Why You Should Focus On Enhancing Wood Burning Fires
Wood Burning Fires Need to Be Hot and Clean
The warmth and ambience of a wood-burning fireplace is not just soothing and enchanting, but also essential to our health and well-being. They must be hot and clean to be effective.
Green wood, also known as unseasoned wood is characterized by high levels of moisture, making it difficult to ignite and burn effectively. The seasoned, or kiln dried wood has a lower moisture content and is more easy to light and keep burning.
Efficient Combustion
The wood fire must be sufficiently hot to burn off moisture and reach temperatures over 540 deg F. The process of producing heat from secondary combustion begins at 900 degrees F (in ideal conditions). This is the most important process for efficiently burning the fuel while minimizing pollution, smoke, and creosote accumulation in the flue.
It is important to note that the temperature needed for secondary combustion is dependent on the type of fuel used and the environmental conditions. Choose firewood that is well-seasoned and has less than 20% to limit the variations.
In addition, the quantity of air that is pumped into the fire can greatly affect its heat output and time to burn. The greater the oxygen supply, the more hot a fire will burn and the shorter its burn duration. A wood fire produces less energy and burn at a slower rate when the air supply is restricted.
A wood stove or fireplace insert fitted with an adjustable air damper will maximize the burn time and efficiency. The wide-open setting gives the fire to get all the oxygen it can get and will quickly exhaust the fuel supply. This is not the case with an area that is limited to a smaller area in which the fire cannot expand as much.
A load of firewood that is well-dried is also essential for efficient wood burning. When wood is freshly cut and hasn't had the chance to dry, it will have high water content, which could make it difficult for logs to burn. For optimal performance it is recommended that you use only seasoned wood 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 more affordable than eastern hardwoods like shagbark, hickory and black locust, but their BTU values are higher. This means that they'll produce more heat from the same amount of wood. It is crucial to consider your heating needs and the cost of fuel when selecting your firewood.
Clean Burning
Wood smoke can cause 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 burned.
Smoke from older, poorly-designed fireplaces and wood stoves could contribute to poor outdoor air quality by reducing visibility and contributing to photochemical pollution. If properly used however modern combustion technology in new clean-burning wood stoves and fire places can help reduce the emissions.
Stage 1 - Vaporization moisture: As the log gets warmer, it releases water vapour, which escapes through the chimney flue. This requires more energy than if the log had been 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 to produce smoke. Smoke is one of the main sources of particulate matter and smog that is found in the air.
If used properly Wood stoves and fireplaces using clean burn technology can reduce this problem significantly by burning the logs into charcoal-like states, which releases less volatile gasses and releases the majority of the energy produced by the logs as usable heat.
Avoid using damp or sour wood to fuel your fire - it's more difficult to burn and creates a lot more creosote than well-seasoned wood. Do not overload your stove with brittle and thin woods like pine or fir. They require more energy to burn and create more smoke, which could cause chimney fires.
Use a metal bucket to scoop ashes from the stove, and wait until they cool before handling them. Dispose of or store ashes correctly. They could ignite again if exposed to water and are dangerous in landfills. Use please click the next page in your garden or at your home.
Properly properly storing, seasoning and burning your wood will save you money on fuel and will keep your stove functioning efficiently. Cleaning your chimney regularly is crucial to get rid of creosote and particulates as well as other debris that is deposited. This can also stop chimney fires and keep your chimney operating safely.
Safety
There's nothing better than a warm fire to keep warm during cold winter nights, but the right safety precautions are essential. If fires are not constructed correctly or left unattended, or if they are burned the risk of dangerous fumes entering the home. Creosote also builds up in the chimney. These deposits can clog the flue, inhibit airflow, and cause your furnace or wood stove to run less efficiently.
Never burn painted or treated wood, household garbage paper, rags, or other combustible materials in your wood-burning stove or fireplace. They produce noxious gases and may release toxic fumes, such as carbon monoxide. Don't use flammable liquids to start fires. british wood burning stoves , lighter fluid and kerosene could cause chimney fires which can increase emissions and create toxic creosote.
Keep combustible objects, such as curtains, furniture and toys, a safe distance from your fireplace or stove. Never hang clothing near or on your wood-burning fireplace. Children should be taught that the fireplace is very hot and shouldn't be touched.
Make sure to use only wood that has been seasoned for your stove or fireplace. The wood that has been seasoned has been dried over the summer months to reduce the moisture. Wood that is wet produces more smoke and creosote, while seasoned logs burn more efficiently and cleanly. The wood that is seasoned appears darker and cracks appear in the end grain and is hollow when tapped. Store your logs outdoors stacked neatly with the top covered and allowing air to circulate around them.
The appliances that are overloaded generate more smoke, but less warmth. 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 an explosion in the chimney.
The EPA recommends reducing smoke inside your home by using dry, split and well-seasoned wood, and then constructing a warm fire using small pieces. Avoid soft woods such as pine. Pine is a good starter material for an open flame, but should not be used for more than. These soft woods are brimming with sap and resin that when burned, create an excessive amount of creosote in 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 receive the maximum enjoyment from your fireplace. Regular inspections and cleaning of your fireplace can help you avoid any issues. This prevents excessive creosote buildup, and also ensures that the chimney is clean for maximum efficiency.
When wood doesn't burn completely and creosote builds up in the chimney. When a large amount of creosote builds up it can cause chimney fires. These are the second most common causes of house fires across the United States. A variety of issues could cause a fire to fail to fully burn, such as dampers that have not been properly closed, cracks in the chimney liner, and an absence of regular cleaning and removal of ash.
Creosote may build up excessively when wood is not properly seasoned. Water can make up half of the weight of a wood piece. When the fire is burning it boils and releases heat, but it also consumes energy in the process. The resulting water vapor is then condensed into creosote or released into the atmosphere as part of the smoke.
Soot is a different harmful byproduct of burning wood. Soot is more pliable than creosote, however it can cling to the walls of your fireplace, and block air circulation. It also poses an ignition hazard since it easily ignites when exposed to gases that are combustible.
Remove the ashes from your fireplace and put them in an ash bucket made of metal. Keep it outside on an unflammable surface. The Ash can also be used as sources of nutrients for plants So don't forget to spread them around the backyard!
It is recommended to make sure that your chimney and fireplace are examined by a Regency Dealer Certified. The technician can check for cracks in the chimney, creosote and soot levels, a properly shut damper and the condition of your catalyst. If please click the next page have a two-stage fireplace that includes an air tube, the catalyst must be removed and visually checked for blockages. Refer to your user manual for directions on how to accomplish this for the particular unit you have.