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Wood Burning Fires Need to Be Hot and Clean The warmth and ambience of wood-burning fires is not only soothing and mesmerizing 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 high moisture content which makes it difficult to light and burn efficiently. Seasoned, or kiln dried wood has low moisture content and is easier to light and burn for longer. Efficient Combustion The wood fire should be sufficiently hot to eliminate moisture and reach temperatures of over 540 deg F. The heat-producing process of secondary combustion begins at 900 degrees F (in ideal conditions). This is the first step to efficiently burning fuel while reducing pollution and smoke that enters the flue. It is important to know that the temperature needed for secondary combustion is contingent on the kind of fuel used and the environment. Make sure to use firewood that is seasoned and has a an average moisture content of less than 20% to reduce these variations. Additionally, the amount of air that is pumped into the fire can greatly affect its heat output and time to burn. The more oxygen available, the faster the fire will burn. If the supply of air is limited, however, a wood fire will produce less heat and burn at a slower rate. To increase the time of burning and efficiency, a wood stove or fireplace insert should be fitted with an adjustable air damper. The wide-open setting gives the fire all the oxygen it needs and will quickly drain the fuel supply. A fire that is contained within an area of limited size is less likely to spread. A well-dried firewood load is also crucial to efficient wood burning. When wood is cut just recently and hasn't had time to dry, it will have high levels of water, which can be difficult to burn. For the best performance it is recommended that you use only seasoned wood that has been stored outdoors for six to nine months. The BTU content of wood is another aspect to consider. For example, white pine or spruce wood may be less expensive than eastern hardwoods such as shagbark hickory and black locust however the BTU values of the latter are more, meaning they provide more heat for the same amount of wood burned. It's important to take into account your heating requirements and fuel costs when choosing your firewood. Clean Burning Wood smoke can create indoor air pollution that can irritate lungs and cause respiratory distress in seniors and children. These pollutants comprise volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as formaldehyde and benzene, as well as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, like benzo-a-pyrene, that can cause cancer. Volatile tars (such as creosote) are also released when firewood is burned. Smoke from poorly-designed wood stoves and fire places can contribute to poor air quality in the outside by making it harder to see and causing photochemical smog. However, modern clean burning wood stoves and fireplaces with modern combustion technology, when properly used can significantly reduce the emissions. Stage 1 – Moisture Vaporizes: As the log heats up, it releases water vapor that escapes down the chimney flue. This is more energy-intensive than if the log had been dried prior to burning. It also consumes energy that could be used for to heat your home. In the flue, these vapors mix with carbon particles to create smoke. Smoke is among the major sources of particulate matter and smog in the air. Fireplaces and wood stoves equipped with clean burn technology, when properly used, can greatly reduce this issue by converting the logs into charcoal state, which releases far less volatile gases, as well as producing the majority of the energy in the log from usable heat. Avoid using damp, sour or rotten wood to ignite your fire. It's harder to burn and produces more creosote. Also, don't overload your stove with thin and soft wood such as fir or pine as it requires more energy to burn them, and they also produce more smoke, which can lead to chimney fires. Always wait until the ashes are cool before handling them. Store or dispose of ashes in a safe manner. They can re-ignite when exposed to water, and are hazardous in landfills. Make use of them in your garden or at home. Storing, seasoning and correctly burning your wood will help you save money and keep your stove running efficiently. It is also essential to clean your chimney regularly to get rid of creosote and other particles and also to prevent chimney fires and maintain safe operation. Safety There's nothing like a cozy fire to keep warm during cold winter nights, but the right safety precautions are essential. If fires are not properly constructed or burned, or left unattended, hazardous fumes can escape into the home, and potentially dangerous creosote deposits can build up within the chimney. These deposits can clog up the chimney and restrict airflow, causing your wood stove or furnace not to work as efficiently. Never burn painted or treated wood, household waste paper, rags, and other combustible substances in your wood-burning stove or fireplace. They emit toxic fumes, such as carbon dioxide and produce toxic gasses. Do not use liquids that are flammable as a starter. Gasoline, lighter fluid, and kerosene may cause chimney fires that can cause emissions to rise and produce toxic creosote. Keep combustibles, such as furniture or curtains, as well as toys, at a safe distance from your stove or fireplace. Do not hang clothes on or near your wood-burning fireplace. Make sure your children know that the fireplace is extremely hot and should not be touched. Only use seasoned wood in your stove or fireplace. The wood that has been seasoned has been dried during the summer months to lessen the amount of moisture. Woods that are damp emit more smoke and creosote, whereas mature logs are more efficient and cleaner. Wood that is seasoned looks darker and cracks appear in the end grain, and sounds hollow when tapping. Store your wood outside, neatly stacked and with the top covered, but allowing air circulation around 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 that has a lining made of metal, you should inspect the liner on a regular basis for signs of wear and tear that can cause an explosion in the chimney. The EPA recommends using dry, split and well-seasoned wood to minimize the amount of smoke you breathe in your home. Create indoor wood burner using small pieces. Avoid using wood burning stove for shed as pine. Pine is a good starting material for an open flame, but should not be used more than. These woods with softer sap contain and resin, which burns, if burned, will create large amounts of creosote into the chimney. Maintenance A warm fire in a wood-burning fireplace is the perfect method to relax during the cold winter nights. But, it is essential to maintain your fireplace in order to ensure that you reap the maximum enjoyment from your fireplace. Regular cleaning and inspections of your fireplace can help you avoid any issues. This maintenance helps prevent excessive creosote buildup, and also keeps the chimney clean for maximum efficiency. Creosote is a dark and crusty flammable substance that forms in the flue when wood doesn't burn completely. If a large amount of creosote builds up it can trigger chimney fires, which are the second leading cause of house fires in the United States. There are a variety of factors that can contribute to a fire's failure to completely burn, including dampers that are improperly closed, cracks in the chimney liner and the absence of regular cleaning and removal of ash. Creosote can accumulate excessively when wood is not properly treated. Water could comprise up to half of the weight of a wood piece. The water is heated during the fire and releases heat. top wood burning stoves consumes energy. The resulting water vapor is then condensed as creosote, or released into the air as part of the smoke. Another hazard of burning wood is soot. Soot is more pliable than creosote. However, it can cling to the walls of your fireplace and block air flow. It is also an ignition hazard since it easily ignites when exposed to combustible gases. You should remove the ashes and place them in a metal ash bucket that you can keep outside on a nonflammable surface. The Ash can also be used as a source of nutrients for plants So don't forget to scatter them across the yard! You should have a Certified Regency Dealer inspect your chimney and fireplace on a regular basis. The technician can check for cracks in the chimney, creosote and soot levels, a properly closed damper and the condition of your catalyst. If you have a double-stage fireplace that has an air tube, you must have the catalyst removed and visually checked for blockages. Refer to your user manual for instructions on how to accomplish this for your specific unit.