EPA-Certified Wood Stoves May Not Meet Your Health and Safety Standards

Many communities have provided financial incentives to replace wood stoves with EPA-certified models which produce less pollution. However, Undark found that some of these newer stoves may not meet EPA standards.

In a time of high energy costs, cities are looking for ways to reduce burning wood, particularly in areas where air quality is poor. Here are ten ways you can improve indoor air quality and get more heat from every log.

Efficiency

Wood stoves are among the most efficient ways to heat your house. Modern EPA certified wood stoves burn up logs quickly and produce less creosote than older models. This allows you to use a greater percentage of the potential energy generated by your fireplace in a shorter time and cut down on your heating bill by up to 30 percent. The efficiency of wood stoves grows over the lifetime of the stove when you use only seasoned hardwood.

Older wood stoves typically have efficiency of 50 percent or less. This means that carbon dioxide and smoke are released into the air, leading to losing half of the energy potential of the fire. Modern stoves boast efficiency of up to 85 percent or greater, which is comparable to the efficiency of oil and gas furnaces.

The higher efficiencies of wood stoves can be achieved by controlling the fuel, air, and combustion process. Wood stoves that have controlled airflow can slow the speed at which the flame moves through the wood, allowing gases to stay hot and burn completely.

Additionally, modern wood stoves can recycle the waste products of incomplete combustion into a new one that is more efficient in burning. This process is known as reburn and can increase wood stove burning efficiency by up to 10 percent.

Wood is also carbon-neutral which is a further benefit. The trees absorb carbon dioxide from the air as they are growing and release oxygen in return when they burn. Wood is a renewable resource for the environment, particularly when it comes from local woodlands, which are managed in a manner that encourages healthy tree growth.

Cleanliness

With 8.8 million households using wood stoves in the United States, cleaning and maintenance are an essential aspect of keeping your home warm. A dirty stove or flue pipe can lead to carbon monoxide and fire hazards. Clean stoves as well as flue pipes and chimneys are more efficient.

The most commonly-asked task with cleaning your wood stove is to empty the ashes. This is best done on a cool day, when the stove isn't as hot, and you should wear protective gloves when handling the ashes. Select a container made of metal that can hold all the ashes and then dispose of it outside away from anything that may ignite. You can also add the ashes to your compost pile for an excellent addition to your garden.

After the ashes have been removed from the stove, sweep the floor to eliminate any dust. It is also a great idea to put at least three feet between your wood stove, and any combustible things such as pillows or curtains. This will stop the spread of fire and burning the objects.

As for the inside of your stove, glass doors that are clean allow you to see of the flames dancing and help you know when it's time to begin a new fire. Make sure you have glass cleaner available to clean any smudged or tarred areas that may be present. Newspaper dipped in ash and water can be used to wash the glass if it is extremely filthy. Avoid scratching the glass as this can cause it to shrink and break when heated.

The accumulation of creosote within your chimney flue is one the main causes of chimney fires. A few millimeters of creosote can cause a fire to a chimney. Clean the flue frequently, especially when burning soft or pine woods produce more creosote.

To avoid creosote vapors entering your home, only burn seasoned and dry wood that has been cut in half or smaller. Never burn artificial garbage, logs, or other objects in your wood stove.

Safety

Wood stove burning can produce extremely toxic gases, such as carbon monoxide and particulates. These toxins can make their way into the home, and can have negative health effects on children, older adults, and those suffering from respiratory diseases such as COPD or asthma. As time passes exposure to wood smoke can cause heart disease and lung damage.

It is crucial to adhere to proper burning practices for wood stoves in order avoid these risks. This includes making sure that the stove is working properly and www.5829186.xyz; written by 5829186, that it has sufficient heat output to the size of the room and style. Additionally only dry, well-seasoned woods should be used in the stove. The moisture content should be less than 20 percent. If the moisture content is higher, it will burn more quickly and produce a more smoky fire, with more creosote accumulation on the chimney vent pipe walls.

Another important safety issue is to ensure that the stove has a good draw by observing the amount of air that flows through the firebox and the chimney. Modern stoves come with a variety of ways to alter the flow of air, and the owner's manual has documented the procedures. Correctly operating the air controls can achieve the highest heating efficiency.

The chimney and flue pipes must be kept free of fire-prone materials, 5829186; Www.5829186.xyz, such as drapes, papers, trash or rug. The wood stove fires are often caused by an inadequate clearance between combustibles, wood-burning appliances and combustibles.

Be sure to keep children away from wood stoves while the fire is burning or when the ashes are being removed. Children are naturally curious, and they might touch hot surfaces of a wood stove or place their hands in the flame. Install a childproof fence around the fireplace, or install a fireplace screen. In addition, it is essential to regularly inspect the fireplace and wood stove for signs of wear and tear.

Finally, it is essential to have your stove and chimney regularly inspected for the accumulation of creosote and bird nests, as well as other issues that could affect the safety of your chimney or stove. This will help prevent fires and health hazards, as well as reduce the need for smoke or carbon monoxide remediation services.

Maintenance

Wood stoves are an excellent way to save money on home heating, they do require some additional maintenance. If you don't perform the necessary maintenance on your wood stove, it could cause a fire that escapes the flue, a risky chimney fire, or a house fire. In addition to cleaning the chimney and cleaning the stove, you must to clean and sweep the stove's surfaces and flue. Keep a fire extinguisher at the counter and test it frequently. Smoke detectors are a great idea throughout the house, but especially in the room in which the stove is.

In general, you should clean the stove and chimney at least once per year. The schedule of cleaning should be altered depending on how often the stove is used. It may be necessary to clean it more frequently in winter. Only use dry and seasoned wood to burn in the stove. Avoid using a lot oil or kerosene to ignite the fire. These fuels could release toxic gasses and pose a danger to your health.

In the course of your regular cleaning and maintenance, be sure to inspect the gaskets of your doors. These are usually made of a braided material that can be damaged over time. If you notice that the gasket is loose and you need to replace it, buy a gasket made of fiberglass and some cement to fix it. Likewise, the hinges of these doors need to be inspected as well.

Chimneys and flues need to be inspected to ensure that they are free of creosote build-up and obstructions. During this inspection, you should look for cracks in the chimney liner and any other indications of damage. Stovepipes also need to be inspected, 5829186 and any dents should be repaired.

If you have a glass door on your wood stove, it's important to keep this clean. This can be accomplished quickly by mixing a solution of water and ammonia. The solution is then wiped onto the glass using either a sponge or rag. You can leave the solution for a few moments before wiping it again.