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Wood Burning Fires Need to Be Hot and Clean Wood-burning fires aren't only relaxing and captivating, but they're a critical part of our wellbeing and health. They need to be warm and clean to work. Green wood, or unseasoned wood, has an excessive amount of moisture which makes it difficult to ignite and burn efficiently. The seasoned, or kiln dried wood has low moisture content and is more easy to light and keep burning. Efficient Combustion A wood fire has to be hot enough to push out moisture and reach temperatures above 540 deg F ( The process of producing heat from secondary combustion begins at around 900 degrees F (in ideal conditions). This is the key step in efficient combustion of fuel and minimizing emissions and smoke in the flue. modern wood burner is important to keep in mind that the temperature required for secondary combustion is dependent on the type of fuel used and the conditions in the environment. The best way to limit the variations is to use well-seasoned firewood that has an average moisture content of less than 20%. The quantity of air that is delivered to a fire can also have a significant influence on its heat output and burning time. The more oxygen available the hotter a fire can burn and the shorter its burn time. A wood fire produces less energy and burn slower when the air supply is restricted. A fireplace or wood stove insert that has an adjustable air damper will maximize the time to burn and efficiency. Wide open settings allow the fire to use up all of its available oxygen and will quickly use up the fuel available for use. A fire that is contained in an area of limited size is less likely to spread. A well-dried firewood load is also critical to efficient wood burning. When wood is freshly cut and hasn't had a chance to dry out, it will have high water content, which may make it difficult for logs to burn. To ensure optimal performance it is recommended you use only seasoned wood that has been stored outside for six to nine months. Another factor to consider is the BTU content of various types of wood. White pine and spruce could be cheaper than eastern hardwoods like shagbark, hickory and black locust, but their BTU values are greater. This means that they'll produce more heat with the same amount of wood. It is crucial to take into account your heating needs and fuel costs when choosing your firewood. Clean Burning Wood smoke produces indoor air pollutants that irritate the lungs and trigger respiratory distress, particularly for children and seniors. These pollutants comprise volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as benzene and formaldehyde, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, such as benzo-apyrene, can cause cancer. Volatile Tars (such as creosote) are also released when firewood is burned. Smoke from poorly-designed wood stoves and fire places could contribute to poor air quality in the outside by decreasing visibility and causing photochemical pollution. If used properly, however, modern combustion technology in new wood stoves that burn clean and in fire places can reduce these emissions. Stage 1 – Moisture Vaporizes As the log heats up it releases water vapor which escapes through the chimney flue. This requires more energy than if the log was dried prior to burning. It also wastes energy that could be used for to heat your home. The vapors in the flue with carbon particles to produce smoke. Smoke is one of the major sources of particulate matter and smog in the air. Fireplaces and wood stoves that use clean burn technology, if utilized correctly, can dramatically reduce the risk of this by burning the logs to charcoal state that releases less volatile gases, and producing most of the energy in the log from usable heat. Avoid using damp, sour or decayed wood to light your fire. It's harder to burn and generates more creosote. Don't overload the stove with thin and soft woods such as fir or pine. They require more energy to burn and create more smoke, which could cause chimney fires. Always wait until the ashes have cool before handling them. Keep or dispose of the ashes properly. They could ignite again if exposed to water and can be dangerous in landfills. Make use of them in your garden or at home instead. Storing, seasoning and correctly burning your wood will help you save money and ensure that your stove is operating efficiently. It is also essential to clean your chimney regularly to remove deposited creosote and particles as well as to avoid chimney fires and ensure the safety of your 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 and left unattended or burnt, dangerous fumes can enter the home. Creosote may also build up in the chimney. These deposits could block the flue, inhibit the flow of air and cause your furnace or wood stove to operate less efficiently. Do not burn treated, painted, or household garbage in your wood-burning stove or fireplace. They can release toxic fumes like carbon dioxide and create toxic gases. Avoid using liquids that are flammable as a starter. Gasoline, lighter fluid, and kerosene could cause chimney fires, increase emissions, and cause toxic creosote. Keep flammable materials, such as furniture, curtains and toys, a safe distance from your stove or fireplace. Do not hang clothes on or near your wood-burning fireplace. Make sure that children understand that the fire is hot and should not be touched. Only use seasoned wood for your fireplace or stove. The wood that has been seasoned has been dried out over the summer months to decrease moisture. Wood that is wet produces more creosote and smoke, whereas seasoned logs burn much more efficiently and with less mess. Seasoned wood looks darker, has cracks in the end grain and makes a hollow sound when it is tapped. Store your logs outside, neatly stacked with the top covered, but permitting air circulation around them. Be careful not to overload your fireplace or stove because overloaded appliances produce more smoke and less heat. Fires that are overloaded can also produce dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. If you own an older appliance with a lining made of metal, you should inspect the liner regularly for signs of wear and tear that could cause a chimney fire. The EPA recommends using dry, split, and well-seasoned wood to minimize the amount of smoke you breathe in your home. Build a hot fire by using small pieces. Avoid using soft woods like pine, which are a great for starting your fire up and running, but should not be used for anything more than. These woods with softer sap contain and resin that, when burned, deposit large amounts of creosote into the chimney. Maintenance Warming up in front of a fireplace that is wood-burning is a wonderful way to spend winter nights. But, it is essential to maintain your fireplace to ensure that you receive the maximum benefits from your fire. Regular cleaning and inspections of your fireplace will help you to avoid any problems. This prevents creosote buildup and keeps the chimney clean for maximum efficiency. Creosote is a dark, crusty flammable material that forms in the flue when wood does not burn completely. If a significant amount of creosote accumulates, 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 number of factors, including improperly closed dampers and cracks in the chimney's liner as well as a lack of regular cleaning and removal of ash. Incorrectly seasoned wood contributes to the accumulation of creosote to an excessive degree. This is due to the fact that up to half 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 during the process. The water vapor that results is then absorbed as creosote or released into the air 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 impede air circulation. It is also a fire risk because it ignites easily when exposed to gasses that are combustible. Take the ashes out of your fireplace and put them in an ash container made of metal. Keep it outside on a non-flammable surface. The ashes can also serve as sources of nutrients for plants Don't forget to scatter them across the yard! You should have a Certified Regency Dealer inspect your fireplace and chimney regularly. The technician can check for cracks in the chimney, soot and creosote levels, a properly closed damper and the condition of your catalyst. If you have a two-stage chimney that has an air tube, the catalyst must be removed and visually inspected for blockages. Refer to your user manual for instructions on how to do this for your particular unit.