesn't burn completely. When a large amount of creosote builds up it can result in chimney fires. These are the second leading cause of house fires across the United States. A variety of issues could contribute to a fire's failure to completely burn, including dampers that are not properly sealed and cracks in the chimney liner, and an absence of regular cleaning and ash removal.
Wood that is not properly seasoned can cause the accumulation of creosote to an excessive degree. This is because nearly half of the weight of a piece of wood is water. In the course of a fire it boils and releases heat, but it also consumes energy in the process. The resulting water vapor is then absorbed as creosote, or released into the atmosphere as part of the smoke.
Soot is another noxious product of burning wood. Soot, while softer than creosote can block airflow and adhere to walls. It can also be an ignition risk since it ignites easily when exposed to gasses that are combustible.
Remove the ashes from your fireplace and put them in an ash container made of metal. Keep it outside on an unflammable surface. The ashes can also serve as an energy source for plants Don't forget to spread them out across the lawn!
Make sure you have your fireplace and chimney checked by a Regency Dealer Certified. The technician will be able to check for cracks in the chimney, creosote and soot levels, a properly sealed damper and also the condition of your catalyst. If you have a two-stage fireplace that includes an air tube the catalyst should be removed and visually inspected for obstructions. Refer to your user manual for instructions on how to do this for your particular unit.