Burn it Smart! Safer More Efficient Healthier. 2 Objectives of the Workshop To help you: burn wood SAFELY burn wood more EFFICIENTLY keep your family.

Burn it Smart!Burn it Smart!

Safer

More Efficient

Healthier

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Objectives of the WorkshopObjectives of the Workshop

• To help you:• burn wood SAFELY• burn wood more EFFICIENTLY• keep your family and community HEALTHY

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AgendaAgenda1. Stoves, Fireplaces and Central Heaters2. The new clean burn technologies3. The Chimney4. Safe Wood Heat Systems

Break5. Wood Smoke and Your Health6. Maintaining Your Wood Heating System7. Firewood8. How to Burn Without Smoke

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What is a renewable energy What is a renewable energy resource?resource?

• Hydro-electric• Solar power• Wind power• Biomass energy (wood)

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Graphic courtesy ICC/RSF

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The Appliance:The Appliance:StoveStove

Fireplace orFireplace orCentral HeaterCentral Heater

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Wood StovesWood Stoves

Conventional stoves are usually older and have no features to reduce smoke

Advanced technology EPA certified wood stoves burn cleanly and efficiently

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Conventional Wood StovesConventional Wood Stoves

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Advanced Wood StovesAdvanced Wood Stoves

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Pellet stovesPellet stoves

• A clean burning option

• Pellets are made from sawdust that is ground, dried and compressed

• These stoves can operate up to 24 hours unattended

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Conventional FireplacesConventional Fireplaces• Conventional masonry and conventional

factory-built fireplaces are not efficient and are not suitable for home heating

• They are also a source of air pollution

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Fireplace InsertsFireplace Inserts• A fireplace insert can transform a

conventional fireplace into an efficient heating system.

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High efficiency fireplacesHigh efficiency fireplaces

• Advanced technology fireplaces have the same combustion features as advanced wood stoves

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Masonry heatersMasonry heaters• A masonry heater is a low smoke, high

efficiency heating option

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Central HeatingCentral Heating

• Most wood furnaces and boilers are not clean burning and efficient

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Outdoor boilersOutdoor boilers• Their large, simple fireboxes make

clean burning difficult.

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Advanced Wood Burning Advanced Wood Burning TechnologyTechnology

Advanced technologies offer several advantages, including:

• Much higher efficiency

• Much less smoke pollution

• Greater safety because less creosote is formed

• Burn less wood for more heat

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Two types of advanced Two types of advanced combustion:combustion:

1. Catalytic• uses catalyst to clean up exhaust

2. Non-catalytic advanced• most common type in Canada

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Inside a catalytic wood stoveInside a catalytic wood stove

Smoke passes through a catalytic honeycomb that lowers smoke ignition temperature

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Inside a ‘non-cat’ wood stoveInside a ‘non-cat’ wood stove

1. Firebox insulation 2. A large baffle 3. Preheated combustion air

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Compare old with new:Compare old with new:

Overall Efficiency40 – 50% 60 – 80%

Graphic adapted from California EPA publications

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SaveSaveup to up to

one-thirdone-third

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A clean burning furnaceA clean burning furnace

• At least one EPA certified wood furnace is now available.

• If you want a central heating furnace, consider only an EPA certified model.

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A cleaner burning outdoor A cleaner burning outdoor boilerboiler

• A new generation of outdoor boilers recently became available.

• If considering an OB, choose only one that is EPA certified.

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When you shop for a wood When you shop for a wood burning appliance:burning appliance:

• Look for one that is EPA certified.

• Ask your dealer to show you advanced stoves and fireplaces.

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The ChimneyThe Chimney

Masonry Chimney

Metal Chimney

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Why outside chimneys are a Why outside chimneys are a big problem:big problem:

• Cold air flows down them, filling the house with smoke and odours.

• More restriction: at least two 90° changes of direction.

• Creosote forms faster.• The chimney parts cost

more.

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Inside chimneys work better Inside chimneys work better because:because:

• An inside chimney stays warm and always produces some draft, even when no fire burns.

• An inside chimney can be located above the appliance for a straighter system and better performance.

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The ideal: straight up!The ideal: straight up!

