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Wood Burning Fires Need to Be Hot and Clean The warmth and ambience of wood-burning fires is not just soothing and enchanting, but also essential to our health and well-being. However, they must be clean and hot to work effectively. Green wood, also known as unseasoned wood, has an excessive amount of moisture, making it difficult to ignite and burn effectively. Kiln dried or seasoned wood has a lower moisture content, making it easier to light and maintain a flame. Efficient Combustion A wood fire must be hot enough to drive out moisture and reach temperatures of 540 deg F ( The process of producing heat from secondary combustion starts at 900 degrees F (in ideal conditions). This is the key step to efficiently burning fuel and minimizing pollution and smoke that enters the flue. It is important to know that the temperature needed to ignite the secondary combustion process is dependent on the type of fuel used and the environment. Use seasoned firewood that has less than 20% to reduce these variations. The amount of air being supplied to a fire will also have a significant influence on its temperature and burning time. The more oxygen available, the more hot the fire will burn. When the air supply is limited, however the wood fire will produce less heat and will burn at a lower rate. A wood stove or fireplace insert with an adjustable air damper will increase burn time and efficiency. Wide open settings allow the fire to use up all of its available oxygen and quickly exhaust the supply of usable fuel. A fire that is contained within a small space is less likely to spread. A dry load of firewood is also critical for efficient wood burning. If wood is cut fresh and hasn't had the chance to dry out it will have a high water content that could make it difficult for logs to burn. To ensure optimal performance, it is recommended that you use only seasoned wood that has been stored outdoors for six to nine month. The BTU content of wood is a different factor to take into consideration. For instance, white pine or spruce wood may be less expensive than eastern hardwoods, such as black locust and shagbark hickory, but the BTU values of the latter are higher, meaning they will offer more heat for the same amount of wood. This is the reason it's important to think about your heating needs and the cost of fuel when choosing your firewood. Clean Burning Wood smoke produces indoor air pollutants that irritate the lungs and can cause respiratory distress, particularly for older adults and children. These pollutants include volatile aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) like benzo-a pyrene and formaldehyde and volatile organic compounds such as benzene. 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 outside, decreasing visibility and causing photochemical pollution. However, new clean burning wood stoves and fireplaces with modern combustion technology, when used correctly can drastically reduce the emissions. Stage 1 – Moisture vapourizes: As the log heats up it releases water vapor which escapes up the chimney flue. This is more energy-intensive than if the log had been dried prior to burning. It also wastes energy that could be put to use heating your home. In the flue, the vapors mix with carbon particles to form smoke. Smoke is a major contributor to particulate matter in the air and is among the major sources of smog that we see on clear days. If used properly when used correctly, wood stoves and fireplaces that use clean burn technology can lessen the problem by burning the logs into charcoal-like states, which releases less volatile gasses and releases the majority of the energy produced by the log into usable heat. Avoid using damp or sour wood for your fire because 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 such as fir or pine. They require more energy to burn and generate more smoke, which could cause chimney fires. Use a bucket made of steel to scoop up ashes from the stove, and wait for them to cool before handling them. Make sure you store or dispose of them properly – ashes can reignite when exposed to water, and they are hazardous in landfills. Instead, ensure that you use them around your garden or in the home. Storing, seasoning and correctly burning your wood will help you save money and ensure your stove runs efficiently. Cleaning your chimney on a regular basis is crucial to get rid of creosote and particulates as well as other debris that is deposited. This can also stop chimney fires and keep your chimney operating safely. Safety There's nothing like a cozy fire to keep warm during cold winter nights, but the right safety precautions are required. When fires aren't properly built, burned or left unattended, hazardous fumes could be released into the house and creosote deposits can build up inside the chimney. These deposits can clog up the flue and decrease the flow of air, making your wood stove or furnace to not work as efficiently. Never burn treated or painted wood, household waste, rags, paper and other combustible materials in your wood-burning fireplace or stove. They can release toxic fumes like carbon dioxide, and release toxic gases. Avoid using liquids that are flammable as a starter. Gasoline, lighter fluid and kerosene can cause fires in chimneys which can increase emissions and produce toxic creosote. Keep combustible objects, such as furniture, curtains and toys, at a safe distance from your fireplace or stove. Don't hang clothes near your wood burning fireplace. Make sure contemporary wood burners are aware that the fireplace is hot and should not be touched. Only use wood that is seasoned in your fireplace or stove. The wood that is seasoned has been dried through the summer to reduce moisture content. Woods that are damp emit more smoke and creosote. On the other hand, mature logs are more efficient and cleaner. The wood that is seasoned is darker, has cracks along the ends of the grain and sounds hollow when you tap it. Store your logs outside, neatly stacking them with the top covered, but permitting air circulation around them. The appliances that are overloaded generate more smoke and less warmth. Overloaded fires may also produce dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. If you have an older appliance with an aluminum liner, be sure to 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 with small pieces. Avoid soft woods such as pine. Pine is a good fuel for a fire, but shouldn't be used more than. These soft woods contain resin and sap, which, when burnt, deposits too much creosote in the chimney. Maintenance A warm evening in front of a fireplace that is wood-burning is a wonderful way to spend winter nights. It is crucial to maintain the fireplace to get the most out of it. Regular cleaning and inspections of your fireplace will allow you avoid any issues. This maintenance helps prevent excessive creosote accumulation and ensures that the chimney is clean for maximum efficiency. When wood doesn't burn completely it forms creosote in the chimney. If a large amount of creosote is accumulated, it can cause chimney fires which are the second-leading cause of house fires in the United States. The inability of a fire to fully burn is caused by a variety of factors, including improperly closed dampers and cracks in the chimney's liner as well as a lack of regular cleaning and ash removal. Creosote can accumulate excessively when wood isn't properly seasoned. Water could comprise up to half of the weight of a wooden piece. During the fire the water boils and releases heat, but it also consumes energy in the process. contemporary wood burners resulting from the process is then absorbed as creosote, or released into the atmosphere as part of the smoke. Soot is another noxious product of burning wood. Soot is more pliable than creosote, however it can stick to the walls of your fireplace, and block air flow. It is also a fire hazard because it ignites easily when exposed to gasses that are combustible. Remove the ashes from your fireplace and place them in an ash container made of metal. Keep it outside on an unflammable surface. Don't forget that the dust is a fantastic source of nutrients for your plants. Spread them around in your backyard! You should have a Certified Regency Dealer inspect your chimney and fireplace regularly. The technician will be able to check 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 chimney that has an air tube, the catalyst should be removed and visually inspected for obstructions. Refer to your user manual for instructions on how to do this for the particular unit you have.