namelotion5

Wood Burning Fires Need to Be Hot and Clean The warmth and ambience of a wood-burning fireplace is not only soothing and mesmerizing, but also essential to our health and well-being. But, they must be clean and hot in order to work effectively. Green wood, also known as unseasoned wood has high levels of moisture, making it difficult to ignite and burn efficiently. 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 sufficiently hot to draw out water and reach temperatures that are above 540 degrees F ( The process of producing heat in secondary combustion begins at around 900 degrees F (in ideal conditions). This is the most important step in efficiently burning fuel and minimizing emissions and smoke in the flue. It is important to note that the temperature needed for secondary combustion varies based on the type of fuel and the environmental conditions. The best way to limit the variation is to use well-seasoned firewood that has a moisture content below 20%. The amount of air supplied to a fire can also have a significant influence on its energy output 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 at a slower rate when the air supply is limited. A wood stove or fireplace insert that has an adjustable air damper can increase burn time and efficiency. Wide open settings allow the fire to burn through all of its available oxygen and will quickly exhaust the fuel available for use. This is not the case with the fire that is restricted to a limited area, where the fire is unable to expand as much. A well-dried load of firewood is also essential for efficient wood burning. Freshly cut wood that isn't dried will have a high water content which makes 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. Another consideration is the BTU content of different types of wood. White pine and spruce may be cheaper than eastern hardwoods like shagbark, hickory and black locust, but their BTU values are higher. This means they'll generate more heat from the same amount of wood. This is why it's crucial to think about your heating needs and the cost of fuel when choosing your firewood. Clean Burning Wood smoke can trigger indoor air pollution that can cause irritation to lungs and respiratory distress in children and seniors. These pollutants include volatile aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) like benzo-a pyrene and formaldehyde as well as volatile organic compounds like benzene. When firewood is burned, volatile tars such as creosote also get released. Smoke from poorly-designed wood fireplaces and stoves can contribute to poor air quality outside by decreasing visibility and causing photochemical pollution. However, new, clean burning fireplaces and wood stoves with modern combustion technology, when used correctly, can greatly reduce these emissions. Stage 1 – Moisture vapourizes: As the log gets heated, it releases water vapor which escapes through the chimney flue. This uses up more energy than it would when the log was dried to dry prior to burning. This is a waste of energy which could be used to heat your home. In the flue, these vapors mix with carbon particles to create smoke. Smoke is one of the major sources of particulate matter and smog that is found in the air. Wood stoves and fireplaces with clean burn technology, if utilized correctly, can dramatically reduce this issue by burning the logs to charcoal state which releases much less volatile gases, as well as producing most of the energy contained in the log from usable heat. Avoid using damp, sour or rotten wood to light your fire. It's more difficult to burn and creates more creosote. Don't overload the stove with brittle and thin 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 steel to remove ashes from the stove, and always wait until they cool before handling them. Store or dispose of the ashes properly. They can re-ignite when exposed to water, and are dangerous to dispose of in landfills. Make use of them in your garden or at your home. Properly conserving, securing and burning your wood properly will save you money on fuel and keep your stove working efficiently. Regularly cleaning your chimney is important to remove creosote, particulates, and other debris that has been deposited. This can also stop chimney fires and keep your chimney operating safely. Safety It's difficult to beat a warm fire on a chilly winter night However, security precautions must be taken. If fires are not constructed correctly, left unattended or burned the risk of dangerous fumes entering the home. Creosote may also build up in the chimney. These deposits could block the flue and reduce the flow of air, making your wood stove or furnace not to work as efficiently. Never burn painted or treated wood, household garbage paper, rags, and other combustible substances in your wood-burning fireplace or stove. They release toxic gases and can release toxic fumes such as carbon monoxide. Avoid using flammable liquids as a fire starter. Kerosene, gasoline and lighter fluids can increase emissions, create toxic creosote, and even cause chimney fires. Keep combustibles such as furniture or curtains, as well as toys, at a safe distance from your stove or fireplace. Never hang clothing near or on your fireplace with wood burning. Make sure your children are aware that the fireplace is extremely hot and should not be touched. Only make use of seasoned wood for your stove or fireplace. The wood that has been seasoned has been dried out over the summer months to decrease the moisture. Wet woods produce more smoke and creosote, whereas seasoned logs are more efficient and cleaner. Seasoned wood is darker and cracks appear along the ends of the grain and sounds hollow when you tap it. Keep your wood outside, neatly stacked and with the top partially covered but still allowing air circulation around them. Be cautious not to overload your fireplace or stove as appliances that are overloaded produce more smoke and produce less heat. Fires that are overloaded can also create dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. If you have an older appliance that has a lining made of metal, you should inspect the liner frequently for signs of wear and tear that could cause an explosion in the chimney. The EPA recommends reducing smoke inside your home by using dry, well-seasoned, split and dry wood and building a hot fire with small pieces. Avoid soft woods such as pine. Pine is a good fuel for a fire, but shouldn't be used beyond that. These soft woods are brimming with sap and resin, which burns, if burned, will create large amounts of creosote into the chimney. Maintenance A warm fire in a wood burning fireplace is a great way to warm up during the cold nights of winter. But, it is essential to maintain your fireplace in order to ensure that you reap the maximum benefits from your fire. Fireplaces & Stoves and cleaning of your fireplace will help you to avoid any problems. This maintenance helps prevent excessive creosote accumulation and ensures that the chimney is clean for maximum efficiency. If wood doesn't completely burn and creosote builds up in the chimney. When a lot of creosote builds up, it can lead to chimney fires. They are the second leading causes of house fires across the United States. The failure of a fireplace to fully burn is caused by a number of reasons including dampers that aren't properly closed, cracks in the chimney's liner as well as a lack of regular cleaning and removal of ash. Creosote can build up in large amounts when wood isn't properly prepared. Water can make up half of the weight of a wooden piece. This water boils during the fire and releases heat. It also consumes energy. The water vapor that is created then condenses into creosote and is released into the air as a part of smoke. Another harmful byproduct of burning wood is soot. Soot, although less dense than creosote, can impede airflow and adhere to 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 a metal ash bucket, which you should keep outside on a non-flammable surface. The ashes can also be used as a source of nutrients for plants Don't forget to spread them out across the lawn! It is recommended that a Certified Regency Dealer inspect your fireplace and chimney regularly. The technician can look for cracks, creosote and soot levels as well as a properly shut damper and the condition of the catalyst. If you have a double-stage fireplace that has an air tube, you must remove the catalyst and visually checked for obstructions. Refer to the user manual to find out how to do this for your unit.