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Wood Burning Fires Need to Be Hot and Clean The warmth and ambiance of wood-burning fires is not just relaxing and captivating but is also vital to our health and well-being. They must be hot and clean to work. Green wood, or unseasoned wood, has high levels of moisture which makes it difficult to ignite and burn effectively. Kiln dried or seasoned wood has a lower moisture content, making it easier to ignite and maintain a fire. Efficient Combustion The fire in the wood must be hot enough to snuff out moisture and reach temperatures of over 540 degrees F. The process of producing heat from secondary combustion begins at 900 degrees F (in ideal conditions). This is the key step to efficiently burning fuel while reducing pollutants and smoke in the flue. It is vital to realize that the temperature needed for secondary combustion depends on the type of fuel used and the surrounding conditions. Use seasoned firewood that has an average moisture content of less than 20% to reduce these variations. Additionally, the amount of air that is pumped into the fire can have a significant impact on the amount of heat produced and burn time. The more oxygen that is available, the hotter the fire will burn. If the supply of air is limited, however the wood fire will produce less heat and burn at a slower rate. A fireplace or wood stove insert fitted with an adjustable air damper can increase the burn time and efficiency. The wide-open setting allows the fire all the oxygen it needs and will quickly draw down the fuel supply. This is not the case with the fire that is restricted to a smaller area in which the fire cannot expand as far. A firewood load that has been properly dried is crucial for efficient wood burning. Freshly cut wood that hasn't been allowed to dry 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 various types of wood. White pine and spruce may be more affordable than eastern hardwoods such as shagbark, hickory and black locust, but their BTU values are greater. This means they'll generate more heat from the same amount of wood. It is crucial to consider your heating requirements and fuel costs when choosing your firewood. Clean Burning Wood smoke can trigger indoor air pollution that can cause irritation to the lungs and respiratory distress in children and seniors. 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 burnt. Smoke from old, poorly-designed wood stoves and fireplaces can contribute to poor outdoor air quality, reducing visibility and contributing to photochemical smog. If used properly, however, modern technology for combustion in wood stoves that burn clean and in fire places can help reduce the emissions. Stage 1 – The vaporization of moisture: As the wood gets warmer it releases water vapour which escapes through the chimney flue. This takes more energy than if the log was dried before burning. It also consumes energy that could be put to use 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. If properly used, wood stoves and fireplaces using clean burn technology can reduce the risk of this issue by converting the logs to a charcoal-like state that releases less volatile gasses and produces most of the energy from the log as usable heat. Avoid using damp or sour wood to fuel your fire as it is more difficult to burn and generates lots of creosote compared to 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 create more smoke, which could cause chimney fires. Use a bucket made of metal to scoop up ashes from the stove, and wait for them to cool before handling them. Store or dispose of the ashes properly. They are able to ignite again when exposed to water and are hazardous in landfills. Instead, ensure that you use them around your garden or around the home. Properly properly storing, seasoning and burning your wood will save you money on fuel and ensure that your stove is working efficiently. It is also essential to regularly clean your chimney to remove creosote that has been deposited and particles and also to prevent chimney fires and ensure the safety of your operation. Safety It's hard to beat a warm fire in the winter cold however, safety precautions should be taken. If fires are not constructed correctly, left unattended or burned the risk of dangerous fumes entering the home. Creosote also builds up in the chimney. These deposits can clog the flue, inhibit airflow and cause your furnace or wood stove to work less efficiently. Never burn treated or painted wood, household trash paper, rags, and other combustible substances in your wood-burning stove or fireplace. They produce noxious gasses and release toxic fumes such as carbon monoxide. Do not use liquids that are flammable as a starter. Gasoline, lighter fluid and kerosene may cause fires in chimneys, increase emissions, and cause toxic creosote. Keep combustible materials like furniture, curtains and toys, a safe distance from your fireplace or stove. Don't hang clothes near your wood burning fireplace. Make sure that children understand that the fire is hot and should not be touched. Only make use of seasoned wood for your stove or fireplace. The wood that is seasoned has been dried during the summer months to reduce the amount of moisture. Wet woods emit more smoke and creosote whereas the wood that has been seasoned is more efficient and clean. The wood that is seasoned appears darker and cracks appear in the end grain, and sounds hollow when tapping. Store your wood outside, neatly stacked and with the top partially covered but still allowing air circulation to them. Appliances that are overloaded produce more smoke and less warmth. In addition, overloaded fires can produce dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. If you have an older appliance with a metal liner, check it regularly for signs of wear. This could cause a chimney fire. The EPA recommends using dry, split and well-seasoned wood in order to help reduce the amount of smoke you breathe in your home. Create a fire using small pieces. Avoid using soft woods like pine. Pine is a great fuel for the fire, but it shouldn't be used for more than. These soft woods are brimming with sap and resin, which burns, if burned, will create excessive creosote in the chimney. the advantage in a wood burning fireplace is the perfect way to warm up during the cold nights of winter. It is essential to maintain the fireplace to get the most out of it. Regular cleaning and inspections of your fireplace can help you to avoid any problems. This prevents the accumulation of creosote buildup and keeps the chimney clean for maximum efficiency. Creosote is a dark, hard, flammable substance that develops in the flue when wood doesn't completely burn. When a lot of creosote is accumulated it can cause chimney fires. These are the second most frequent cause of fires in homes across the United States. The inability of a fire to completely burn can be caused by a variety of reasons, including improperly closed dampers, cracks in the chimney's liner as well as a lack of regular cleaning and removal of ash. Wood that is not properly seasoned can cause the accumulation of creosote to an excessive degree. Water can comprise half of the weight of a wooden piece. In the course of a fire, this water boils and releases heat, but it also consumes energy in the process. The resulting water vapor is then condensed as creosote and released into the atmosphere as part of the smoke. Soot is a different harmful product of burning wood. Soot, though less dense than creosote, can impede airflow and adhere to walls. It also poses an hazard to fire because it is easily ignited when exposed to gasses that ignite. You should remove the ashes and store them in a metal ash container that you keep outside on a nonflammable surface. Don't forget that ashes are a great source of nutrients for your plants. Spread them around in your backyard! Regularly have your fireplace and chimney checked by a Regency Dealer Certified. The technician can look for cracks, creosote and soot levels and a damper that is shut properly 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 inspected for blockages. Refer to the user manual to learn how to do this for your particular unit.