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Wood Burning Fires Need to Be Hot and Clean Wood-burning fires aren't only relaxing and captivating, but they're a critical element of our health and well-being. But, they must be clean and hot for them to function properly. Green, or unseasoned, wood has a high moisture content that makes it challenging to burn and light efficiently. Kiln dried, or seasoned wood has a low moisture content and is easier to ignite and burn for longer. Efficient Combustion The wood fire must be sufficiently hot to burn off water and reach temperatures that exceed 540 deg F. The process of producing heat from secondary combustion starts at 900 degrees F (in ideal conditions). This is the first step in efficient combustion of fuel and minimizing pollutants and smoke in the flue. It is vital to realize that the temperature required for secondary combustion is contingent on the type of fuel and the surrounding conditions. The best way to limit the variation is to use seasoned firewood with an average moisture content of less than 20%. The quantity of air supplied to a fire will also have an important influence on its temperature and burning time. The more oxygen that is available, the more hot the fire will burn. If the supply of air is not sufficient the wood fire produces less heat and burn slower. A wood stove or fireplace insert with an adjustable air damper will increase the burn time and efficiency. The wide-open setting lets the fire to take all the oxygen it can get and quickly draw down the fuel supply. A fire that is contained in a small space is less likely to spread. A well-dried 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. For optimal performance, it is recommended that you only use seasoned wood that has been stored outdoors for six to nine month. The BTU content of wood is another factor to take into consideration. For example white pine or spruce wood may be cheaper than eastern hardwoods like shagbark hickory and black locust however the BTU values of the latter are much more, meaning they offer more heat for the same amount of wood burned. It is important to consider your heating requirements and fuel costs when choosing your firewood. Clean Burning Wood smoke is a source of indoor air pollutants that irritate the lungs and cause respiratory distress, particularly for older adults and children. These pollutants include volatile aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) such as benzo-a-pyrene and formaldehyde and volatile organic compounds, such as benzene. When wood is burned the volatile tars like creosote also get released. Smoke from poorly designed wood stoves and fire places could contribute to poor air quality outside, reducing visibility and contributing photochemical smog. If properly used, however, modern combustion technology in clean-burning wood stoves and fire places can reduce these emissions. Stage 1 – Moisture Vaporizes: As the log gets heated, it releases water vapor, that escapes down the chimney flue. This requires more energy than if the log was dried prior to burning. This also wastes energy that could be put to use heating your home. In the flue, these vapors combine with carbon particles to create smoke. Smoke is one of the major contributors to particulate matter in the air and is among the major sources of smog that we experience on clear days. When used correctly, wood stoves and fireplaces that use clean burn technology can help reduce this problem significantly by burning the logs into charcoal-like conditions that releases less volatile gasses and releases most of the energy from the logs as usable heat. Avoid using damp or sour wood for your fire because it's more difficult to burn and produces lots of creosote compared to well-seasoned wood. Avoid overburdening the stove with soft and thin woods such as fir or pine. They require more energy to burn and produce more smoke, which could cause chimney fires. Always wait until the ashes have cool before handling them. Make sure you store or dispose of them in a safe manner as ashes can ignite in the presence of water and they pose a risk in landfills. Use them in your garden or at home. Storing, seasoning and properly burning your wood will help you save money and ensure that your stove is operating efficiently. Regularly cleaning your chimney is crucial to get rid of creosote, particulates, and other debris that has been deposited. This can also help prevent chimney fires and ensure safe operation. Safety It's hard to beat a warm fireplace in the winter cold, but security precautions must be taken. When fires are built incorrectly and left unattended or burnt and a dangerous gas can be released into the home. Creosote also builds up in the chimney. These deposits can block the flue, block the flow of air and cause your furnace or wood stove to work less efficiently. Never burn painted or treated wood, household waste paper, rags, and other combustible substances in your wood-burning fireplace or stove. They produce noxious gasses and release toxic fumes like carbon monoxide. Do not use liquids that are flammable as a starter. Kerosene, gasoline and lighter fluid can increase emissions, produce toxic creosote and possibly cause chimney fires. Keep combustibles, like furniture or curtains, as well as toys, in a safe distance from your stove or fireplace. Don't hang clothes near your wood-burning fireplace. Make sure that children understand that the fireplace is hot and should not be touched. Only make use of seasoned wood for your fireplace or stove. The wood that is seasoned has been dried through the summer to decrease the moisture content. Wet woods produce more smoke and creosote whereas seasoned logs burn much more cleanly and more efficiently. The wood that has been seasoned is darker and cracks appear along the ends of the grain and sounds hollow when you tap it. Keep your logs outside stacked neatly with the top covered, but allowing air to circulate around them. Be careful not to overload your fireplace or stove because overloaded appliances produce more smoke and less heat. Fires that are overloaded can also create dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. If you have an older appliance that has a metal liner, check it regularly for signs of wear. This could lead to an explosion in the chimney. The EPA recommends using dry, split, and well-seasoned wood to help reduce the amount of smoke you breathe in your home. Build a hot fire using small pieces. Avoid soft woods such as pine. Pine is a good starter material for an open flame, but should not be used for more than. These softer woods have resin and sap, which when burned, releases excessive creosote inside the chimney. Maintenance A warm fire in a wood burning fireplace is a great way to warm up during the cold winter nights. It is important to maintain your fireplace in order to get the most out of it. Regularly cleaning and inspecting your fireplace is the best method to avoid any issues that might develop. This maintenance helps prevent excessive creosote buildup and keeps the chimney clean for maximum efficiency. If the wood doesn't fully burn it forms creosote in the chimney. When a large amount of creosote accumulates, it can lead to chimney fires. They are the second most frequent cause of house fires across the United States. A variety of issues could cause a fire to fail to fully burn, such as dampers that are not properly sealed and cracks in the chimney liner and a lack of regular cleaning and the removal of ash. Creosote can accumulate excessively when wood is not properly seasoned. Water can comprise half of the weight of a wood piece. The water boils during fire and releases heat. It also consumes energy. The water vapor created then condenses into creosote, or is released into the air as a part of smoke. Another harmful side effect of burning wood is soot. Soot, although less dense than creosote can block airflow and stick to walls. It is also a fire hazard because it ignites easily when exposed to combustible gasses. Take indoor wood burner out of your fireplace and put them in an ash bucket made of metal. Keep it outside on an unflammable surface. The ashes can also serve as sources of nutrients for plants, so don't forget to scatter them across the backyard! You should have a Certified Regency Dealer inspect your chimney and fireplace regularly. The technician can look for cracks, creosote levels, soot levels, a properly shut damper, and the condition of the catalyst. If you have a double-stage fireplace that has an air tube, it is recommended to have the catalyst removed and inspected visually for blockages. Consult your user manual to find out how to do it for your unit.