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Wood Burning Fires Need to Be Hot and Clean Wood burning fires are not just a relaxing and enchanting experience they're also a vital part of our health and well-being. They must be hot and clean to be effective. Green wood, also known as unseasoned wood has an excessive amount of moisture which makes it difficult to ignite and burn effectively. Kiln dried or seasoned wood has a low moisture content, making it much easier to ignite and maintain a flame. Efficient Combustion The wood fire should be hot enough to snuff out moisture and reach temperatures of over 540 deg F. The process of producing heat from secondary combustion starts at 900 degrees F (in ideal conditions). This is the most important step in efficient combustion of fuel and minimizing pollution and smoke that enters the flue. It is vital to realize that the temperature needed for secondary combustion is contingent on the type of fuel used and the conditions around it. The best way to minimize these variations is by using seasoned firewood with a moisture content below 20 percent. In addition, the amount of air that is supplied to the fire can greatly affect its heat 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 generate less energy and burn at a slower rate when the air supply is slowed. A wood stove or fireplace insert with an adjustable air damper can increase the burn time and efficiency. A wide-open setting permits the fire to consume all of its available oxygen and will quickly use up the fuel that is usable. A fire that is contained within an area of limited size is less likely to spread. A firewood load that has been properly dried is essential for efficient wood burning. If wood is cut fresh and hasn't had the chance to dry it will have a high water content, which can be difficult for logs to burn. It is recommended to only use well-seasoned firewood that has been stored outdoors for six to nine months to ensure optimal performance. The BTU content of wood is another factor to consider. White pine and spruce might be more affordable than eastern hardwoods such as shagbark and hickory as well as black locust, but their BTU numbers are higher. This means they'll produce more heat with the same amount of wood. This is the reason it's important to consider your heating requirements and the fuel costs when selecting your firewood. Clean Burning Wood smoke can cause indoor air pollution, which can cause irritation to the lungs and respiratory distress in seniors and children. These pollutants include volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like benzene and formaldehyde, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzo-a-pyrene, which can cause cancer. Volatile Tars (such as creosote) are also released when firewood burns. Smoke from older, poorly-designed fireplaces and wood stoves could contribute to poor outdoor air quality, reducing visibility and contributing to photochemical pollution. However, new, clean burning wood stoves and fireplaces equipped with modern technology for combustion, when used properly, can greatly reduce the emissions. Stage 1 – Vaporization of moisture: As the wood gets warmer it releases water vapour, which escapes through the chimney flue. This requires more energy than if the log had been dried before burning. This is a waste of energy which could be used to warm your home. In the flue, the vapors mix with carbon particles to form smoke. Smoke is one of the major contributors to particulate matter in the air and is among the major sources of smog that we encounter on clear days. When used correctly Wood stoves and fireplaces that use clean burn technology can lessen the problem by burning the logs into charcoal-like states that releases less volatile gasses and produces the majority of the energy produced by the log into usable heat. Avoid using damp or sour wood to fuel your fire because it's more difficult to burn and creates lots of creosote compared to well-seasoned wood. Also, don't overburden your stove with soft and thin wood such as fir or pine as it requires more energy to burn them, and they produce more smoke that can cause chimney fires. Use a bucket made of steel to scoop ashes from the stove, and always wait until they cool before handling them. Dispose of or store ashes in a safe manner. They can re-ignite when exposed to water and are hazardous in landfills. Instead, make sure to use them around your garden or in the house. Storing, seasoning and properly burning your wood can help you save money and keep your stove running efficiently. Cleaning your chimney regularly is essential to eliminate creosote, particulates and other debris that is deposited. This will also prevent chimney fires and keep your chimney operating safely. Safety There's nothing like a warm fire to keep warm during cold winter evenings, however proper safety precautions are essential. If fires are not properly constructed or tended to, or left unattended, harmful fumes can be released into the home, and potentially dangerous creosote deposits can build up within the chimney. These deposits could block the flue, inhibit airflow and cause your furnace or wood stove to run less efficiently. Never burn treated or painted wood, household waste paper, rags, and other combustible materials in your wood-burning stove or fireplace. They can release toxic fumes such as carbon dioxide and produce toxic gasses. Avoid using liquids that are flammable as a starter. Gasoline, kerosene and lighter fluid can increase emissions, cause toxic creosote and possibly cause chimney fires. Keep combustibles, like furniture, curtains and toys, at a safe distance from your stove or fireplace. Don't hang clothes near your wood-burning fireplace. Make sure your children know that the fireplace is hot and should not be touched. Use only seasoned wood for your stove or fireplace. The wood that has been seasoned has been dried during the summer months to lessen the moisture. Wet woods produce more smoke and creosote whereas seasoned logs burn much more efficiently and with less mess. Seasoned wood is darker and cracks appear along the end grain and makes a hollow sound when you tap it. Place your logs outdoors and stack them neatly with the top covered, but allowing air to circulate around them. The appliances that are overloaded generate more smoke and less warmth. Overloaded fires may also produce dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. If you own an older appliance that has a lining made of metal, you should inspect the liner frequently for signs of wear and tear that could cause an explosion in the chimney. The EPA suggests using dry, split and well-seasoned wood to minimize smoke in your home. Create a fire using small pieces. Avoid using soft woods such as pine, which can be a good starter material to get your fire up and running, but shouldn't be used for anything more than. These soft woods contain resin and sap that when burned, releases too much creosote in the chimney. Maintenance The warmth of a wood-burning fireplace is a great way to spend winter nights. It is crucial to maintain your fireplace to ensure that you get the most enjoyment from your fireplace. Regular cleaning and inspections of your fireplace will help you avoid any issues. This prevents excessive creosote accumulation and ensures that the chimney is clean for maximum efficiency. If wood burning stoves for sale doesn't completely burn and creosote builds up in the chimney. When a large amount of creosote accumulates it can result in chimney fires. They are the second leading cause of fires in homes across the United States. A number of issues can cause a fire to burn completely, including dampers that have not been properly closed, cracks in the chimney liner and a lack of regular cleaning and removal of ash. Creosote can accumulate excessively when wood is not properly treated. This is because nearly half of the weight of a piece of wood is water. This water boils during the fire and releases heat. It also consumes energy. The water vapor that is produced is then absorbed into creosote or is released into the air as a part of smoke. Another harmful byproduct of burning wood is soot. Soot is less brittle than creosote. However, it can stick to the walls of your fireplace and impede air circulation. It is also a fire hazard because it is easily ignited when exposed to gasses that are combustible. Take the ashes out of your fireplace and store them in an ash bucket made of metal. Keep it outside on a non-flammable area. Don't forget that ashes are a great source of nutrients for your plants. Spread them all over your backyard! It is recommended to ensure that your chimney and fireplace are checked by a Regency Dealer Certified. The technician will look for cracks, creosote and soot levels, a properly shut damper, and the condition of the catalyst. If you have a double-stage fireplace with an air tube, you should have the catalyst removed and visually checked for blockages. Consult your user manual to learn the procedure for your particular unit.