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Burning
With Wood: An American Tradition
Since the beginning of time, a fire on the hearth has been
one of the most satisfying and comforting pleasures in life. The lure of the
fire is timeless, and a hearth product remains one of the most desired amenities
in a home. Along with the joy and comfort of using a hearth product comes the
responsibility of using it properly. In addition to the array of hearth product
options available – including freestanding stoves, factory-built fireplaces,
and fireplace inserts – today’s hearth products also burn a wide range of
fuels.
Although gas, pellet, and wood are a few of the favorite
fuels used in the
When heating with wood, there are four critical elements to
help achieve optimal economy, environmental responsibility, and efficiency from
a wood stove or wood burning fireplace insert:
1. The Wood Stove or Fireplace Insert
2. The Installation
3. The Operator
4. The Fuel
The Benefits
Many benefits result from the decision to heat with wood:
·
Wood
heat contributes to the conservation of the world’s non-renewable fossil fuels.
·
Wood
heat enhances the nation’s energy independence.
·
Heating
with wood will save you money.
However, linked to these benefits is the environmental
responsibility to burn as clean and efficiently as possible.
The following will address information on proper wood burning and provide tips
to help you burn smart and with low emissions to help protect the local
environment.
Straight
Answers To Your Burning Questions
Below is a list of straight answers
to your stove burning questions. Click
on the links below to view questions dealing with the following subjects:
·
Starting and burning
my wood stove correctly
·
What is the best fuel
for my wood stove
·
How can I tell if I
am burning my wood stove correctly?
·
Proper maintenance
of my wood stove
·
What is the concern
about wood smoke
·
What do I need to
know about installing a wood stove?
·
Why Should I Buy A
New Cleaner Burning Wood Stove?
Why Should I Buy A
New, Cleaner Burning Wood Stove?
Q. “Why should I consider buying a new, cleaner burning wood stove?”
A. More
heat, less work for you, and cleaner air to breath, that’s why you should
consider buying a new, cleaner burning wood stove. There have been amazing improvements in wood
stove technology since the mid-1980’s when people
bought wood stoves to avoid other high priced heating fuels. New stoves are 90% percent cleaner burning
than those old stoves built in the 1980’s because of this new technology. They burn much more of the wood you put in,
you get much more heat from every piece of firewood, and you enjoy wood burning
more. Smoke is unburned fuel, so smoke
means buying more fuel, stacking more wood, and trips to the wood pile to
fuel-up your stove.
Q. “How can I
tell if my wood stove is a new clean burning, high efficiency model?”
A.
Regulations enacted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) require
all wood stoves and fireplace inserts manufactured and sold after July 1, 1992
to pass stringent emission tests. An EPA label identifies a stove as a new clean
burning, high efficiency model, and is found on every certified stove or
insert. As of January 1, 1995, new
certified stoves and fireplaces sold in
How Can I Tell If I
Am Burning My Wood Stove Correctly
Q. “How can I tell if I am operating my wood stove
properly?”
A. Check the
exhaust coming out of your wood stove chimney; the smoke is your operational
barometer. If your fire is burning properly, you should only see the white
transparent steam of evaporating water that disappears a short distance from
the top of your chimney. Darker and opaque smoke will only be slightly visible.
The darker the color of the exhaust, the less efficiently you are operating the
appliance. It may be necessary to adjust the operation of your wood stove to
decrease the opacity of the exhaust (that is, the density of the smoke). A 15%
opacity level indicates efficient operations, while a 20% level reflects
unacceptable polluting conditions. You
can be cited by inspectors if the smoke from your chimney exceeds 20% opacity.
Proper Fuel For
Your Wood Stove (3
Q&A’s)
Q. “Does it matter what kind of wood I use?”
A. Yes! Your fuel supply should consist of seasoned firewood.
Seasoning is very important and is discussed further below. When first starting your fire, use softwoods.
They ignite easily and burn rapidly with a hot flame. Hardwoods provide a
longer lasting fire and are best used after preheating the chimney. If
hardwoods are unavailable, you can control your fire’s burn rate by using
larger pieces of softwoods.
Q.. “Is it important to season wood
before burning it?”
A. Yes, for
several reasons. Seasoning increases the
heat you get from your wood and reduces the emission from burning your
wood. Seasoning is one of the most
important requirements of burning responsibly.
