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click here! Burning Fires Need to Be Hot and Clean The warmth and ambiance of wood-burning fires are not just relaxing and captivating, but also essential to our health and well-being. They must be hot and clean to be effective. Green, or unseasoned wood has a high moisture content which makes it difficult to ignite and burn effectively. The seasoned, or kiln dried wood has low moisture content and is easier to light and keep burning. Efficient Combustion A wood fire needs to be hot enough to drive out moisture and reach temperatures of 540 deg F ( The process of producing heat in secondary combustion begins at around 900 degrees F (in ideal conditions). This is the first step to efficient combustion of fuel and minimizing pollution and smoke that enters the flue. It is important to know that the temperature needed for secondary combustion depends on the type of fuel used and the surrounding conditions. Make sure to use firewood that is seasoned and has a an average moisture content of less than 20% to minimize the variations. Additionally, the amount of air that is pumped into the fire can greatly affect 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. When the air supply is not sufficient the wood fire produces less heat and burn at a lower rate. A fireplace or wood stove insert with an adjustable air damper will maximize burn time and efficiency. Wide open settings allow the fire to use up all oxygen available and will quickly use up the supply of usable fuel. The reverse is true for 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. If wood is cut fresh and hasn't had time to dry out, it will have high levels of water, which can be difficult for logs to burn. For optimal performance, it is recommended that you use only seasoned wood that has been stored outdoors for six to nine months. Another thing to consider is the BTU content of different types of wood. White pine and spruce might be less expensive than eastern hardwoods like shagbark and hickory as well as black locust, however their BTU values are higher. This means that they will produce more heat with the same amount of wood. This is why it's important to think about your heating needs and the fuel costs when selecting your firewood. Clean Burning Wood smoke can cause indoor air pollution, which can cause irritation to the lungs and respiratory distress in seniors and children. These pollutants include volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as benzene and formaldehyde, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons like benzo-a-pyrene, that can cause cancer. Volatile tars (such as creosote) are also released when firewood is burnt. Smoke from poorly-designed wood fireplaces and stoves can cause poor air quality in the outside by making it harder to see and causing photochemical smog. However, new clean burning wood stoves and fireplaces that incorporate modern combustion technology when properly used can drastically reduce these emissions. Stage 1 – Vaporization of Moisture: As the log warms, it releases water vapour, which escapes through the chimney flue. This uses up more energy than had the log been seasoned to dry prior to 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 create smoke. Smoke is a major contributor to particulate matter in the air and is one of the main sources of smog we experience on clear days. Wood stoves and fireplaces with clean burn technology, when utilized correctly, can dramatically reduce this issue by burning the logs to a charcoal state that releases less volatile gases, and creating 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 generates a lot more creosote than well-seasoned wood. Don't overload the stove with brittle and thin woods like fir or pine. They require more energy to burn and generate more smoke, which can cause chimney fires. Always wait until the ashes are cool before handling them. Store or dispose of the ashes properly. small wood burning heater are able to ignite again when exposed to water and are hazardous in landfills. Make use of them in your garden or at home instead. Storing, seasoning and properly burning your wood can help you save money and ensure that your stove is operating efficiently. It is also crucial to regularly clean your chimney to get rid of creosote and other particles, as well as prevent chimney fires and maintain safe operation. Safety There's nothing like a cozy fire to warm up chilly winter evenings, however proper safety precautions are required. If fires are constructed incorrectly or left unattended, or if they are burned and a dangerous gas can be released into the home. Creosote may also build up in the chimney. These deposits can clog the flue, impede the flow of air and cause your furnace or wood stove to operate less efficiently. Do not burn treated or painted trash in your wood-burning stove fireplace. They emit noxious gasses and release toxic fumes like carbon monoxide. Do not use the flammable liquids for a fire starter. Gasoline, lighter fluid, and kerosene can cause chimney fires that can cause emissions to rise and produce toxic creosote. Keep combustibles, such as furniture, curtains and toys, in 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 very hot and should not be touched. Only use seasoned wood for your fireplace or stove. Seasoned wood is dried during the summer months to reduce moisture content. Wood that is wet produces more creosote and smoke, whereas seasoned logs burn much more efficiently and with less mess. The wood that is seasoned is darker and cracks appear along the end grain and makes a hollow sound when you tap it. Keep your logs outside stacked neatly with the top securing and allowing air to circulate around them. Overloaded appliances produce more smoke and less warmth. Fires that are overloaded can also produce unsafe carbon monoxide levels. If you have an older appliance that has a metal liner, check it frequently for indications of wear. This can lead to an explosion in the chimney. The EPA recommends reducing smoke inside your home by using dry, split and well-seasoned wood and building a hot fire using small pieces. Avoid using soft woods, like pine, which are a great starting material to get your fire up and running but shouldn't be used for anything other than. These woods with softer sap contain and resin, which burns, if burned, will create large amounts of creosote into the chimney. Maintenance Warming up in front of a fireplace that is wood-burning is a wonderful way to enjoy the winter nights. It is crucial to maintain your fireplace to ensure that you receive the maximum benefits from your fire. Regularly cleaning and inspecting your fireplace is the best way to avoid problems that may occur. This prevents the accumulation of creosote buildup, and also ensures that the chimney is clean for maximum efficiency. If wood doesn't completely burn, creosote forms in the chimney. If a substantial amount of creosote is accumulated, it can cause chimney fires which are the second-leading cause of house fires in the United States. A variety of issues could cause a fire to fail to fully burn, such as dampers that have not been properly closed and cracks in the chimney liner as well as the absence of regular cleaning and the removal of ash. Creosote can build up in large amounts when wood isn't properly seasoned. 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 produced then condenses into creosote or is released into the air as part of smoke. Another harmful byproduct of burning wood is soot. Soot is more pliable than creosote, however it can cling to the walls of your fireplace and block air circulation. It can also be a fire hazard because it ignites easily when exposed to combustible gasses. You should remove the ashes and place them in a metal ash container that you can keep outside on a nonflammable surface. Don't forget that dust is a fantastic source of nutrients for your plants. Spread them out in your yard! You should have a Certified Regency Dealer inspect your fireplace and chimney regularly. The technician can check for cracks in the chimney, soot and creosote levels, a properly closed damper and also the condition of your catalyst. If you have a two-stage fireplace which includes an air tube, the catalyst must be removed and checked visually for obstructions. Check your user's manual to find out how to do it for your particular unit.