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

Many communities have provided financial incentives to replace old wood stoves with EPA certified models that produce less pollutant. Undark discovered that some of the latest stoves may not meet EPA standards.

In these times of high energy prices, a lot of cities are seeking ways to cut down on burning wood, particularly in areas with poor air quality. Here are 10 ways to improve the indoor air quality, and extract more heat of each log.

Efficiency

Wood stoves are one of the most energy efficient methods to heat your home. Modern wood stoves that are EPA-certified burn logs quickly and generate less smoke than older models. This lets you use more energy into your fireplace and cut down on heating costs by up to 30%. If you use only wood that has been seasoned, the efficiency of wood stoves improves throughout the life of the stove.

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

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

Modern wood stoves can recycle the byproducts from incomplete combustion to create a new fire which burns more efficiently. This process is referred to as reburn and can improve wood stove burning efficiency by up to 10 percent.

Another benefit of using wood as a source of heat is that it is considered carbon neutral. Trees absorb carbon dioxide from the air while growing and release oxygen when they burn. Wood is also an eco-friendly resource, particularly when it comes from local woodlands that are managed in a manner that encourages the growth of healthy trees.

Cleanliness

With 8.8 million households using wood stoves in the United States, cleaning and maintenance are a crucial part of keeping the home warm. A dirty stove or flue pipe can cause carbon monoxide and fire hazards. Clean stoves as well as flue pipes and chimneys are more efficient.

The most frequent task associated with cleaning your wood stove is emptying the ashes. This is best done on a cool day when the stove isn't as hot, and you should wear gloves that are protective when handling the ashes. Choose a metal container that can hold all the ashes and dump it outside away from anything that may ignite. You can also put the ashes into your compost to create an organic addition to your garden.

While the ashes have been removed from the stove, Www.913875.Xyz you can sweep the floor to remove dust. It is also a great idea to leave at least three feet space between your wood stove, and any other combustible objects such as curtains or pillows. This will stop the fire from getting out of control and burning these things.

A clear glass door on the inside of your stove will let you see the dancing flames, and it can also help you determine when to start a fresh fire. Make sure you have glass cleaner available to get rid of any smudged or tarred areas that may be present. If the glass is extremely filthy, you can use newspaper dipped in water and ash to clean it. Avoid scratching the glass because this can cause it to shrink and break when heated.

Creosote accumulation on the inside of your flue is the primary cause of chimney fires. Creosote is extremely flammable, which is why any layer of even a few millimeters can cause an explosion in your chimney. Clean the flue often particularly in the event that burning pine or soft woods produce more creosote.

To ensure that creosote-free vapors do not enter your home, only burn seasoned and dry wood that has been cut in half or smaller. Also, don't burn artificial wood or trash in your wood stove.

Safety

Wood stoves can release extremely toxic gases, such as carbon monoxide and particulates. These toxins can enter your home and could have adverse health effects for children, elderly adults or those with respiratory conditions like asthma or COPD. As time passes, wood smoke exposure can cause lung damage and heart disease.

To prevent these risks to avoid these risks, it is vital to follow the proper wood stove burning practices. This includes ensuring the stove is functioning correctly and has the right heat output for the size and design of the room. Only dry, well-seasoned and dry woods are suitable for burning in the stove. The moisture content of the firewood should be less than 20 percent. If the moisture content of the firewood is higher, the fire will burn faster and produce an smoky flame with more creosote buildup on the chimney vent pipe's wall.

A strong draw is an essential safety feature. This can be accomplished by monitoring how much air is flowing into the firebox and through the chimney. The owner's guide will provide specific instructions on how you can adjust air flow in most modern stoves. Properly operating the air controls can achieve the highest efficiency of heating.

The flue pipe and chimney must be free of all combustible material, 913875.xyz such as drapes, trash or paper. Insufficient clearance between combustibles as well as wood-burning appliances is the most common cause of house fires caused by wood stoves.

It is also essential to keep children out of wood stoves when the fire is burning or when the ashes are being removed. Children are naturally curious, and they can touch hot surfaces on a wood stove or place their hands in the fire. Install a childproof fence around the fireplace, 913875.xyz or install a fireplace screen. It is also important to check the wood stove and fireplace often for signs of wear and tear.

It is also important to ensure that your chimney and stove are professionally inspected once per year for the accumulation of creosote and 913875.xyz bird nests, as well as other problems that can affect the safety of your chimney or stove. This will help avoid fires and health hazards as well as reducing the necessity for carbon monoxide remediation.

Maintenance

Wood stoves can be an excellent way to cut down the cost of heating, however they do require a little more maintenance. If you don't take care of the required maintenance on your wood stove, it could cause a fire that is dangerous to escape from the chimney or flue, 913875 and even cause a housefire. It is important to clean the surfaces of the stove and flue. It is also advisable to keep an extinguisher on hand and test it often. Smoke detectors are also beneficial throughout the house, but especially in the room in which the stove is.

As a general rule, you should clean your stove and chimney at least once a year. Cleaning schedules should be adjusted depending on how often the stove is used. It may be necessary to clean it more frequently in winter. You should also be sure to use only seasoned and dry wood to burn in the stove. It is recommended to avoid using lots of oil or kerosene for starting the fire, as these fuels burn differently and produce toxic gases that could be very harmful to your health.

It is recommended to check the gaskets in your door during your regular cleaning. They are typically made of rope-like braids that may be damaged by repeated closing and opening. If you find that the gasket is not sealing properly and requires to be fixed, purchase an alternative gasket made of fiberglass and adhesive. The hinges of these doors need to be examined as well.

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

If you have a glass door for your wood stove, it's crucial to keep it clean. This can be done quickly by mixing a solution of ammonia and water. A sponge or rag should be soaked with the solution and then wiped across the surface of the glass until it is clean. You can leave the solution for a few minutes before wiping it again.