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Wood Burning Fires Need to Be Hot and Clean The warmth and ambience of a wood-burning fireplace is not just relaxing and captivating but is also vital to our health and well-being. They need to be warm and clean to be effective. 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 easier to light and keep a flame. Efficient Combustion The fire in the wood must be hot enough to eliminate moisture and reach temperatures over 540 deg F. 900 deg F in ideal conditions) in ideal conditions) where the secondary combustion process starts. This is the most important step in efficient combustion of the fuel and minimizing pollutants smoke, creosote, and buildup in the flue. It is crucial to remember that the temperature needed for secondary combustion varies with the type of fuel used and the conditions of the environment. The best way to minimize these variations is by using well-seasoned firewood that has an average moisture content of less than 20%. The quantity of air supplied 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 insufficient a wood fire will produce less heat and burn at a lower rate. A wood stove or fireplace insert with an adjustable air damper will maximize the burn time and efficiency. A wide open setting allows the fire to consume all the oxygen available and quickly exhaust the supply of usable fuel. A fire that is contained within an area of limited size is less likely to spread. A load of firewood that is well-dried is also vital for efficient wood burning. Wood that is freshly cut and hasn't been dried will have a high water content which makes it difficult to burn. It is recommended to use only well-seasoned firewood that has been stored outdoors for six to nine months to ensure optimal performance. Another thing to consider is the BTU content of different kinds of wood. For instance white pine or spruce trees might be cheaper than eastern hardwoods such as black locust or shagbark, but the BTU values of the latter are much more, meaning they provide more heat for the same amount of wood burned. 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 can cause respiratory distress, especially for older adults and children. These pollutants include volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like formaldehyde and benzene, as well as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons like benzo-a-pyrene, that are carcinogenic. Volatile Tars (such as creosote) are also released when firewood is burned. Smoke from poorly-designed wood stoves and fire places could cause poor air quality in the outside by making it harder to see and causing photochemical pollution. If used properly, however, modern combustion technology in clean-burning wood stoves and places can help reduce the emissions. Stage 1 – Vaporization moisture: As the wood gets warmer, it releases water vapour that escapes through the chimney flue. This requires more energy than if the log was dried prior to burning. This wastes energy which could be used to heat your home. These vapors combine in the flue with carbon particles, resulting in smoke. Smoke is among the major sources of particulate matter and smog that is found in the air. If properly used when used correctly, very small wood burner and fireplaces using clean burn technology can help reduce the problem by burning the logs into 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 ignite your fire. It is more difficult to burn and creates 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 can cause chimney fires. Use a bucket made of metal to scoop up ashes from the stove, and always wait until they cool before handling them. Be sure to keep them in a safe place or dispose of them correctly as ashes can ignite in the presence of water and they pose a risk in landfills. Make use of them in your garden or at home instead. Properly properly storing, seasoning and burning your wood properly will save you money on fuel and keep your stove functioning efficiently. It is also essential to regularly clean your chimney to remove deposited creosote and particles and also to prevent chimney fires and maintain the safety of the operation. Safety There's nothing like a warm fire to warm up chilly winter evenings, however proper safety precautions are required. If fires are not properly constructed, burned or left unattended, harmful fumes can be released into the home and dangerous creosote accumulations can form inside the chimney. These deposits could block the flue and decrease the flow of air, making your wood stove or furnace to not work as efficiently. Never burn treated or painted wood, household garbage paper, rags, or other combustible materials in your wood-burning stove or fireplace. They can release toxic fumes such as carbon dioxide and produce toxic gasses. Do not use flammable liquids as a fire starter. Gasoline, lighter fluid, and kerosene may cause chimney fires which can increase emissions and cause toxic creosote. Keep combustibles, like furniture curtains, toys, and other items in a safe distance from your stove or fireplace. Do not hang clothes on or near your fireplace that is wood burning. Children should be taught that the fireplace is very hot and shouldn't be touched. Use only seasoned wood for your fireplace or stove. The wood that has been seasoned has been dried over the summer months to lessen the amount of 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 and cracks appear in the end grain, and is hollow when tapping. Keep your logs outside, neatly stacked with the top covered but permitting air circulation around them. The appliances that are overloaded generate more smoke, but less warmth. In addition, overloaded fires can produce dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. If you have an older appliance that has a metal lining, inspect the liner regularly for signs of wear and tear that can cause a chimney fire. The EPA recommends using dry, split and well-seasoned wood to help reduce the amount of smoke you breathe in your home. Build a hot fire using small pieces. Avoid using softer woods, like pine, which are good starting material to get your fire up and running, but should not be used for more than that. These softer woods have resin and sap, which is a result of burning, and deposits excessive creosote into the chimney. Maintenance Warming up in front of a wood-burning fireplace is a wonderful way to spend winter nights. However, it is important to maintain your fireplace to ensure that you reap the maximum benefit from your fire. Regular cleaning and inspection of your fireplace is the best method to prevent problems that could occur. This maintenance prevents excessive creosote and helps keep the chimney clean for maximum efficiency. Creosote is a dark and crusty flammable material that forms in the flue when wood doesn't burn completely. When a large amount of creosote accumulates it can result in chimney fires. They are the second most frequent cause of fires in homes across the United States. The inability of a fire to burn completely can be caused by a variety of causes including dampers that aren't properly closed and cracks in the liner of the chimney as well as a lack of regular cleaning and removal of ash. Incorrectly seasoned wood causes the accumulation of creosote to an excessive degree. Water could comprise up to half of the weight of a wooden piece. During the fire the water boils and releases heat, but it also consumes energy during the process. The resulting water vapor is then condensed as creosote and released into the atmosphere as part of the smoke. Another harmful side effect of burning wood is soot. Soot, while softer than creosote, is able to block airflow and stick to the walls. It is also an ignition hazard since it is a natural igniter when exposed to gases that are combustible. Take the ashes out of your fireplace and put them in an ash bucket made of metal. Keep it outside on an unflammable surface. Don't forget that the remains of the ashes are a good source of nutrients for your plants. Spread them all over your backyard! Regularly ensure that your chimney and fireplace are checked by a Regency Dealer Certified. The technician can check for cracks in the chimney, soot and creosote levels, a properly shut damper and the condition of your catalyst. If you have a two-stage fireplace that includes an air tube, the catalyst should be removed and visually inspected for blockages. Consult your user's manual for instructions on how to accomplish this for your specific unit.