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Wood Burning Fires Need to Be Hot and Clean The warmth and ambiance of wood-burning fires are not just relaxing and captivating, but also essential to our health and well-being. They should be hot and clean to work. Green, or unseasoned, wood has a high moisture content which makes it difficult to light and burn efficiently. Kiln dried or seasoned wood has a lower moisture content, making it easier to light and maintain a flame. Efficient Combustion The wood fire should be hot enough to snuff out moisture and reach temperatures over 540 deg F. 800 deg F in ideal conditions) where the heat-producing secondary combustion process begins. This is the most crucial step to efficient combustion of the fuel and minimizing pollutants, smoke, and creosote accumulation in the flue. It is important to keep in mind that the temperature needed for secondary combustion varies with the type of fuel used and the conditions in the environment. Choose firewood that is well-seasoned and has less than 20% to reduce these variations. In addition, the amount of air that is pumped into the fire can greatly affect the amount of heat produced and time to burn. The more oxygen that is available, the faster the fire will burn. A wood fire will produce less energy and burn slower when the air supply is slowed. A fireplace or wood stove insert with an adjustable air damper will maximize the burn time and efficiency. A wide open setting allows the fire to use up all the oxygen available and quickly exhaust the fuel available for use. The reverse is true for a fire that is confined to a small area where the fire is unable to expand as much. A firewood pile that has been properly dried is crucial for efficient wood burning. Wood that is freshly cut and hasn't been allowed to dry 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 factor to consider. For instance, white pine or spruce trees might be cheaper than eastern hardwoods, such as black locust and shagbark hickory, however the BTU values of the latter are much higher, meaning they will provide more heat for the same amount of wood. freestanding wood burning stove is why it's important to consider your heating requirements and the fuel costs when selecting your firewood. Clean Burning Wood smoke can create indoor air pollution that 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 and volatile organic compounds, such as benzene. Volatile tars (such as creosote) are also released when firewood is burned. Smoke from old, poorly-designed fireplaces and wood stoves can contribute to poor outdoor air quality by decreasing visibility and causing photochemical pollution. However, modern clean burning fireplaces and wood stoves that incorporate modern combustion technology when properly used, can greatly reduce the emissions. Stage 1 – Moisture Vaporizes As the log gets heated, it releases water vapor which escapes up the chimney flue. This consumes more energy than it would have had the log been seasoned to dry before burning. This also wastes energy that could be used for heating your home. In the flue, the vapors mix with carbon particles to create smoke. Smoke is a major contributor to particulate matter in the air and is among the main sources of smog we experience on clear days. Fireplaces and wood stoves equipped with clean burn technology, when utilized correctly, can dramatically reduce this issue by burning the logs to charcoal state, which releases far less volatile gases, and producing the majority of the energy in the log from usable heat. Avoid using damp or sour wood to fuel your fire – it's more difficult to burn and produces a lot more creosote than well-seasoned wood. Don't over-load your stove with thin and soft wood such as fir or pine; it takes more energy to burn them and they produce more smoke which can cause chimney fires. Use a metal bucket to remove ashes from the stove, and wait until they cool before handling them. Keep or dispose of the ashes properly. They are able to ignite again when exposed to water, and are dangerous in landfills. Make use of them in your garden or at home. Properly storing, seasoning and burning your wood properly will save you money on fuel and will keep your stove running efficiently. It is also crucial to regularly clean your chimney to remove deposited creosote and other particles and also to prevent chimney fires and maintain the safety of the operation. Safety It's difficult to beat a warm fire on a chilly winter night however, precautions for safety must be taken. If fires are constructed incorrectly or left unattended, or if they are burned, dangerous fumes can enter the home. Creosote can also build up in the chimney. Visit Webpage can block the flue, block airflow, and cause your wood stove or furnace to work less efficiently. Never burn treated or painted wood, household trash, rags, paper and other combustible materials in your wood-burning stove or fireplace. They produce noxious gasses and release toxic fumes such as carbon monoxide. Avoid using flammable liquids as a fire starter. Gasoline, kerosene and lighter fluids can cause an increase in emissions, cause toxic creosote and could cause chimney fires. Keep combustibles such as furniture or curtains, as well as toys, at a safe distance from your stove or fireplace. Do not hang clothes on or near your wood-burning fireplace. Make sure your children know that the fire is hot and should not be touched. Only use seasoned wood for your fireplace or stove. Seasoned wood has been dried throughout the summer to decrease the moisture content. The wood that is damp produces more smoke and creosote, however, seasoned logs burn more efficiently and cleanly. The wood that is seasoned appears darker, has cracks in the end grain, and is hollow when tapping. Keep your logs outside stacked neatly with the top securing, but allowing air to circulate around them. Be cautious not to overload your fireplace or stove, as overloaded appliances generate more smoke and less heat. In addition, overloaded fires can produce dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. If you have an older appliance with an iron liner, you should inspect it frequently 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 then constructing a warm fire using small pieces. Avoid soft woods such as pine. Pine is a great starting material for the fire, but it shouldn't be used beyond that. These softer woods contain sap and resin that, when burned, deposit excessive 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 important to keep your fireplace in good condition to get the most enjoyment of it. Regular cleaning and inspection of your fireplace is the best way to prevent problems that could develop. This maintenance prevents excessive creosote and keeps the chimney clear for maximum efficiency. When wood doesn't burn completely and creosote builds up in the chimney. If a large amount of creosote is accumulated, it can trigger chimney fires, which are the second most common cause of house fires in the United States. The failure of a fire to burn completely can be caused by a variety of factors including dampers that aren't properly closed, cracks in the liner of the chimney as well as a lack of regular cleaning and removal of ash. Incorrectly seasoned wood contributes to an excessive buildup of creosote. Water can make up half of the weight of a wood piece. This water boils during the fire and releases heat. It also consumes energy. The resulting water vapor is then absorbed as creosote and released into the atmosphere as part of the smoke. Another harmful byproduct of burning wood is soot. Soot is softer than creosote. However, it can stick to the walls of your fireplace, and block air flow. It is also an ignition hazard since it is easily ignited when exposed to gases that are combustible. Take the ashes out of your fireplace and store 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 out in your backyard! Make sure you make sure that your chimney and fireplace are examined by a Regency Dealer Certified. The technician will be able to check for cracks in the chimney, soot and creosote levels, a properly shut damper and also the condition of your catalyst. If you have a double-stage chimney that includes an air tube, you must remove the catalyst and visually inspected for obstructions. Consult your user manual to find out the procedure for your fireplace.