The seasoning, or drying process allows most of
the natural moisture found in wood to evaporate, making it easier to burn. A
properly seasoned log will have 20%-30% moisture content. Wood only dries from
the surface inward so un-split pieces dry very slowly. To properly season wood,
split the logs as soon as possible and stack them in a dry spot for 6-18
months. Pile the wood loosely, allowing air to circulate through the split
logs. Hardwoods take longer to dry than softwoods. Humidity and temperature
levels also impact drying time.
Q. “Is there
anything I shouldn’t burn?”
A. Never
burn garbage, plastic, foil, or any kind of chemically treated or painted wood.
They all produce noxious fumes; these are dangerous and highly polluting.
A person shall not cause or allow
any of the following materials to be burned in any residential solid fuel
burning device:
(a) Garbage;
(b) Treated wood;
(c) Plastics;
(d) Rubber products;
(e) Animals;
(f) Asphaltic products;
(g) Waste petroleum products;
(h) Paints; or
(i) Any substance, other
than properly seasoned fuel wood, which normally emits dense smoke or obnoxious
odors.
Additionally, if you have a
catalytic stove, the residue from burning materials other than seasoned firewood
may clog the catalytic combustor.
Q. “How can
I tell if a stove or insert is sized right for my home?”
A. Consider
your geographic location and climate, the number of rooms you wish to heat, and
construction features of your home such as room size, ceiling height, and
insulation. Ask a Hearth Specialty Retailer for information on the best stove
for your space heating requirements. To locate a Hearth Specialty Retailer
visit www.nwhpba.org
Q. “I
already have an older stove. Is there anything I can do to make it burn
cleaner?”
A. Yes. Even
if you can’t upgrade to a new EPA-certified stove or fireplace insert right
away, you can still improve the performance of your current stove. Use only
properly seasoned wood or manufactured sawdust logs. Do not "damper down" your stove to
try and keep it burning over night or for extended periods of time. Dampering down your
stove results in high smoke emissions that are unacceptable. Have your wood heating system inspected by a
certified Hearth Specialty Retailer or by a CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep to
ensure it has been properly installed. To locate a certified sweep, visit www.csia.org
What Should I Know About Installing A Wood Stove?
Q.
“When installing a
wood stove, what’s the first thing I should consider?”
A. The first
thing to consider is that the wood stove and chimney work as a system. It is
important that the stove’s chimney system be sized properly, according to
manufacturer’s instructions. Whether venting into a masonry or metal system,
make sure the diameter of the chimney matches closely, but never smaller than,
the size of the stove’s flue outlet. Doing anything else adversely impacts
emissions and safety.
Q. “Can I
install my own stove, or should I have the installation done professionally?”
A. The
Northwest Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association recommends that all stove
and fireplace inserts be installed by a hearth specialist. This technician will
be familiar with your model and will have installed many others like it. This
experience can save you time, money, and frustration in the long run. Plus, it
gives you the confidence your stove is installed properly and safely. To locate
a hearth specialist, visit www.nwhpba.org
Q. “Where
can I find a qualified installer?”
A. A Hearth
Specialty Retailer can provide you with professional installation assistance.
Ask the retailer about the installer’s credentials. Does the installer have
experience with the make and model of the stove you are buying?
What Is The Concern
About Wood Smoke?
Q. “Why is wood smoke undesirable?”
A. Smoke, in
the form of solid particles (“particulates”) and volatile gases, is unburned
fuel. An improperly operated wood stove fails to achieve the high combustion
temperatures necessary to burn the particulates and ignite the gases. These
gases and particulates contain half the heating potential of your firewood. The
loss of this fuel up the chimney amounts to a loss of efficiency. Improperly
operated wood stoves can also adversely affect air quality. However, the use of
EPA-certified wood stoves and wood burning fireplace inserts, combined with the
proper operation of all wood burning stoves and inserts, can decrease the level
of polluting emissions by up to 85 percent.
Q. “Are
there times when I should not burn my woodstove?”
A. Yes! There are times when the air becomes stagnant
and pollutants accumulate. When air
quality gets to a point of causing health problems for some people, a first
stage burn ban is called. In a first
stage burn ban, all non-certified woodstoves and fireplaces are prohibited from
burning - unless they are your only source of heat. This is because non-certified woodstoves and
fireplaces emit the highest levels of smoke.
