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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 is also vital to our health and well-being. They should be hot and clean to function. Unseasoned, or green, wood is very moist that makes it challenging to light and burn efficiently. Seasoned, or kiln dried wood has a low moisture content and is easier to ignite and keep burning. Efficient Combustion A wood fire needs to be hot enough to drive out moisture and reach temperatures above 540 deg F ( 900 degrees F in ideal conditions) in ideal conditions) where the secondary combustion process starts. This is the first step to efficiently burning fuel while reducing pollutants and smoke in the flue. It is important to know that the temperature needed for secondary combustion depends on the kind of fuel used and the conditions around it. The best way to limit the variations is to use dry firewood that is seasoned and has a moisture content below 20 percent. The quantity of air that is delivered to a fire will also have an important influence on its energy output and time to burn. The more oxygen available, the more hot the fire will burn. If the supply of air is insufficient a wood fire produces less heat and will burn at a lower rate. A wood stove or fireplace insert that has an adjustable air damper will maximize the burn time and efficiency. The wide-open setting lets the fire to take all the oxygen it can get and quickly draw down the fuel supply. A fire that is contained in an area of limited size is less likely to spread. A well-dried firewood load is also crucial to efficient wood burning. If wood is cut fresh and hasn't had the chance to dry out, it will have high levels of water, which can be difficult for logs to burn. It is recommended to use only seasoned firewood that has been stored outdoors for between six and nine months to ensure optimal performance. The BTU content of wood is another factor to consider. White pine and spruce may be more affordable than eastern hardwoods, such as shagbark and hickory as well as black locust, but their BTU values are greater. This means that they'll generate more heat with the same amount of wood. It is crucial to consider your heating needs and fuel costs when choosing your firewood. Clean Burning Wood smoke can cause indoor air pollution that can cause irritation to lungs and respiratory distress in seniors and children. These pollutants comprise volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like formaldehyde and benzene as well as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, like benzo-a-pyrene, that can cause cancer. When wood is burned the volatile tars like creosote also get released. Smoke from old, poorly designed fireplaces and wood stoves could contribute to poor outdoor air quality by reducing visibility and contributing to photochemical pollution. If properly used, however modern technology for combustion in clean-burning wood stoves and fire places can reduce these emissions. very small wood burning stove – Moisture vapourizes: As the log heats up, it releases water vapor that escapes down the chimney flue. This uses up more energy than it would when the log was dried to dry prior to burning. It also wastes energy that could be used for warming your home. In the flue, these vapors mix with carbon particles and form smoke. Smoke is one of the major contributors to particulate matter in the air and is among the major sources of smog that we experience 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 that releases less volatile gases, as well as producing most of the energy contained in the log from usable heat. Avoid using damp or sour wood to fuel your fire because it's more difficult to burn and generates lots of creosote compared to well-seasoned wood. Also, don't overburden your stove with soft and thin wood like pine or fir as it requires more energy to burn them and they produce more smoke which can cause chimney fires. Use a metal bucket to scoop ashes from the stove, and wait until they cool before handling them. Be sure to store or dispose of them properly as ashes can ignite in the presence of water and they pose a risk in landfills. Instead, make sure to utilize them in your garden or in the home. Properly conserving, securing and burning your wood will save you money on fuel and keep your stove running efficiently. It is also important to clean your chimney regularly to remove deposited creosote and other particles as well as to avoid chimney fires and ensure the safety of the operation. Safety There's nothing better than a warm fire to while away chilly winter evenings, but proper safety precautions are necessary. When fires are built incorrectly, left unattended or burned, dangerous fumes can enter the home. Creosote can also build up in the chimney. These deposits could block the flue, impede airflow and cause your furnace or wood stove to work less efficiently. Never burn painted or treated wood, household waste, rags, paper and other combustible materials in your wood-burning fireplace or stove. They release toxic gasses and release toxic fumes, like carbon monoxide. Do not use liquids that are flammable as a starter. Gasoline, kerosene and lighter fluid can increase emissions, produce toxic creosote and could cause chimney fires. Keep flammable materials like curtains, furniture and toys, a safe distance from your fireplace or stove. Do not hang clothes on or near your wood-burning fireplace. Children should be taught that the fireplace is extremely hot and should not be touched. Only use 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 emit more smoke and creosote whereas mature logs are more efficient and clean. Seasoned wood is darker, has cracks along the grain's end and makes a hollow sound when you tap it. Store your logs outdoors stacked neatly with the top covered, but allowing air to circulate around them. Be careful not to overload your stove or fireplace as appliances that are overloaded produce more smoke and produce less heat. Overloaded fires can also generate unsafe carbon monoxide levels. If you own an older appliance that has an aluminum liner, be sure to check it regularly for signs of wear. This could lead to an explosion in the chimney. The EPA suggests using split, dry and well-seasoned wood in order to help reduce the amount of smoke that your home produces. Create a fire using small pieces. Avoid soft woods such as pine. Pine is a great starter material for an open flame, but should not be used beyond that. These woods with resin and sap that is a result of burning, and deposits excessive creosote inside the chimney. Maintenance Warming up in front of a wood-burning fireplace is a great way to enjoy the winter evenings. However, it is important to maintain your fireplace to ensure that you receive the maximum benefit from your fire. Regular cleaning and inspection of your fireplace is the best method to avoid problems that may develop. This prevents excessive creosote accumulation and keeps the chimney clear to ensure maximum efficiency. Creosote, a dark, crusty flammable material that forms in the flue when wood does not completely burn. If a significant amount of creosote builds up, it can lead to chimney fires. These are the second leading cause of house fires across the United States. There are a variety of factors that can contribute to a fire's failure to completely burn, including dampers that are not properly sealed or damaged in the chimney liner as well as an absence of regular cleaning and the removal of ash. Creosote can accumulate in large amounts when wood isn't properly seasoned. This is due to the fact that up to half the weight of a piece wood is water. During the fire the water boils and releases heat but it also consumes energy during the process. The water vapor resulting from the process is then condensed into creosote or released into the air as part of the smoke. Soot is another harmful byproduct of burning wood. Soot is more pliable than creosote. However, it can cling to the walls of your fireplace, and block air flow. It also poses a fire hazard because it is a natural igniter when exposed to combustible gases. It is recommended to remove the ashes and place them in a metal ash container that you can keep outside on a nonflammable surface. The ashes can also be used as a source of nutrients for plants Don't forget to spread them out across the yard! It is recommended that a Certified Regency Dealer inspect your fireplace and chimney regularly. The technician can check for cracks, creosote and soot levels, a properly shut damper, and the condition of the catalyst. If you have a two-stage fireplace which has an air tube, the catalyst must be removed and checked visually for blockages. Consult your user manual to learn how to do this for your fireplace.