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20 Resources To Make You More Efficient With Wood Burning Fires
Wood Burning Fires Need to Be Hot and Clean

The warmth and ambience of wood-burning fires are not only soothing and mesmerizing, but also essential to our health and well-being. They must be hot and clean to work.

Green wood, also known as unseasoned wood, has a high moisture content which makes it difficult to ignite and burn efficiently. Kiln dried or seasoned wood has a lower moisture content, making it much easier to light and keep a flame.

Efficient Combustion

A wood fire needs to be sufficiently hot to draw out water and reach temperatures that are above 540 deg F ( 900 deg F in ideal conditions) at which the secondary combustion process begins. This is the key step to efficiently burning fuel and minimizing emissions and smoke in the flue.

It is important to know that the temperature needed for secondary combustion depends on the type of fuel used and the surrounding conditions. Make sure to use firewood that is seasoned and has a less than 20% to reduce the variations.

The quantity of air delivered to a fire will also have an important impact on its energy output and time to burn. The higher the amount of oxygen available, the hotter a fire will burn and the shorter its burn duration. When the air supply is limited, however a wood fire will produce less heat and burn slower.

A wood stove or fireplace insert that has an adjustable air damper will increase the burn time and efficiency. The wide-open setting gives the fire to take all the oxygen it needs and quickly draw down the fuel supply. A fire that is contained within an area of limited size is less likely to spread.

A dry load of firewood is also critical to efficient wood burning. When cheap woodburner is cut just recently and hasn't had the chance to dry it will have a high water content, which can be difficult to burn. To ensure optimal performance it is recommended that you only use seasoned wood that has been stored outside for six to nine month.

The BTU content of wood is a different factor to take into consideration. White pine and spruce might be more affordable than eastern hardwoods, such as shagbark and hickory as well as black locust, but their BTU values are greater. This means they'll generate more heat for the same amount of wood. This is why it's important to think about your heating needs and the fuel costs when selecting your firewood.

Clean Burning

Wood smoke is a source of indoor air pollutants that can irritate the lungs and cause respiratory distress, especially for older adults and children. These pollutants include volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like benzene and formaldehyde, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons like benzo-a-pyrene, that are carcinogenic. Volatile tars (such as creosote) are also released when firewood is burnt.

Smoke from old, poorly designed wood stoves and fireplaces can contribute to poor outdoor air quality, making it harder to see and contributing to photochemical smog. However, new clean burning wood stoves and fireplaces with modern combustion technology, when properly used, can greatly reduce the emissions.

Stage 1 - Moisture vapourizes: As the log heats up it releases water vapor, which escapes through the chimney flue. This is more energy-intensive than when the log was dried prior to burning. It also wastes energy that could be put to use warming your home.

In the flue, the vapors mix with carbon particles to form smoke. Smoke is one of the main sources of particulate matter and smog that is found in the air.

Fireplaces and wood stoves that use clean burn technology, if used correctly, can significantly reduce this issue by converting the wood to charcoal state, which releases far less volatile gasses, and creating the majority of the energy contained in the log from usable heat.

Avoid using damp or sour wood to fuel your fire because it's more difficult to burn and creates a lot more creosote than well-seasoned wood. Avoid overburdening the stove with soft and thin woods like pine or fir. They require more energy to burn and generate more smoke, which could cause chimney fires.

Always wait until the ashes are cool before handling them. Keep or dispose of ashes in a safe manner. They are able to ignite again when exposed to water, and are dangerous in landfills. Use them in your garden or at your home.

Properly storing, seasoning and burning your wood correctly will save you money on fuel and ensure that your stove is running efficiently. It is also important to clean your chimney regularly to remove creosote that has been deposited and other particles, as well as prevent chimney fires and ensure the safety of your operation.

Safety

There's nothing like a cozy fire to while away chilly winter nights, but the right safety precautions are essential. If fires are not properly constructed or tended to, or left unattended, hazardous fumes can be released into the house and creosote deposits may build up inside the chimney. These deposits can block the chimney and restrict airflow, causing your wood stove or furnace not to function as efficiently.

Never burn treated or painted wood, household trash paper, rags, and other combustible materials inside your wood-burning stove or fireplace. They release toxic fumes like carbon dioxide and create toxic gasses. Avoid using the flammable liquids for a fire starter. Kerosene, gasoline and lighter fluid can increase emissions, cause toxic creosote, and even cause chimney fires.


Keep combustible objects like furniture, curtains and toys, at a safe distance from your stove or fireplace. Do not hang clothes near or on your wood-burning fireplace. Children should be taught that the fireplace is very hot and should not be touched.

Only make use of seasoned wood for your fireplace or stove. Seasoned wood has been dried during the summer months to reduce the moisture content. Wet woods produce more smoke and creosote, whereas seasoned logs burn much more efficiently and cleanly. The wood that is seasoned appears darker, has cracks in the end grain, and makes a hollow sound when it is tapped. Store your logs outdoors stacked neatly with the top covered, but allowing air to circulate around them.

The appliances that are overloaded generate more smoke and less warmth. In addition, overloaded fires can 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 a chimney fire.

The EPA recommends reducing smoke inside your home by using dry, well-seasoned, split and dry wood and building a hot fire with small pieces. Avoid using wood burning stove in conservatory , like pine, which can be a good starting material to get your fire up and running however shouldn't be used for more than that. These softer woods have sap and resin which, when burnt, deposits excessive creosote inside the chimney.

Maintenance

A warm flame in a wood burning fireplace is the perfect way to warm up during the cold nights of winter. It is important to maintain your fireplace in order to get the most out of it. Regular cleaning and inspections of your fireplace can help you to avoid any problems. This prevents the accumulation of creosote accumulation and keeps the chimney clean to ensure maximum efficiency.

Creosote is a dark and crusty flammable substance that forms in the flue when wood doesn't burn completely. When a lot of creosote accumulates it can result in chimney fires. These are the second leading causes of house fires across the United States. The failure of a fire to burn completely can be caused by a number of factors, including improperly closed dampers or cracks in the chimney's liner as well as a lack of regular cleaning and ash removal.

Wood that is not properly seasoned can cause the buildup of creosote in excess. This is because up to half the weight of a piece wood is water. The water boils during fire and releases heat. It also consumes energy. The water vapor produced is then absorbed into creosote, or is released into the air as a part of smoke.

Soot is a different harmful product of burning wood. Soot is softer than creosote. However, it can adhere to the walls of your fireplace and impede air circulation. It also poses an ignition hazard since it is easily ignited when exposed to gases that are combustible.

It is recommended to remove the ashes and put them in an ash bucket made of metal that you can keep outside on a nonflammable surface. Don't forget that the dust is a fantastic source of nutrients for your plants. Spread them all over your yard!

You should have a Certified Regency Dealer inspect your fireplace and chimney regularly. The technician can check for cracks in the chimney, creosote and soot levels, a properly sealed damper, and the condition of your catalyst. If you have a double-stage fireplace with an air tube, you should remove the catalyst and inspected visually for obstructions. Check your user's manual to find out how to do this for your unit.

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