10 Misconceptions Your Boss Has About Wood Burning Fires

Wood Burning Fires Need to Be Hot and Clean

The warmth and ambiance of a wood-burning fireplace is not only soothing and mesmerizing, but also essential to our health and well-being. But, they have to be clean and hot in order to work effectively.

Green wood, or unseasoned wood, has high levels of moisture 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 keep burning.

Efficient Combustion

The wood fire must be hot enough to burn off water and reach temperatures that exceed 540 deg F. 900 deg F in ideal conditions) at which the secondary combustion process starts. This is the most crucial step in efficient combustion of the fuel and minimizing pollutants smoke, creosote, and accumulation in the flue.

It is vital to realize that the temperature needed to ignite the secondary combustion process is dependent on the type of fuel used and the surrounding conditions. Choose firewood that is well-seasoned and has a moisture content of less than 20% to minimize the variations.

The quantity of air provided to a flame will also have an important influence on its temperature and burning time. The more oxygen available, the hotter the fire will burn. A wood fire will produce less energy and burn slower when the air supply is restricted.

A wood stove or fireplace insert that has an adjustable air damper can increase the time to burn and efficiency. Wide open settings allow the fire to use up all the oxygen available and will quickly use up the fuel available for use. The reverse is true for an area that is limited to a small area in which the fire cannot expand as far.

A well-dried load of firewood is also crucial for efficient wood burning. Freshly cut wood that hasn't been dried will have a high water content, making it difficult to burn. It is recommended to use only well-seasoned firewood that has been stored outdoors for six to nine months for the best performance.

Another thing to consider is the BTU content of different kinds of wood. White pine and spruce might be more affordable than eastern hardwoods like shagbark, hickory and black locust, however their BTU values are greater. This means they will produce more heat with the same amount of wood. This is the reason it's important to consider your heating requirements and the cost of fuel when choosing your firewood.

Clean Burning

Wood smoke produces indoor air pollutants that irritate the lungs and cause respiratory distress, especially for older adults 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 burns.

Smoke from poorly designed wood stoves and fire places can contribute to poor air quality in the outside by making it harder to see and causing photochemical smog. If used properly, however modern combustion technology in new clean-burning wood stoves and fire places can help reduce the emissions.

Stage 1 - Vaporization of Moisture: As the log warms it releases water vapour, which escapes through the chimney flue. This is more energy-intensive than if the log had been dried before burning. This is a waste of energy that could be used to heat your home.

In the flue, the vapors mix with carbon particles to form smoke. Smoke is one of the major contributors to particulate matter in the air and is among the major sources of smog we encounter on clear days.

Wood stoves and fireplaces with clean burn technology, if utilized correctly, can dramatically reduce this issue by converting the logs into the state of charcoal which releases much less volatile gases, as well as producing the majority of the energy in the log from usable heat.

Avoid using damp or sour wood for your fire - it's more difficult to burn and creates a lot more creosote than well-seasoned wood. Do not overload your stove with soft and thin woods like 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. Be sure to store or dispose of them properly since ashes could ignite in the presence of water and they can be hazardous in landfills. Make use of them in your garden or at your home.

Storing, seasoning and properly burning your wood will help you save money and keep your stove running efficiently. Cleaning your chimney on a regular basis is essential to eliminate creosote, particulates and other debris that is deposited. This can also stop chimney fires and maintain safe operation.

Safety

There's nothing like a warm fire to warm up chilly winter evenings, but proper safety precautions are essential. If fires are constructed incorrectly and left unattended or burnt, dangerous fumes can enter the home. Creosote can also build up in the chimney. These deposits can clog up the flue and reduce the flow of air, making your wood stove or furnace not to function as efficiently.

Never burn painted or treated wood, household trash, rags, paper and other combustible materials in your wood-burning fireplace or stove. They release toxic gases and may release toxic fumes, like carbon monoxide. Don't use flammable liquids to start fires. Gasoline, lighter fluid, and kerosene may cause chimney fires which can increase emissions and create toxic creosote.

Keep combustible objects like furniture, curtains and toys, at a safe distance from your fireplace or stove. Never hang clothing on or near your fireplace that is wood burning. Make sure that children understand that the fire is hot and should not be touched.

Use only seasoned wood for your stove or fireplace. Seasoned wood is dried throughout the summer to reduce moisture content. Wet woods emit more smoke and creosote. On  wood burning fires , seasoned logs are more efficient and cleaner. Seasoned wood looks darker, has cracks in the end grain, and is hollow when tapped. Store your wood outside, neatly stacking them with the top partially covered but still permitting air circulation around them.

Overloaded appliances produce more smoke and less warmth. Fires that are overloaded can also create dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. If you have an older appliance with a metal lining, inspect the liner regularly for signs of wear and tear that can cause an explosion in the chimney.

The EPA recommends using split, dry and well-seasoned wood in order to minimize the amount of smoke that your home produces. Create a fire by using small pieces. Avoid using soft woods, like pine, which can be a good starter material to get your fire up and running, but should not be used for more than that. These woods with softer sap contain and resin, which when burned, create an excessive amount of creosote in the chimney.

Maintenance

A warm flame in a wood burning fireplace is a great way to enjoy the cold nights of winter. It is crucial to keep your fireplace in good condition to get the most out of it. Regular cleaning and inspection of your fireplace is the best method to prevent problems that could occur. This prevents the accumulation of creosote accumulation and ensures that the chimney is clean for maximum efficiency.

Creosote, a dark, crusty flammable material that forms in the flue when wood does not burn completely. If a substantial amount of creosote is accumulated, it can cause chimney fires which are the second most common cause of house fires in the United States. There are a variety of factors that can contribute to a fire's failure to fully burn, such as dampers that have not been properly closed and cracks in the chimney liner and an absence of regular cleaning and ash removal.

Wood that is not properly seasoned can cause the buildup of creosote in excess. This is because up to half of the weight of a piece wood is water. This water boils during the fire and releases heat. It also consumes energy. The water vapor that is created then condenses into creosote, or is released into the air as part of smoke.

Another harmful byproduct of burning wood is soot. Soot is softer than creosote, but it can adhere to the walls of your fireplace and block air circulation. It is also an ignition risk since it can ignite easily when exposed to gasses that are combustible.

You should remove the ashes and put them in a metal ash bucket, which you should keep outside on a nonflammable surface. The Ash can also be used as an energy source for plants Don't forget to spread them out across the lawn!

You should have a Certified Regency Dealer inspect your chimney and fireplace regularly. The technician will be able to look for cracks in the chimney, soot and creosote levels, a properly closed damper and the condition of your catalyst. If you have a double-stage chimney that includes an air tube, you should have the catalyst removed and visually checked for any blockages. Check your user manual for directions on how to accomplish this for the particular unit you have.