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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 in order to work. Green wood, or unseasoned wood, has a high moisture content which makes it difficult to ignite and burn efficiently. Kiln dried, or seasoned wood has a low moisture content and is more easy to light and burn for longer. Efficient Combustion A wood fire needs to be sufficiently hot to draw out moisture and reach temperatures of 540 degrees F ( 800 deg F in ideal conditions) at which the secondary combustion process begins. This is the key step to efficiently burning fuel while reducing emissions and smoke in the flue. It is crucial to remember that the temperature required for secondary combustion is dependent on the type of fuel used and the conditions of the environment. Choose firewood that is well-seasoned and has a moisture content of less than 20% to limit the variations. In addition, the amount of air that is pumped into a fire can significantly impact the amount of heat produced and time to burn. The more oxygen that is available, the more hot the fire will burn. A wood fire will produce less energy and burn slower when the air supply is restricted. To increase the time of burning and efficiency to maximize efficiency and burn time, a wood stove fireplace insert should be fitted with an adjustable air damper. The wide-open setting allows the fire all the oxygen it needs and quickly draw down the fuel supply. The converse is true of the fire that is restricted to a limited area, in which the fire cannot expand as far. A dry load of firewood is also critical for efficient wood burning. Wood that hasn't been allowed to dry will contain high levels of water which makes it difficult to burn. It is recommended to only use seasoned firewood that has been stored outdoors for six to nine months for optimal performance. The BTU content of wood is another factor to take into consideration. White pine and spruce could be less expensive than eastern hardwoods such as shagbark, hickory and black locust, but their BTU values are greater. This means that they'll generate more heat for the same amount of wood. It's important to consider your heating needs and the cost of fuel when selecting your firewood. Clean Burning Wood smoke can create indoor air pollution, which can cause irritation to the lungs and respiratory distress in seniors and children. These pollutants include volatile aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) such as benzo-a-pyrene and formaldehyde, as well as volatile organic compounds like benzene. Volatile Tars (such as creosote) are also released when firewood is burned. Smoke from old, poorly-designed fireplaces and wood stoves could contribute to poor outdoor air quality by reducing visibility and contributing to photochemical pollution. However, new, clean burning fireplaces and wood stoves equipped with modern technology for combustion, when used properly can drastically reduce these emissions. Stage 1 – Vaporization moisture: As the wood gets warmer, it releases water vapour which escapes through the chimney flue. This takes more energy than if the log had been dried prior to burning. This is a waste of energy which could be used to warm your home. These vapors mix in the flue with carbon particles, resulting in smoke. Smoke is a major contributor to particulate matter in the air and is among the major sources of smog that we encounter on clear days. If used properly when used correctly, wood stoves and fireplaces using clean burn technology can lessen this problem significantly by converting the logs to charcoal-like states, which releases less volatile gasses and generates the majority of the energy produced by the log into usable heat. Avoid using damp or sour wood for your fire – it's more difficult to burn and generates lots of creosote compared to well-seasoned wood. Avoid overburdening the stove with soft and thin woods like pine or fir. They require more energy to burn and create more smoke, which could cause chimney fires. Always wait until the ashes are cool before handling them. cast iron wood burning stove or dispose of ashes correctly. They are able to ignite again when exposed to water and can be hazardous in landfills. Instead, make sure to use them around your garden or at the home. Storing, seasoning and correctly burning your wood will help you save money and ensure that your stove is operating efficiently. Regularly cleaning your chimney is essential to eliminate creosote and particulates as well as other debris that has been deposited. This will also prevent chimney fires as well as maintain safe operation. Safety There's nothing like a cozy fire to keep warm during cold winter evenings, but proper safety precautions are essential. When fires are built incorrectly or left unattended, or if they are burned the risk of dangerous fumes entering the home. Creosote can also build up in the chimney. These deposits can block the flue and reduce airflow, causing your furnace or wood stove not to work as efficiently. Never burn treated, painted, or household waste in your wood-burning stove or fireplace. They produce noxious gases and can release toxic fumes, like carbon monoxide. Do not use flammable liquids as a fire starter. Kerosene, gasoline and lighter fluids can increase emissions, cause toxic creosote, and even cause chimney fires. Keep combustible objects, such as curtains, furniture and toys, at a safe distance from your stove or fireplace. Do not hang clothes on or near your wood burning fireplace. Children should be taught that the fireplace is very hot and shouldn't be touched. Use only seasoned wood for your stove or fireplace. The wood that has been seasoned has been dried over the summer months to lessen the moisture. Woods that are damp emit more smoke and creosote. On the other hand, seasoned logs are more efficient and cleaner. The wood that is seasoned is darker and cracks appear along the grain's end and makes a hollow sound when you tap it. Store your logs outside, neatly stacking them with the top covered but allowing air circulation to them. Be cautious not to over-load your fireplace or stove, as overloaded appliances generate more smoke and less heat. Overloaded fires may also produce dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. If you have an older appliance that has a metal liner, check it frequently for signs of wear. This can lead to an explosion in the chimney. The EPA recommends reducing smoke in your home by using dry, well-seasoned, split and dry wood and constructing a hot fire using small pieces. Avoid using softer woods, like pine, which are good for starting your fire going, but shouldn't be used for more than that. These soft woods are brimming with sap and resin that burns, if burned, will create large amounts of creosote into the chimney. Maintenance The warmth of a fireplace that is wood-burning is a great way to spend winter evenings. It is crucial to maintain the fireplace to get the most enjoyment of it. Regularly cleaning and inspecting your fireplace is the best method to prevent problems that could arise. This maintenance helps prevent excessive creosote accumulation and keeps the chimney clean for maximum efficiency. Creosote is a dark, crusty flammable material that forms in the flue when wood doesn't burn completely. If a substantial amount of creosote accumulates, it can cause chimney fires which are the second-leading cause of house fires in 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, and a lack or regular cleaning and ash removal. Incorrectly seasoned wood contributes to an excessive buildup of creosote. Water can make up half of the weight of a wood piece. The water is heated during the fire and releases heat. It also consumes energy. The water vapor resulting from the process is then condensed into creosote, or released into the atmosphere as part of the smoke. Soot is a different harmful product of burning wood. Soot is less brittle than creosote, but it can cling to the walls of your fireplace and impede air flow. It is also a fire hazard because it is easily ignited when exposed to combustible gases. You should remove the ashes and place them in a metal ash container, which you should keep outside on a non-flammable surface. The ashes can also be used as sources of nutrients for plants Don't forget to spread them out across the lawn! Make sure you ensure that your chimney and fireplace are inspected 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, you should have the catalyst removed and visually checked for blockages. Refer to the user manual to learn how to do this for your unit.