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Wood Burning Fires Need to Be Hot and Clean
Wood-burning fires aren't just a relaxing and enchanting experience they're also a vital element of our wellbeing and health. They must be hot and clean in order to be effective.
Unseasoned, or green, wood has a high moisture content that makes it challenging to burn and light efficiently. Seasoned, or kiln dried wood has low moisture content and is more easy to ignite and burn for longer.
Efficient Combustion
The wood fire must be sufficiently hot to eliminate water and reach temperatures that exceed 540 deg F. 900 degrees F in ideal conditions) where the heat-producing secondary combustion process starts. This is the most important step in efficiently burning fuel while reducing pollutants and smoke in the flue.
It is important to keep in mind that the temperature required for secondary combustion varies based on the type of fuel used and the conditions in the environment. The best method to reduce the variations is to use well-seasoned firewood that has less than 20%.
In addition, the amount of air that is supplied to the fire can greatly affect its heat output and time to burn. The more oxygen available, the hotter the fire will burn. If the supply of air is limited, however a wood fire produces less heat and burn at a lower rate.
A wood stove or fireplace insert fitted with an adjustable air damper can increase the time to burn and efficiency. The wide-open setting gives the fire to get all the oxygen it can get and will quickly exhaust the fuel supply. The converse is true of a fire that is confined to a small area where the fire is unable to expand as much.
A well-dried load of firewood is also critical for efficient wood burning. Wood that is freshly cut and hasn't been allowed to dry will contain a lot of water, making it difficult to burn. For optimal performance it is recommended you use only wood that has been seasoned that has been stored outdoors for six to nine month.
The BTU content of wood is another aspect 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 values are greater. This means they will produce more heat from the same amount of wood. It is important to consider your heating requirements and fuel costs when choosing your firewood.
Clean Burning
Wood smoke is a source of indoor air pollutants that irritate the lungs and can cause respiratory distress, particularly for older adults and children. These pollutants include volatile aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) like benzo-a pyrene and formaldehyde and volatile organic compounds, such as benzene. When wood is burned, volatile tars such as creosote are also released.
Smoke from old, poorly-designed fireplaces and wood stoves could contribute to poor outdoor air quality by decreasing visibility and causing photochemical pollution. However, new clean burning wood stoves and fireplaces equipped with modern technology for combustion, when properly used can drastically reduce these emissions.
Stage 1 - Moisture vapourizes: As the log heats up, it releases water vapor, that escapes down the chimney flue. This consumes more energy than if the log was seasoned to dry prior to burning. It also consumes energy that could be used for heating your home.
The vapors in the flue with carbon particles to produce smoke. Smoke is among the main sources of particulate matter and smog that is found in the air.
If used properly, wood stoves and fireplaces that use clean burn technology can help reduce the risk of this issue by converting the logs to a charcoal-like state, which releases less volatile gasses and produces most of the energy from the log as usable heat.
Avoid using damp, sour or rotten wood to light your fire. It's harder to burn and produces more creosote. Avoid overburdening the stove with brittle and thin woods like pine or fir. They require more energy to burn and generate more smoke, which can cause chimney fires.
Use a metal bucket to remove ashes from the stove, and always wait for them to cool before handling them. Store or dispose of the ashes properly. They could ignite again if exposed to water and are hazardous in landfills. Make use of them in your garden or at home.
Properly storing, seasoning and burning your wood correctly will save you money on fuel and keep your stove working efficiently. Cleaning your chimney on a regular basis is essential to eliminate creosote, particulates, and other deposited matter. This can also help prevent chimney fires as well as maintain safe operation.
Safety
It's difficult to beat a warm fireplace on a chilly winter night However, precautions for safety must be taken. When fires are built incorrectly and left unattended or burnt and a dangerous gas can be released into the home. Creosote can also build up in the chimney. These deposits can block the flue and decrease the flow of air, making your furnace or wood stove not to function as efficiently.
Never burn painted or treated wood, household garbage, rags, paper and other combustible materials in your wood-burning fireplace or stove. They could release toxic fumes like carbon dioxide and produce toxic gasses. Also, do not use the flammable liquids to ignite fires. Gasoline, kerosene and lighter fluids can increase emissions, cause toxic creosote and possibly cause chimney fires.
Keep combustible objects, such as furniture, curtains and toys away from your stove or fireplace. Don't hang clothes near your fireplace that is wood burning. Children should be taught that the fireplace is hot and should not be touched.
Only make use of seasoned wood for your stove or fireplace. The wood that is seasoned has been dried over the summer months to decrease the moisture. The wood that is damp produces more smoke and creosote, while seasoned logs burn more efficiently and cleanly. Seasoned small wood burning heater looks darker and cracks appear in the end grain and sounds hollow when tapped. Keep your logs outside, neatly stacked and with the top partially covered but still allowing air circulation around them.
Be careful not to over-load 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 insulated metal liner, check the liner on a regular basis for signs of wear and tear that can cause a chimney fire.
The EPA recommends reducing smoke in your home by using dry, split, and well-seasoned wood and constructing a hot fire with small pieces. Avoid using soft woods like pine. Pine is a great starting material for a fire, but shouldn't be used more than. These soft woods contain sap and resin which is a result of burning, and deposits too much creosote in the chimney.
Maintenance
A warm fire in a wood-burning fireplace is an ideal method to relax during the cold nights of winter. It is crucial to maintain your fireplace to ensure that you reap the maximum enjoyment from your fireplace. Regularly cleaning and inspecting your fireplace is the best method to avoid problems that may occur. This prevents the accumulation of creosote buildup, and also keeps the chimney clear to ensure maximum efficiency.
Creosote, a dark, crusty flammable substance that forms in the flue when wood does not completely burn. If a significant amount of creosote accumulates, it can trigger chimney fires which are the second-leading cause of house fires in the United States. The failure of a fire to completely burn can be caused by a number of reasons, including improperly closed dampers and cracks in the liner of the chimney, and a lack or regular cleaning and removal of ash.
Wood that is not properly seasoned can cause an excessive buildup of creosote. Water can comprise half of the weight of a wood piece. During the fire it boils and releases heat but it also consumes energy in the process. The water vapor produced then condenses into creosote, or is released into the air as part of smoke.
Soot is another noxious byproduct from burning wood. Soot, though less dense than creosote, is able to block airflow and stick to the walls. It is also a fire hazard because it ignites easily 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 the dust is a fantastic source of nutrients for your plants. Spread them all over your backyard!
It is recommended to make sure that your chimney and fireplace are checked by a Regency Dealer certified. The technician can check 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, it is recommended to have the catalyst removed and visually checked for obstructions. Refer to the user manual to find out the procedure for your particular unit.
Website: https://click4r.com/posts/g/18500727/10-tips-for-modern-wood-burner-that-are-unexpected
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