15 Surprising Stats About Wood Burning Fires

Wood Burning Fires Need to Be Hot and Clean

The warmth and ambience of wood-burning fires is not just soothing and enchanting but also essential to our health and well-being. They should be hot and clean in order to function.

Green wood, also known as unseasoned wood is characterized by high levels of moisture which makes it difficult to ignite and burn effectively. Kiln dried or seasoned wood has a low moisture content, making it easier to ignite and maintain a flame.

Efficient Combustion

A wood fire must be hot enough to push out moisture and reach temperatures above 540 deg F ( The process of producing heat from secondary combustion starts at 900 degrees F (in ideal conditions). This is the most crucial step to efficiently burning the fuel and reducing pollutants, smoke, and creosote buildup in the flue.

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

In addition, the amount of air that is supplied to the fire can greatly affect its heat output and burn time. The more oxygen available, the hotter the fire will burn. If the supply of air is limited, however the wood fire produces less heat and burn slower.

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. A wide open setting allows the fire to use up all oxygen available and will quickly exhaust the supply of usable fuel. The reverse is true for the fire that is restricted to a limited area, where the fire can not expand as much.

A dry load of firewood is also critical to efficient wood burning. Wood that hasn't been dried will contain a lot of water, making it difficult to burn. It is recommended to only use seasoned firewood that has been stored outdoors for six to nine months to ensure optimal performance.

The BTU content of wood is another factor to consider. For example, white pine or spruce trees may be cheaper than eastern hardwoods, such as shagbark hickory and black locust but the BTU values of the latter are much more, meaning they provide more heat for the same amount of wood. This is the reason it's important to take into consideration your heating requirements 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 comprise volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like benzene and formaldehyde, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, such as benzo-a-pyrene, which can cause cancer. Volatile Tars (such as creosote) are also released when firewood is burned.

Smoke from poorly designed wood fireplaces and stoves can cause poor air quality outside by making it harder to see and causing photochemical pollution. However, new, clean burning wood stoves and fireplaces that incorporate modern combustion technology when used properly can drastically reduce these emissions.

Stage 1 - The vaporization of Moisture: As the log warms, it releases water vapour which escapes through the chimney flue. This uses up more energy than it would have had the log been seasoned to dry before burning.  wood burning stoves uk  that could be put to use heating your home.

The vapors in the flue with carbon particles to produce smoke. Smoke is a major contributor to particulate matter in the air and is one of the main sources of smog that we see on clear days.

Fireplaces and wood stoves equipped with clean burn technology, if properly used, can greatly reduce this issue by converting the wood to charcoal state, which releases far less volatile gasses, and producing most of the energy in the log from usable heat.

Avoid using damp, sour or rotten wood to ignite your fire. It is more difficult to burn and creates more creosote. Avoid overburdening the stove with thin and soft woods like fir or pine. They require more energy to burn and create more smoke, which can cause chimney fires.

Always wait until the ashes have cool before handling them. Keep or dispose of the ashes properly. They could ignite again if exposed to water, and are dangerous to dispose of in landfills. Instead, make sure to use them around your garden or in the home.

Properly storing, seasoning and burning your wood correctly will save you money on fuel and will keep your stove functioning 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 maintain the safety of the operation.

Safety

There's nothing like a cozy fire to warm up chilly winter evenings, however proper safety precautions are essential. If fires are not constructed correctly, left unattended or burned, dangerous fumes can enter the home. Creosote may also build up in the chimney. These deposits can block the flue, impede the flow of air and cause your furnace or wood stove to work less efficiently.

Do not burn treated or painted trash in your wood-burning stove or fireplace. They produce noxious gasses and release toxic fumes, such as carbon monoxide. Avoid using the flammable liquids for a fire starter. Gasoline, lighter fluid, and kerosene may cause chimney fires which can increase emissions and create toxic creosote.

Keep flammable materials like furniture, curtains, and even toys away from your stove or fireplace. Do not hang clothes on or near your fireplace that is wood burning. Make sure that children understand that the fireplace is hot and should not be touched.

Make sure to use only wood that has been seasoned for your stove or fireplace. Seasoned wood has been dried throughout the summer to reduce the moisture content. Woods that are damp emit more smoke and creosote. On the other hand, mature logs are more efficient and cleaner. The wood that is seasoned appears darker, has cracks in the end grain and sounds hollow when tapping. Store your logs outside, neatly stacked with the top covered, but allowing air circulation to them.

The appliances that are overloaded generate more smoke and less warmth. Fires that are overloaded can also produce unsafe carbon monoxide levels. If you own an older appliance with an insulated metal liner, check the liner on a regular basis for signs of wear and tear that can cause an explosion in the chimney.

The EPA suggests reducing the amount of smoke in your home by using dry, split, and well-seasoned wood and building a hot fire with small pieces. Avoid using soft woods such as pine. Pine is a good fuel for a fire, but shouldn't be used more than. These soft woods contain resin and sap, which is a result of burning, and deposits too much creosote in the chimney.

Maintenance

Warming up in front of a fireplace that is wood-burning is a great way to enjoy the winter nights. But, it is essential 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 prevent problems that could arise. This prevents the accumulation of creosote buildup and ensures that the chimney is clean to ensure maximum efficiency.

If wood doesn't completely burn and creosote builds up 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 completely burn, including dampers that are not properly sealed and cracks in the chimney liner and the absence of regular cleaning and ash removal.

Incorrectly seasoned wood causes the accumulation of creosote to an excessive degree. Water can make up half of the weight of a wood piece. In the course of a fire, this water boils and releases heat but it also consumes energy in the process. The water vapor that is produced then condenses into creosote or is released into the air as part of smoke.

Soot is a different harmful byproduct of burning wood. Soot is less brittle than creosote. However, it can cling to the walls of your fireplace, and block air circulation. It can also be a fire hazard because it ignites easily when exposed to gasses that are combustible.

Remove the ashes from 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 around in your yard!

Regularly make sure that your chimney and fireplace are examined by a Regency Dealer certified. The technician will be able to look for cracks in the chimney, creosote and soot levels, a properly sealed damper and also the condition of your catalyst. If you have a double-stage chimney that includes an air tube, it is recommended to have the catalyst removed and visually inspected for any blockages. Check your user's manual to learn the procedure for your particular unit.