• Provides stronger, more stable draft

• Does not cold backdraft

• Less creosote formation

• Needs less maintenance

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Safe wood heat systemsSafe wood heat systems

• A Guide to Residential Wood Heating has an overview of wood heat safety rules.

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Codes contain Codes contain reliable rules for:reliable rules for:

• Floor pads• Single wall flue pipe• Double wall flue pipe• Appliance clearances• Clearance reduction

using shields

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For new or changed systems:For new or changed systems:

A building permit is mandatory• The permit will result in an inspection

Inform your insurance company• A new installation or change could change

your insurance policy• Check with your agent to ensure that you

will be covered

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Dispose of ashes safelyDispose of ashes safely

• Ashes can stay hot for days and emit carbon monoxide

• Put ashes in a steel bucket

• Store the bucket outside on concrete, not on a wooden deck or near firewood

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Think SafetyThink Safety

Smoke Detector

CarbonMonoxideDetector

FireExtinguisher

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Contact a professional!Contact a professional!

• Look for the logo.• Ask retailers, installers

and sweeps if they are WETT certified.

• Call 1-888-358-9388• Visit www.wettinc.ca

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BREAKBREAK

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The second half . . .The second half . . .

5. Wood Smoke and Your Health

6. Maintaining Your Wood Heating System

7. Firewood

8. How to Burn Without Smoke

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Wood smoke and your healthWood smoke and your health

• The spicy hint of wood smoke in the air might be pleasant . . .

BUT• Wood smoke is not healthy to breathe.• Everyone should avoid breathing wood

smoke• Especially children, the elderly and

those with respiratory ailments.

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Why you should not breathe Why you should not breathe wood smoke:wood smoke:

• Wood smoke, like all smoke, contains a number of toxic compounds

• Some are linked to increased cancer risk and other lung diseases

• Some make asthma and emphysema worse

• There is a clear link between breathing smoke and respiratory health

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How to avoid breathing wood How to avoid breathing wood smoke:smoke:

• Make sure your wood heating system is designed right and is in good shape

• Burn only seasoned wood

• Never let the fire smoulder

• Avoid opening the loading door on a full fire.

• Learn to burn without smoke.

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If you or someone in your family has If you or someone in your family has asthma, allergies or environmental asthma, allergies or environmental

sensitivities:sensitivities:

• Consider using other heating options.

• Be especially careful about wood smoke inside the house.

• Use only wood that is free of rot, mould and fungus.

• Bring only a small amount of wood into the house at a time.

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Do Burn Don’t BurnDo Burn Don’t Burn• Coated, painted or

pressure treated wood• Salt water driftwood• Plywood, particle

board or any wood with glue on or in it

• Household garbage• Cardboard and paper

products• Unseasoned wood

• Clean, seasoned firewood

• Just enough plain newspaper to get the fire started

• Commercial fire starters are usually ok

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Maintaining your wood Maintaining your wood heating systemheating system

• Every wood burning system should be cleaned and inspected at least once each year.

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Chimney cleaningChimney cleaning

• Some systems form large amounts of creosote quickly

• Others rarely need cleaning

• The only way to know is to check often

Clay tile full of creosote

Brush removing creosote

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Appliance maintenanceAppliance maintenance

• Check gaskets for looseness and wear

• Wood heating dealers carry a variety of gasket types

• Check door latches and hinges for fit and security

FirewoodFirewoodGood fuel is the

secret to efficiency

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A cord of firewoodA cord of firewood

• A full cord measures 4 feet by 4 feet by 8 feet or 128 cu. ft.

• At right are three “face” cords each measuring 4’ high by 8’ long by 16” wide, or 43 cu. ft. each or combined, one full cord.

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In early spring, the wood In early spring, the wood should be:should be:

1. Cut to length

2. Split to a variety of sizes, and

3. Stacked on rails to keep it off the ground

4. Just the top covered (or not covered)

To be ready for burning To be ready for burning in the fallin the fall

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Firewood Piece LengthFirewood Piece Length

East-westloading

North-southloading

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How to tell if wood is dryHow to tell if wood is dry

1. There are cracks in the end grain

2. The wood darkens with aging

3. A freshly split face feels warm and dry

4. Dry wood sounds hollow, wet wood sounds dull

5. Burn some: if it hisses, it is much too wet

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Reasons people burn wet Reasons people burn wet wood:wood:

1.Procrastination

2.Wishful Thinking

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What is the best wood to What is the best wood to burn?burn?

