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15 Incredible Stats About Wood Burning Fires
Wood Burning Fires Need to Be Hot and Clean

Wood-burning fires aren't just a relaxing and enchanting experience They're also an essential aspect of our health and well-being. But, talks about it must be clean and hot in order to function effectively.

Green wood, also known as unseasoned wood has an excessive amount of moisture, making it difficult to ignite and burn efficiently. The seasoned, or kiln dried wood has a lower moisture content and is more easy to ignite and burn for longer.

Efficient Combustion

A wood fire needs to be sufficiently hot to draw out moisture and reach temperatures above 540 degrees F ( 900 degrees F in ideal conditions) in ideal conditions) where the secondary combustion process begins. This is the first step to efficient combustion of fuel and minimizing emissions and smoke in the flue.

It is important to note that the temperature required for secondary combustion varies based on the type of fuel and the conditions of the environment. The best way to limit the variation is to use dry firewood that is seasoned and has a moisture content below 20%.

The amount of air delivered to a fire can also have a significant influence on its temperature and burning time. The more oxygen that is available, the faster the fire will burn. A wood fire produces less energy and burn at a slower rate when the air supply is limited.

A fireplace or wood stove insert that has an adjustable air damper can increase burn time and efficiency. The wide-open setting lets the fire all the oxygen it needs and will quickly exhaust the fuel supply. A fire that is contained in the confines of a small area is less likely to spread.

A dry load of firewood is also critical for efficient wood burning. Freshly cut wood that hasn't been dried will contain a lot of water which makes it difficult to burn. It is recommended to use only well-seasoned firewood that has been stored outdoors for between six and nine months to ensure optimal performance.

The BTU content of wood is a different factor to consider. White pine and spruce might be less expensive than eastern hardwoods, such as shagbark, hickory, and black locust, however their BTU values are higher. This means they will produce more heat from the same amount of wood. This is why it's important to think about your heating needs and fuel costs when selecting your firewood.

Clean Burning

Wood smoke produces indoor air pollutants that can irritate the lungs and cause respiratory distress, particularly for older adults and children. These pollutants include volatile aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) such as benzo-a-pyrene and formaldehyde and volatile organic compounds, such as benzene. Volatile Tars (such as creosote) are also released when firewood is burnt.

Smoke from older, poorly-designed fireplaces and wood stoves can contribute to poor outdoor air quality by reducing visibility and contributing to photochemical pollution. However, new clean burning wood stoves and fireplaces that incorporate modern combustion technology when used properly, can greatly reduce the emissions.


Stage 1 - Vaporization Moisture: As the log warms, it releases water vapour that escapes through the chimney flue. This requires more energy than when the log was dried prior to burning. This wastes energy which could be used to warm your home.

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

If properly used Wood stoves and fireplaces that utilize clean burn technology can help reduce the problem by converting the logs to charcoal-like states, which releases less volatile gasses and generates most of the energy from the log into usable heat.

Avoid using damp, sour or decayed wood to light your fire. It is more difficult to burn and creates more creosote. Don't over-load your stove with soft and thin wood like pine or fir; it takes more energy to burn them and they create more smoke that can cause chimney fires.

Use a bucket made of steel to scoop ashes from the stove, and always wait until they cool before handling them. Dispose of or store ashes in a safe manner. They are able to ignite again when exposed to water and are dangerous to dispose of in landfills. Make use of them in your garden or at home.

Properly conserving, securing and burning your wood will save you money on fuel and will keep your stove running efficiently. It is also crucial to clean your chimney regularly to remove creosote that has been deposited and particulate matter, as well as prevent chimney fires and ensure the safety of your operation.

Safety

It's hard to beat a warm fire on a chilly winter night however, safety precautions should be taken. If fires are not constructed correctly or left unattended, or if they are burned the risk of dangerous fumes entering the home. Creosote may also build up in the chimney. These deposits can block 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, and other combustible materials inside your wood-burning stove or fireplace. They emit toxic fumes, such as carbon dioxide, and release toxic gasses. Also, avoid using explosive liquids to ignite fires. Kerosene, gasoline and lighter fluids can increase emissions, cause toxic creosote and could cause chimney fires.

Keep combustible materials like curtains, furniture and toys away from your stove or fireplace. Don't hang clothing close to or on your fireplace with wood burning. Make sure your children know that the fireplace is extremely hot and should not be touched.

Only use seasoned wood for your fireplace or stove. The wood that is seasoned has been dried out over the summer months to decrease the amount of moisture. Wood that is wet produces more smoke and creosote, while seasoned logs burn more cleanly and more efficiently. Seasoned wood looks darker and has cracks in the end grain, and makes a hollow sound when tapped. Store your wood outside, neatly stacking them with the top covered but permitting air circulation around them.

The appliances that are overloaded generate more smoke and less warmth. Fires that are overloaded can also create 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 could cause a chimney fire.

The EPA suggests using dry, split and well-seasoned wood to help reduce the amount of smoke that your home produces. Make a fire by using small pieces. Avoid using softer woods such as pine, which are a great for starting your fire going but shouldn't be used for anything other than. These soft woods are brimming with sap and resin that burns, if burned, will create an excessive amount of creosote in the chimney.

Maintenance

Warming up in front of a fireplace with wood is a wonderful way to spend winter nights. But, it is essential to maintain your fireplace in order to ensure that you reap the maximum enjoyment from your fireplace. 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 clean for maximum efficiency.

If the wood doesn't fully burn it forms creosote in the chimney. If a large amount of creosote builds up it can trigger chimney fires, which are the second most common cause of house fires in the United States. There are a variety of factors that can cause a fire to fail to burn completely, including dampers that are improperly closed or damaged in the chimney liner and the absence of regular cleaning and ash removal.

Incorrectly seasoned wood contributes to the accumulation of creosote to an excessive degree. This is because nearly half of the weight of a piece of wood is water. When the fire is burning it boils and releases heat, but it also consumes energy in the process. The water vapor that results is then condensed into creosote or released into the atmosphere as part of the smoke.

Another hazard of burning wood is soot. Soot is more pliable than creosote, however it can stick to the walls of your fireplace and block air flow. It also poses an ignition hazard since it is easily ignited when exposed to gases that are combustible.

You should remove the ashes and put them in an ash bucket made of metal that you keep outside on a nonflammable surface. The ashes can also serve as an energy source for plants, so don't forget to spread them out across the backyard!

It is recommended that a Certified Regency Dealer inspect your chimney and fireplace regularly. The technician will be able to look for cracks in the chimney, creosote and soot levels, a properly closed damper, and the condition of your catalyst. If you have a double-stage fireplace that has an air tube, it is recommended to remove the catalyst and visually inspected for any blockages. Consult your user manual to learn how to do this for your particular unit.

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