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Wood Burning Fires Need to Be Hot and Clean The warmth and ambience of a wood-burning fireplace is not just soothing and enchanting but is also vital to our health and well-being. But, they must be clean and hot in order to function effectively. Unseasoned, or green, wood has a high moisture content which makes it difficult to light and burn efficiently. Kiln dried or seasoned wood has a lower moisture content, making it easier to ignite and maintain a fire. Efficient Combustion The wood fire should be sufficiently hot to eliminate moisture and reach temperatures over 540 degrees F. 800 deg F in ideal conditions) at which the secondary combustion process starts. This is the most crucial step in efficient combustion of the fuel while minimizing pollution smoke, creosote, and buildup in the flue. It is important to keep in mind that the temperature needed for secondary combustion varies based on the type of fuel and the conditions in the environment. Choose firewood that is well-seasoned and has an average moisture content of less than 20% to minimize these variations. The quantity of air supplied to a fire will also have a significant impact on the energy output and time to burn. The more oxygen that is available, the faster the fire will burn. When the air supply is not sufficient a wood fire produces less heat and will burn slower. To maximize burn time and efficiency, a wood stove or fireplace insert should be fitted with an adjustable air damper. cheap wood burner allows the fire to use up all the oxygen available and quickly exhaust the fuel that is usable. This is not the case with an area that is limited to a limited area, where the fire is unable to expand as far. A dry load of firewood is also critical for efficient wood burning. Wood that hasn't been allowed to dry will contain a lot of water, making it difficult to burn. To ensure optimal performance it is recommended that you use only wood that has been seasoned that has been stored outside for six to nine month. Another consideration is the BTU content of various types of wood. For example, white pine or spruce wood may be less expensive than eastern hardwoods such as black locust or shagbark, but the BTU values of the latter are higher, meaning they will provide more heat for the same amount of wood. This is why it's important to consider your heating requirements and the fuel costs when selecting your firewood. Clean Burning Wood smoke creates indoor air pollutants that irritate the lungs and trigger respiratory distress, particularly for older adults and children. These pollutants comprise volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like formaldehyde and benzene, as well as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzo-apyrene, can cause cancer. When firewood is burned, volatile tars such as creosote can also be released. Smoke from poorly-designed wood stoves and fire places can contribute to poor air quality outside by making it harder to see and causing photochemical smog. However, modern clean burning fireplaces and wood stoves that incorporate modern combustion technology when used correctly can significantly reduce these emissions. Stage 1 – Moisture Vaporizes As the log gets heated, it releases water vapor which escapes through the chimney flue. This uses up more energy than it would have if the log was seasoned to dry prior to burning. This also wastes energy that could be used for warming your home. In the flue, these vapors combine with carbon particles to create smoke. Smoke is one of the main sources of particulate matter and smog that is found in the air. Fireplaces and wood stoves that use clean burn technology, when utilized correctly, can dramatically reduce the risk of this by burning the logs to a charcoal state, which releases far less volatile gases, as well as producing the majority of the energy contained in the log from usable heat. Avoid using damp, sour or rotten wood to ignite your fire. It is more difficult to burn and produces more creosote. Avoid overburdening the stove with thin and soft woods like fir or pine. They require more energy to burn and create more smoke, which can cause chimney fires. Use a bucket made of metal to scoop up ashes from the stove, and always wait for them to cool before handling them. Be sure to store or dispose of them properly – ashes can reignite if exposed to water, and they pose a risk in landfills. Use them in your garden or at your home. Properly properly storing, seasoning and burning your wood properly will save you money on fuel and keep your stove functioning efficiently. Cleaning your chimney on a regular basis is essential to eliminate creosote and particulates as well as other deposited matter. This will also prevent chimney fires as well as keep your chimney operating safely. Safety It's hard to beat a warm fire in the winter cold However, precautions for safety should be taken. When fires are improperly built or burned, or left unattended, harmful fumes could be released into the house and creosote accumulations can form within the chimney. These deposits could block the flue and reduce airflow, causing your furnace or wood stove to not work as effectively. Never burn painted or treated wood, household waste paper, rags, or other combustible materials inside your wood-burning fireplace or stove. They could emit toxic fumes, such as carbon dioxide, and release toxic gases. Don't use the flammable liquids to ignite fires. Kerosene, gasoline and lighter fluids can increase emissions, cause toxic creosote and possibly cause chimney fires. Keep combustibles such as furniture, curtains and toys, at a safe distance from your fireplace or stove. Never hang clothing near or on the fireplace that is burning wood. Children should be taught that the fireplace is extremely hot and shouldn't be touched. Make sure to use only wood that has been seasoned for your fireplace or stove. The wood that is seasoned has been dried over the summer months to reduce moisture. The wood that is damp produces more creosote and smoke, however, seasoned logs burn more cleanly and more efficiently. Seasoned wood is darker and has cracks along the grain's end, and sounds hollow when you tap it. Place your logs outdoors and stack them neatly with the top covered, but allowing air to circulate around them. Appliances that are overloaded produce more smoke and less warmth. Fires that are overloaded can also create dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. If you own an older appliance with an iron liner, you should inspect it regularly for indications of wear. This could 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. Pine is a good fuel for a fire, but shouldn't be used for more than. These woods with softer sap contain and resin, which, when burned, deposit excessive creosote in the chimney. Maintenance Warming up in front of a wood-burning fireplace is a great option to relax during winter evenings. It is crucial to maintain your fireplace in order to make the most of it. Regular cleaning and inspections of your fireplace will help you avoid any issues. This maintenance helps prevent excessive creosote accumulation and keeps the chimney clean to ensure 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 accumulates, 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 cause a fire to fail to completely burn, including dampers that are improperly closed and cracks in the chimney liner as well as a lack of regular cleaning and the removal of ash. Creosote can accumulate excessively when wood is not properly seasoned. This is because nearly half of the weight of a piece wood is water. In the course of a fire, this water boils and releases heat but it also consumes energy in the process. The water vapor produced is then absorbed into creosote and is released into the air as a part of smoke. Soot is a different harmful byproduct of burning wood. Soot is less brittle than creosote, however it can cling to the walls of your fireplace, and block air flow. It can also be a fire hazard because it is easily ignited when exposed to combustible gasses. Take the ashes out of your fireplace and store them in an ash bucket made of metal. Keep it outside on a non-flammable area. The ashes can also serve as a source of nutrients for plants So 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 two-stage fireplace which has an air tube, the catalyst should be removed and visually checked for obstructions. Refer to your user manual for instructions on how to accomplish this for the particular unit you have.