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Wood Burning Fires Need to Be Hot and Clean The warmth and ambience of wood-burning fires is not just soothing and enchanting but is also vital to our health and well-being. They need to be warm and clean in order to work. Green wood, or unseasoned wood is characterized by an excessive amount of moisture, making it difficult to ignite and burn effectively. The seasoned, or kiln dried wood has a lower moisture content and is easier to ignite and keep burning. Efficient Combustion A wood fire has to be hot enough to push out water and reach temperatures that are above 540 degrees F ( 900 degrees F in ideal conditions) where the heat-producing secondary combustion process begins. This is the most important step in efficiently burning fuel while reducing pollutants and smoke in the flue. It is important to know that the temperature required for secondary combustion is contingent on the type of fuel used and the surrounding conditions. Make sure to use firewood that is seasoned and has a less than 20% to limit these variations. In addition, the quantity of air that is supplied to the fire can have a significant impact on the amount of heat produced and time to burn. The more oxygen available the hotter a fire can burn and the shorter its burn duration. A wood fire will produce less energy and burn at a slower rate when the air supply is limited. To maximize burn time and efficiency, a wood stove or fireplace insert must be equipped with an adjustable air damper. The wide-open setting gives the fire to get all the oxygen it can get and will quickly exhaust the fuel supply. This is not the case with the fire that is restricted to a small area where the fire is unable to expand as much. A dry load of firewood is also essential for efficient wood burning. When wood is freshly cut and hasn't had a chance to dry, it will have high water content that could make it difficult to burn. It is recommended to use only wood that is seasoned and has been stored outdoors for between six and nine months for optimal performance. Another consideration is the BTU content of various types of wood. For instance white pine or spruce wood may be cheaper than eastern hardwoods like black locust and shagbark hickory, but the BTU values of the latter are much higher, meaning they will provide more heat for the same amount of wood. It's important to consider your heating requirements and fuel costs when selecting your firewood. Clean Burning Wood smoke produces indoor air pollutants that can irritate the lungs and can cause respiratory distress, especially for seniors and children. These pollutants include volatile aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) such as benzo-a-pyrene and formaldehyde, as well as volatile organic compounds such as benzene. Volatile Tars (such as creosote) are also released when firewood is burned. Smoke from old, poorly designed wood stoves and fireplaces can contribute to poor outdoor air quality, decreasing visibility and causing photochemical smog. However, new clean burning fireplaces and wood stoves with modern combustion technology, when properly used, can greatly reduce the emission. Stage 1 – Moisture vapourizes: As the log heats up it releases water vapor which escapes through the chimney flue. This is more energy-intensive than if the log had been dried prior to burning. This also wastes energy that could be used for to heat your home. In the flue, these vapors combine with carbon particles to form smoke. Smoke is a major contributor to particulate matter in the air and is one of the major sources of smog we see on clear days. If used properly when used correctly, wood stoves and fireplaces that use clean burn technology can help reduce this problem significantly by converting the logs to a charcoal-like state that releases less volatile gasses and releases the majority of energy from the log as usable heat. Avoid using damp or sour wood for your fire because it's more difficult to burn and creates a lot more creosote than well-seasoned wood. Don't overload the stove with soft and thin woods such as fir or pine. They require more energy to burn and produce more smoke, which can cause chimney fires. Always wait until the ashes have cooled before handling them. Dispose of or store ashes in a safe manner. They are able to ignite again when exposed to water and can be hazardous in landfills. Instead, make sure to make use of them in your garden or in the house. Properly conserving, securing and burning your wood correctly will save you money on fuel and will keep your stove running efficiently. It is also essential to clean your chimney regularly to remove creosote that has been deposited and particulate matter as well as to avoid chimney fires and maintain the safety of the operation. Safety It's hard to beat a warm fireplace in the winter cold, but precautions for safety should be taken. When fires are improperly built or burned, or left unattended, dangerous fumes can be released into the house and creosote deposits may build up within the chimney. These deposits can clog up the flue and decrease airflow, causing your furnace or wood stove not to function as effectively. Never burn treated or painted wood, household waste, rags, paper and other combustible materials in your wood-burning fireplace or stove. They can release toxic fumes like carbon dioxide and create toxic gasses. Don't use the flammable liquids to ignite fires. Gasoline, lighter fluid and kerosene could cause fires in chimneys that can cause emissions to rise and produce toxic creosote. Keep combustibles such as furniture curtains, toys, and other items at a safe distance away from your stove or fireplace. Never hang clothing on or near your wood burning fireplace. Make sure your children know that the fire is hot and should not be touched. Only make use of seasoned wood for your fireplace or stove. The wood that is seasoned has been dried during the summer months to lessen the amount of moisture. Wet woods produce more smoke and creosote, whereas seasoned logs are more efficient and clear. Wood that is seasoned looks darker, has cracks in the end grain, and makes a hollow sound when it is tapped. Store your logs outdoors stacked neatly with the top securing and allowing air to circulate around them. The appliances that are overloaded generate more smoke and less warmth. Fires that are overloaded can also produce dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. If you have an older appliance with a metal liner, check it regularly for indications of wear. This can lead to 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 then constructing a warm fire with small pieces. Avoid using soft woods like pine. Pine is a good starter material for an open flame, but should not be used beyond that. These woods with resin and sap, which, when burnt, deposits excessive creosote inside the chimney. Maintenance A warm fire in a wood burning fireplace is the perfect way to enjoy the cold nights of winter. This Internet page is crucial to maintain your fireplace in order to make the most of it. Regularly cleaning and inspecting your fireplace is the best method to avoid problems that may develop. This prevents the build-up of creosote and helps keep the chimney clean to ensure maximum efficiency. When wood doesn't burn completely it forms creosote in the chimney. If a substantial amount of creosote is accumulated, it can trigger chimney fires, which are the second leading cause of house fires in the United States. A variety of issues could contribute to a fire's failure to completely burn, including dampers that are not properly sealed or damaged in the chimney liner, and a lack of regular cleaning and ash removal. Incorrectly seasoned wood contributes to the buildup of creosote in excess. Water could comprise up to half of the weight of a wood piece. The water boils during fire and releases heat. It also consumes energy. The water vapor that results is then condensed as creosote or released into the atmosphere as part of the smoke. Soot is a different harmful product of burning wood. Soot, while softer than creosote can block airflow and stick to the walls. It is also a fire risk because it ignites easily when exposed to gasses that are combustible. The ashes should be removed and put them in an ash bucket made of metal that you keep outside on a non-flammable surface. Don't forget that ashes are a great source of nutrients for your plants. Spread them around in your yard! It is recommended that a Certified Regency Dealer inspect your fireplace and chimney regularly. The technician can check for cracks in the chimney, creosote and soot levels, a properly sealed damper, and the condition of your catalyst. If you have a double-stage fireplace with an air tube, you must remove the catalyst and visually checked for obstructions. Check your user manual for directions on how to accomplish this for your particular unit.