Wood Fuel - Heatilator BIR42-B Owner's Manual

M. Wood Fuel
Hardwood vs Softwood
Your fireplace performance depends on the quality of the
firewood you use.
• Seasoned wood contains about 8,000 BTUs per pound .
• Hard woods are more dense than soft woods.
• Hard woods contain 60% more BTUs than soft woods.
• Hard woods require more time to season, burn slower and
are harder to ignite.
• Soft woods require less time to dry, burn faster and are
easier to ignite.
• Start the fire with soft wood to bring the fireplace up to
operating temperature and to establish draft.
• Add hard wood for slow, even heat and longer burn
time.
Soft woods
• Douglas Fir
• Pine
• Spruce
• Cedar
• Poplar
• Aspen
• Alder
Moisture
WARNING! Risk of Fire!
• DO NOT burn wet or green wood.
• Wet, unseasoned wood can cause accumulation of
creosote.
The majority of the problems fireplace owners experience
are caused by trying to burn wet, unseasoned wood.
• Wet, unseasoned wood requires energy to evaporate the
water instead of heating your home, and
• Evaporating moisture cools your chimney, accelerating
formation of creosote.
10
Hard woods
• Oak
• Maple
• Apple
• Birch
Heatilator • Birmingham BIR42-B • 4059-681 • 11/11
Seasoned Wood
• Cut logs to size
• Split to 6 in. (152 mm) or less
• Air dry to a moisture content of around 20%
- Soft wood - about nine months
- Hard wood - about eighteen months
NOTICE: Seasoning time may vary depending on drying
conditions.
Storing Wood
Steps to ensure properly seasoned wood:
• Stack wood to allow air to circulate freely around and
through woodpile.
• Elevate wood pile off ground to allow air circulation
underneath.
• Smaller pieces of wood dry faster. Any piece over 6 in.
(152 mm) in diameter should be split.
• Wood (whole or split) should be stacked so both ends of
each peice are exposed to air. More drying occurs through
the cut ends than the sides.
• Store wood under cover to prevent water absorbtion
from rain or snow. Avoid covering the sides and ends
completely.
WARNING! Fire Risk! DO NOT store wood:
• in front of the fireplace.
• in space required for loading or ash removal.
Processed Solid Fuel Firelogs
Manufactured firelogs may be used with this fireplace.
Hearth & Home Technologies Inc. recommends the use of
UL Classified processed fuel firelogs. Follow the manufac-
turer's lighting and safety instructions.
Using firelogs may require more frequent chimney inspec-
tion and cleaning.
Do not poke or stir the logs while they are burning. Use
only firelogs that have been evaluated for the application in
manufactured fireplaces and refer to firelog warnings and
caution markings on packaging prior to use.