Certified woodstoves, pellet stoves, and certified fireplaces can
continue to be used during a first-stage burn ban, but responsible burning is a
must. If air quality continues to worsen, a second stage burn ban is
called. Second-stage burn bans rarely
occur, but if they are called, burning in all wood burning devices is
prohibited unless it is your only source of heat. Responsible burning means you comply with the
burn bans.
Q. “Are
there times when my wood stove or fireplace insert will emit more smoke?”
A. There are
two periods in the operation of a wood stove most vulnerable to creating smoky
emissions -- during startup and during refueling. However, these smoky periods
can be dramatically minimized by proper operation.
Q. “What can
I do to minimize the amount of smoke at startup and refueling?”
A. Create
the drafting conditions necessary to maintain clean combustion. “Good drafting
condition” occurs when your chimney consistently draws air into the wood stove
at a high enough rate to prove adequate oxygen for complete burning. To create
this draft, you must “preheat the chimney.” Some chimneys require longer
preheating periods than others, depending upon their height, outside exposure,
and construction. Typically, preheating requires 5-15 minutes of burning a vigorous
fire.
Starting and
Burning Your Wood Stove
(5 Q&A’s)
Q. “How do I start my stove and preheat my
chimney?”
A. At
startup, remove all but a thin layer of ashes from your firebox. Insert five or
six crumpled individual pieces of newspaper and dry finely split kindling or a
firelighter. Firmly open the air supply (dampers) to the wood stove and ignite
the paper on all aides. You may find it necessary to leave the stove door
slightly ajar during the first few moments of the fire. After the first load
ignites, add more kindling until the chimney is preheated. The fire should burn
briskly and full of flame during the startup if you are operating the wood
stove properly.
When reloading, place finely split
pieces of wood on the charcoal bed and fully open the air supply. Using smaller pieces of wood during reloading encouraged rapid
reheating of the chimney.
You’ll know the chimney is preheated
when each large piece of wood you add to the fire burns vigorously, without a
loss in intensity of the fire. Keep watching for a constant and rising movement
of air that signals good drafting conditions have been achieved.
Some wood stove manufacturers
provide specific guidelines for startup and preheating phases involving the
indirect monitoring of chimney exhaust temperatures. Typically, chimney
connector temperatures must reach 500-600 degrees F. before the chimney is
fully primed. Follow your manufacturer’s instructions when temperature and
startup procedures are specified.
Q. “Once I
have preheated my chimney, how should I operate the stove?”
A. Although
all wood stoves require preheating during startup and reloading, their
operation afterwards varies somewhat. Wood stoves using catalytic combustors
require the monitoring of temperatures and air supply to ensure the catalyst
engages at appropriate times in the combustion cycle. Generally, catalytic
stoves require lower combustion temperatures in the firebox to burn cleanly. At
500-1000 degrees F., the catalyst ignites, burning the volatile gases and
particulates. Non-catalytic stoves attain much higher temperatures in the
combustion path before the gases and particulates burn. Always refer to your
wood stove manufacturer’s operation manual and follow the instructions for your
particular make and model.
Q. “What’s
the best way to load wood into my stove or insert?”
A. Avoid
placing pieces of wood in parallel directions, where they may stack too
closely. Vary the position of the wood in the firebox to maximize the exposed
surface area of each piece of wood. Only use wood properly sized for your
stove’s fire chamber. Complete wood combustion requires wood (fuel),
temperature (heat), and oxygen (air) to burn completely and cleanly.
Q. “Do I
operate my stove differently in cold vs. warm weather conditions?”
A. Yes.
During the warmer seasons of spring and fall, control the total heat output by
limiting the amount of fuel (wood) rather than by closing down the air supply.
Make shorter, hot fires using more finely split wood. The actual air supply
setting will vary according to your stove instruction, but the fuel loading
will be consistently smaller. Let the fire burn out rather than smolder at low
air supply setting. When your home requires more heat, restart the fire with
kindling as always, but add smaller fuel loads. This allows your stove to
operate at maximum efficiency and with minimum emissions. Avoid the temptation
of building a big fire and then starving it for air.
Q. “Are
there times when I should not burn my woodstove?”
