Just my observations. I'm using a QuadraJet fireplace insert that uses outside air heat with, with a natural gas forced air furnace as back-up. Wood species is Red and White Oak. Cut 16" long, roughly 4"x 3" up to 6"x 6" in size cross section. The insert has a primary damper and a secondary damper that is supposed to be used to get the splits going, then closed or it will over fire the insert.
0 to 20 degrees outside. 10-20 mph winds. Chimney has just been cleaned. Air intake not obstructed.
Wood was cut/split/stacked on pallets, top was uncovered for the whole summer. The top was covered with a tarp and the tarp goes down the sides about 2'. Stacks are 6' tall by 10' long, two rows wide (32")
Stack #1 was cut/split/stacked the fall of 2013. Trees were dropped June 2013 and cut into 16" long rounds, and those rounds were stacked on top of each other, not covered.
Stack #2 was cut/split/stacked the fall of 2014. Trees were dropped June 2013 and cut into 16" long rounds, and those rounds were stacked on top of each other, not covered.
Burning from stack #1 keeps the house in the high 70's to low 80's with the primary damper open about 80% of the way. Coal/ash build up is minimal, splits burn completely and leave little coals. Ash and coal clean out is needed about every 4-5 days
Burning from stack #2 keeps the house in the low 70's to upper 60's with the primary damper open 100% of the way. Coal build up is approx. 300% greater, so much to the point of not being able to get enough splits in the insert to keep the natural gas furnace from kicking on when set at 67 degrees. Even using the secondary damper to add more air to the coals to get them to burn, the ash and coals have to be removed every other day to leave enough room for the splits.
Moral of the story? Make more room for wood storage. Pay attention to where I grab the splits from when bringing wood to the house........ Completely empty out a double wide row before starting to fill it up again with splits...........
0 to 20 degrees outside. 10-20 mph winds. Chimney has just been cleaned. Air intake not obstructed.
Wood was cut/split/stacked on pallets, top was uncovered for the whole summer. The top was covered with a tarp and the tarp goes down the sides about 2'. Stacks are 6' tall by 10' long, two rows wide (32")
Stack #1 was cut/split/stacked the fall of 2013. Trees were dropped June 2013 and cut into 16" long rounds, and those rounds were stacked on top of each other, not covered.
Stack #2 was cut/split/stacked the fall of 2014. Trees were dropped June 2013 and cut into 16" long rounds, and those rounds were stacked on top of each other, not covered.
Burning from stack #1 keeps the house in the high 70's to low 80's with the primary damper open about 80% of the way. Coal/ash build up is minimal, splits burn completely and leave little coals. Ash and coal clean out is needed about every 4-5 days
Burning from stack #2 keeps the house in the low 70's to upper 60's with the primary damper open 100% of the way. Coal build up is approx. 300% greater, so much to the point of not being able to get enough splits in the insert to keep the natural gas furnace from kicking on when set at 67 degrees. Even using the secondary damper to add more air to the coals to get them to burn, the ash and coals have to be removed every other day to leave enough room for the splits.
Moral of the story? Make more room for wood storage. Pay attention to where I grab the splits from when bringing wood to the house........ Completely empty out a double wide row before starting to fill it up again with splits...........