Are You Responsible For The Wood Burning Fires Budget? 12 Tips On How To Spend Your Money

Wood Burning Fires Need to Be Hot and Clean

Wood burning fires are not just a relaxing and enchanting experience, but they're a critical element of our wellbeing and health. However, they must be clean and hot to work effectively.

Green, or unseasoned, wood has high moisture content that makes it challenging to light and burn efficiently. The seasoned, or kiln dried wood has a lower moisture content and is easier to ignite and burn for longer.

small wood burning stove  must be sufficiently hot to burn off moisture and reach temperatures of over 540 deg F. The process of producing heat in secondary combustion begins at around 900 degrees F (in ideal conditions). This is the key step in efficiently burning fuel while reducing pollution and smoke that enters the flue.

It is important to keep in mind that the temperature required for secondary combustion varies with the type of fuel and the conditions in the environment. Choose firewood that is well-seasoned and has a moisture content of less than 20% to reduce the variations.

The amount of air that is provided to a flame can also have a significant impact on its heat output and burning time. The higher the amount of oxygen available, the hotter a fire will burn and the shorter its burn duration. When the air supply is insufficient a wood fire produces less heat and will burn slower.

A wood stove or fireplace insert fitted with an adjustable air damper will maximize the burn time and efficiency. A wide open setting allows the fire to burn through all oxygen available and will quickly use up the supply of usable fuel. A fire that is contained in an area of limited size is less likely to spread.

A firewood pile that has been properly dried is crucial for efficient wood burning. When wood is cut just recently and hasn't had time to dry out it will have a high levels of water, which could make it difficult for logs to burn. It is recommended to use only well-seasoned firewood that has been stored outdoors for six to nine months to ensure optimal performance.

The BTU content of wood is a different factor to consider. White pine and spruce may be less expensive than eastern hardwoods such as shagbark, hickory, and black locust, but their BTU numbers are higher. This means they'll produce more heat for the same amount of wood. This is why it's crucial to consider your heating requirements and the fuel costs when selecting your firewood.

Clean Burning

Wood smoke produces indoor air pollutants that irritate the lungs and cause respiratory distress, especially 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 firewood is smuggled into the air and smolders, volatile tars like creosote also get released.

Smoke from poorly-designed wood fireplaces and stoves can contribute to poor air quality in the outside by reducing visibility and contributing photochemical smog. However, new clean burning fireplaces and wood stoves with modern combustion technology, when used properly can drastically reduce the emissions.

Stage 1 - Moisture Vaporizes As the log heats up it releases water vapor which escapes through the chimney flue. This requires more energy than if the log had been dried before burning. This is a waste of energy that could be used to heat your home.

These vapors mix in the flue with carbon particles to create smoke. Smoke is a major contributor to particulate matter in the air and is among the main sources of smog that we experience on clear days.

Fireplaces and wood stoves that use clean burn technology, if used correctly, can significantly reduce the risk of this by converting the logs into a charcoal state which releases much less volatile gases, and producing most of the energy in the log from usable heat.

Avoid using damp, sour or decayed wood to light your fire. It is more difficult to burn and produces more creosote. Avoid overburdening the stove with thin and soft woods like pine or fir. They require more energy to burn and produce more smoke, which can cause chimney fires.

Use a bucket made of steel to remove ashes from the stove, and wait until they cool before handling them. Be sure to keep them in a safe place or dispose of them in a safe manner as ashes can ignite in the presence of water and they pose a risk in landfills. Instead, you should utilize them in your garden or in the home.

Properly conserving, securing and burning your wood properly will save you money on fuel and ensure that your stove is running efficiently. It is also crucial to clean your chimney regularly to remove deposited creosote and particles, as well as prevent chimney fires and maintain the safety of the operation.

Safety

There's nothing better than a warm fire to while away chilly winter evenings, but proper safety precautions are necessary. If fires are not constructed correctly, left unattended or burned the risk of dangerous fumes entering the home. Creosote can also build up in the chimney. These deposits could block the flue, impede airflow, and cause your wood stove or furnace to work less efficiently.

Do not burn treated, painted, or household trash in your wood-burning stove fireplace. They could release toxic fumes like carbon dioxide and create toxic gases. Also, avoid using explosive liquids to ignite fires. Kerosene, gasoline and lighter fluids can cause an increase in emissions, create toxic creosote and possibly cause chimney fires.

Keep flammable materials, such as furniture, curtains and toys, at a safe distance from your fireplace or stove. Do not hang clothes near or on your fireplace with wood burning. Children should be taught that the fireplace is very hot and should not be touched.

Use only seasoned wood for your fireplace or stove. Seasoned wood is dried through the summer to reduce the moisture content. Wet woods produce more smoke and creosote, while seasoned logs burn more efficiently and cleanly. The wood that has been seasoned is darker and has cracks along the ends of the grain, and sounds hollow when you tap it. Keep your wood outside, neatly stacked with the top covered, but allowing air circulation to 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 have an older appliance with a metal lining, inspect the liner on a regular basis for signs of wear and tear that could cause a chimney fire.

The EPA recommends reducing smoke in your home by using dry, split and well-seasoned wood, and then constructing a warm fire using small pieces. Avoid using soft woods like pine. Pine is a good fuel for an open flame, but should not be used more than. These woods with sap and resin which, when burnt, deposits excessive creosote into the chimney.

Maintenance

A warm flame in a wood burning fireplace is a great method to relax during the cold winter nights. But, it is essential to maintain your fireplace in order to ensure that you receive the maximum benefits from your fire. Regularly cleaning and inspecting your fireplace is the best way to prevent problems that could develop. This prevents creosote buildup and helps keep the chimney clean for maximum efficiency.

Creosote, a dark, crusty flammable substance that forms in the flue when wood doesn't burn completely. If a substantial amount of creosote builds up 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 completely burn, including dampers that have not been properly closed, cracks in the chimney liner and a lack of regular cleaning and removal of ash.

Wood that is not properly seasoned can cause an excessive buildup of creosote. Water can make up half of the weight of a wood piece. In the course of a fire the water boils and releases heat but it also consumes energy during the process. The resulting water vapor is then absorbed as creosote, or released into the atmosphere as part of the smoke.

Soot is another noxious byproduct from burning wood. Soot is softer than creosote, but it can cling to the walls of your fireplace and impede air circulation. It could also pose an ignition risk since it can ignite easily when exposed to combustible gasses.

You should remove the ashes and put them in an ash bucket made of metal, which you should keep outside on a nonflammable surface. The ashes can also serve as sources of nutrients for plants, so don't forget to spread them out across the backyard!

Regularly ensure that your chimney and fireplace are checked by a Regency Dealer Certified. 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 double-stage fireplace that has an air tube, you should have the catalyst removed and visually inspected for any blockages. Check your user's manual to find out how to do it for your fireplace.