A. Yes! There are times when the air becomes stagnant
and pollutants accumulate. When air
quality gets to a point of causing health problems for some people, a first
stage burn ban is called. In a first
stage burn ban, all non-certified woodstoves and fireplaces are prohibited from
burning - unless they are your only source of heat. This is because non-certified woodstoves and
fireplaces emit the highest levels of smoke.
Certified woodstoves, pellet stoves, and certified fireplaces can
continue to be used during a first-stage burn ban, but responsible burning is a
must. If air quality continues to worsen, a second stage burn ban is
called. Second-stage burn bans rarely
occur, but if they are called, burning in all wood burning devices is
prohibited unless it is your only source of heat. Responsible burning means you comply with the
burn bans.
Maintaining Your
Wood Stove (3 Q&A’s)
Q. “Is it important to have my stove and chimney
cleaned?”
A. Yes.
Smoke rising through your chimney may condense and build up on the cooler
inside walls forming a substance known as creosote. The volatile substance can
ignite and burn in the chimney. Many chimneys and installations are unable to
withstand these dangerous creosote fires; the results can be tragic. Chimneys
and vents for wood stoves and inserts also perform the necessary function of
directly venting the hot gases from a fire away from the house. If the chimneys
or vents are obstructed by debris or animals the hot gases can be forced back
into the home. At the same time, wood stoves and inserts require service to
ensure they are operating correctly.
Q. “How
often should I have my chimney inspected and cleaned?”
A. The
Chimney Safety Institute of
Q. "How
often should I have my wood stove or fireplace inserts serviced?"
A. At least
annual inspection/service/maintenance for solid fuel appliances and venting
systems are recommended. The basis for that recommendation for solid fuel
appliances is the National Fire Protection Association standard NFPA 211.
Q. “How can
I make my fireplace produce less emissions so that I
can still enjoy a wood fire”?
A. You can
install an EPA-certified wood burning insert or you can burn manufactured firelogs that produce less than two-thirds emissions than
firewood burned in an open-hearth fireplace.
Summary To Clean, Efficient, Responsible Wood Heating
·
Select
an EPA-certified wood stove or insert that produces up to 85 percent less emissions than those manufactured before July 1,
1992.
·
If
you cannot install a newer stove or insert, enhance the capabilities of your
current appliance by following the tips above.
·
Make
sure the stove’s installation and flue system are safe and appropriate by
having an annual chimney inspection and through periodic maintenance on your
stove or insert.
·
Remember
how you burn determines the economy, environmental responsibility, and
efficiency of your wood burning stove or insert.
·
Never
"damper down" a stove so that it smolders over night or for extended
periods of time.
·
Follow
local "burn ban" regulations.
·
Use
dry, seasoned and split wood or manufactured firelogs.
·
Never
burn garbage in a wood stove.
·
For
more information on burning clean, burning smart, contact the Northwest Hearth,
Patio & Barbecue Association at 509-474-1403 or visit their website at www.nwhpba.org
Wood Burning And The Environment
Nearly every day, we read news reports about the need to
reduce emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs) to
prevent climate change and related problems.
The main source of GHGs is the burning of oil,
gas, and coal to produce the energy we use.
These fuels are called fossil fuels because they are taken from deep
beneath the earth's surface, where they have been formed over millions of
years. When fossil fuels are burned, GHGs are released.
The main GHG is carbon dioxide.
Increased concentrations of these gases in the atmosphere trap the sun's
heat close to the earth and cause the average global temperature to rise.
Wood, however, differs from fossil fuels such as oil and gas
because it is carbon neutral. The term
"renewable" refers to the fact that trees recycle carbon
dioxide. As a tree grows, it uses carbon
dioxide from the air as a source of carbon to build its structure. This carbon makes up about half of the weight
of wood. When wood is burned, it
decomposes rapidly, and carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere
again. A similar amount of carbon
dioxide would be slowly released if the tree died and was left to rot on the
forest floor. As a result, wood heating
doesn't contribute to the problem of climate change the way fossil fuel use
does. But wood fuel is truly renewable
only if it is produced by using sustainable forestry practices. Our forests can be a perpetual source of fuel
- as long as they are cared for and managed properly.
Reprinted
with permission from A Guide To Residential Wood
Heating and Natural Resources Canada of the Canadian Federal Government.