• All species have about the same heat energy per pound; the difference is in density

• Don’t demand only high value hardwoods like maple and oak; they may be too rare to burn

• Lower value, shorter lived species like birch and poplar make excellent firewood, but expect to pay less

• In Canada’s north people burn spruce and poplar yet manage to stay warm

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Moisture, mould & bugsMoisture, mould & bugs

• Don’t bring wet wood into the house because it can lead to serious moisture problems and promote mould growth

• Avoid rotted and mouldy firewood because it can cause allergic reactions and often doesn’t have much energy

• Stressed, diseased trees attract bugs and are often used for firewood; check for bugs and always store firewood off the ground

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Do Burn Don’t BurnDo Burn Don’t Burn• Coated, painted or

pressure treated wood• Salt water driftwood• Plywood, particle

board or any wood with glue on or in it

• Household garbage• Cardboard and paper

products• Unseasoned wood

• Clean, seasoned firewood

• Just enough plain newspaper to get the fire started

• Commercial fire starters are usually ok.

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Is there smoke coming from Is there smoke coming from your chimney?your chimney?

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Signs of Signs of poorpoorwood wood burning burning practicepractice

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How would you like to live downwind?

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How to burn without making How to burn without making smokesmoke

1. Burn hot, bright fires

2. Before loading, rake your coals

3. Burn in cycles

4. Use smaller loads in mild weather

5. Let the space cool a little before loading

6. Fire each load hot before turning down

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1. Burn hot, bright fires1. Burn hot, bright fires• Wood should be flaming until it is

reduced to charcoal

• Never let a fire smoulder because smouldering wastes wood and makes a lot of smoke and creosote

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2. Before loading, rake your coals2. Before loading, rake your coals• Remove ash frequently to provide room

for loading

• Rake the live coals from the back to the front of the firebox

• Place wood on and behind hot coals

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3. Burn in cycles3. Burn in cycles

• Don’t add one or two pieces an hour in an effort to produce steady heat output

• Wood burns best in cycles

• A cycle starts when wood is placed on and behind a raked coal bed

• A cycle ends when the load is reduced to the same sized coal bed

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4. Use smaller loads in mild 4. Use smaller loads in mild weatherweather

• In mild weather use several smaller pieces, not just fewer large pieces

• Put on less wood at a time than you would in cold weather

• Avoid long, smouldering fires

Small loadMild weather

Larger loadCold weather

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6. Fire each load hot6. Fire each load hot

• A new load cools the firebox, so it needs to be heated up again

• Open the air control fully• Let the wood burn brightly until it is

charred and the edges are glowing red• Only then should you reduce the air

setting, but not enough to put out the flames

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5. Let the space cool5. Let the space cool

• Ignore the fire until you notice the room, space or house cooling off

• Then add the right amount of wood to suit the conditions

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5 Ways to Control Heat 5 Ways to Control Heat OutputOutput

1. Fuel species: softer woods for mild weather

2. Load size: small load for mild weather3. Load configuration: loose, crisscross

for mild weather4. Load orientation: east-west for mild

weather5. Reduce the air supply

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Judge your progress, check Judge your progress, check your chimney!your chimney!

• You can judge your progress towards clean burning by looking up at your chimney

• A little smoke is normal just after loading• But a fire that is burning properly produces

little or no visible smoke from the chimney• Check the chimney and judge your progress!

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A Burn it Smart Summary:A Burn it Smart Summary:• Safer

• Good system design• Less smoke, less creosote• Get advice from a WETT pro

• More Efficient• Smouldering wastes fuel• Flaming fires release the wood’s energy• Advanced technologies are effective, convenient

• Healthier• Less chance of smoke in your house• Reduced pollution in your neighbourhood

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The Wood Heat Organization Inc. and

the woodpile

Please visit us!

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Thank you for attendingThank you for attending

Burn it Smart!