As a natural product created by the energy of the sun, wood is
an ecologically sound source of energy. Wood burning is carbon
dioxide neutral, which means that wood produces the same amount of
carbon dioxide when left to rot as it does as when used to warm
your home. The only caveat is that the wood be burnt right, which
is a promise RAIS makes to you. However, coke, oil and gas
contribute to the dangerous greenhouse effect as they produce more
carbon dioxide when burnt to produce the same energy as
firewood.
Wood is a replenishable energy source, unlike coal and other
gaseous fuel, and is available in vast amounts today thanks to
various reforestation programs enforced around the world.
Firewood must be dry for efficient burning. The burning of damp
wood is harmful to the environment, the stove, the chimney, and
your enjoyment of your wood-burning stove.
Good combustion requires good heat and the art is to establish
as high a temperature in the stove as possible. High temperatures
produce clean combustion, a clear yellow flame without soot,
optimal burning and energy utilization of the firewood.
Six good tips for lighting a fire with wood
- Firewood must be dry when used for lighting a fire as damp wood
when burnt releases unclean smoke and covers the glass door of the
stove with soot. The water content of wood must be between 15-20%
only. If there is more water than that the stove does not burn the
wood effectively or efficiently.
The stove must be heated quickly with sufficient kindling as this
raises the temperature within the firebox leading to clean
combustion. The correct lighting of fire also ensures that the
stove reaches a good working temperature quickly. Please study the
manual that comes with your RAIS stove to understand how your
stove's advanced combustion system works and how you can light a
fire quickly and effectively.
Logs that are too large must not be used for burning as there must
be air between the wood and the walls of the firebox for proper
burning. Air in the firebox ensures that the wood can be heated and
burnt at the same time. For most RAIS stoves firewood logs must not
be longer than 30-33 cm, and should not be thicker than 6-8
cm.
There must not be too much firewood in the firebox as this hampers
proper combustion. When wood is heated it gives out gasses, which
requires air to be burnt and add to the flame in your stove. If
there is too much firewood in the stove it hinders the optimal air
supply. In which case the gasses do not burn and flow out of the
chimney as smoke. When combustion is optimal one can hardly smell
or see smoke come out of the chimney.
Firewood is best bought early and is most effective when stored
properly. Wood requires time to dry and it takes about two years
for wood after it has been cut to dry correctly. Since smaller
pieces of wood dry faster than larger ones, wood must be stored
after it is chopped in the appropriate size for your stove. Wood
must be stored in a place with air and sun where it is protected
from rain. Avoid covering the wood with plastic as this does not
let the wood dry by keeping the humidity within. Also, it is not
advisable to store wood indoors as there is a risk that the wood
may rot due to insufficient ventilation.
- Take the firewood inside your home two to three days before
using it to shock-dry the surface of the wood. It is also a good
idea to shake the wood and knock it against something hard before
bringing it inside your home to keep the bugs and insects on the
wood outside.
