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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 pollution. Undark discovered that some of the newer stoves may not be up to EPA standards.

In these times of high energy prices, many cities are looking for ways to cut down on burning wood, www.913875.xyz (www.913875.Xyz) particularly in areas with poor air quality. Here are 10 ways you can improve the quality of indoor air and get more heat from every log.

Efficiency

Wood stove burning is one of the most efficient ways to heat your home. Modern EPA certified wood stoves burn logs very quickly and produce less creosote than previous models. This lets you burn a higher portion of the potential energy of your fire in a shorter amount of time and lower your heating costs by as much as 30 percent. The efficiency of wood stoves grows over the lifetime of the stove when you only use seasoned hardwood.

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

Wood stoves can be more efficient by controlling airflow combustion, fuel, and processes. Wood stoves with controlled airflow can slow the speed at which the flame moves through wood, allowing the gas produced to stay hot and burn completely.

In addition, modern wood stoves are able to recycle the byproducts of incomplete combustion into a new fire that burns more efficiently. This process, known as reburn, can increase the efficiency of wood stoves by up to 10 percent.

Wood is also carbon neutral, which is another advantage. Trees absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere while growing and release oxygen in return when they burn. Wood is a renewable resource for the environment, particularly when it is sourced from local woodlands, which are managed in a way that promotes healthy tree growth.

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 filthy stove or flue pipe can lead to carbon monoxide and fire dangers. Clean stoves, chimneys and flue pipes are more efficient.

Cleaning the ashes is the most common task when cleaning your wood stove. Wear protective gloves and wait until the stove has cooled down. Choose a metal container that can hold all the ashes and dump it outside, away from anything that could burn. You can also add the ashes to your compost for an organic addition to your garden.

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

A clear glass door inside of your stove will let you see the dancing flames and can help you determine when to start a fresh fire. Make sure you have glass cleaner available to remove any tarred or smudged areas that may be present. Newspapers dipped in water and ash can be used to wash the glass if it is extremely dirty. Avoid scratching the glass since this can cause it to weaken and break when heated.

Creosote build-up on the inside of your flue is the primary cause of chimney fires. A few millimeters of creosote may cause a fire to a chimney. Clean your flue often particularly if you burn pine or other soft woods that generate more creosote than other types of wood.

Burn only dry, seasoned wood that has been split in half or smaller. Also, don't burn artificial garbage or logs in your wood stove.

Safety

Wood stoves are known to produce extremely harmful gases, including carbon monoxide and particulates. These harmful gases can be absorbed into the home, and can have negative health effects on children, older adults, and those suffering from respiratory illnesses such as COPD or asthma. Over time exposure to wood smoke may cause heart disease and lung damage.

It is important to adhere to the proper burning techniques for wood stoves to reduce the risk. This includes ensuring that the stove is operating properly and that it is able to produce enough heat for the space and design. In addition only dry, well-seasoned hardwoods are allowed to be burned in the stove. The moisture content of the wood should be less than 20%. If the moisture content is higher, it will burn faster and produce a smoky fire, with more creosote accumulation on the chimney vent pipe's walls.

Another important safety issue is to ensure that the stove has a sufficient draw by observing the amount of air flowing into the firebox and through the chimney. Modern stoves come with several options to alter the flow of air and the owner's manual includes the procedures. The highest efficiency in heating can be achieved when control of the air flow is properly used.

The chimney and flue pipes must be kept clear of any material that could ignite, such as drapes, paper, or rug. The fires that occur in wood stoves are usually caused by inadequate clearance between combustibles, wood-burning appliances and combustibles.

It is also important to keep children out of wood stoves while the fire is burning or while the ashes are being removed. Kids are naturally curious and might try to touch the hot surfaces of a wood stove, or put their hands in the fire. Install a child-proof fence around the fireplace, or install a fireplace screen. It is also crucial to inspect the fireplace and wood stove often for signs of wear and tear.

Lastly, it is important to ensure that your chimney and stove are professionally inspected once per year for accumulation of creosote as well as bird nests and other issues that can impact the safety of your chimney and stove. This will help avoid fires, health hazards and reduce the necessity for carbon monoxide remediation.

Maintenance

Wood stoves are a great way to reduce your heating expenses, but they do require a little more maintenance. If you fail to take care of the required maintenance on your wood stove, it could result in a fire which escapes the flue, which could lead to a chimney fire, or an unintentional house fire. In addition to cleaning the chimney and cleaning the stove, it is essential to sweep and clean the stove's surfaces and flue. Keep a fire extinguisher on your desk and check it frequently. Smoke detectors are a great idea throughout the house, but particularly in the room where the stove is.

As a general rule it is recommended to clean your chimney and stove at least once a year. The cleaning schedule should be adjusted based on how often the stove is used, and it may require more frequently in winter. Use only dry and seasoned wood to use in the stove. It is best to stay clear of using a lot of kerosene or oil for starting the fire, since these fuels burn differently and can create toxic gases that can be extremely dangerous to your health.

You should inspect your door gaskets at the time of your regular cleaning. These are often made from rope-like braids that may be damaged by repeated closing and opening. If you notice the gasket is loose and needs to be repaired, buy an alternative fiberglass seal and some gasket adhesive. The hinges of these doors must be inspected as well.

Chimneys and flues must be examined to ensure that they are free of creosote build-up and obstructions. During the inspection, look out for cracks or other signs of damage to the chimney lining. Stovepipes must also be inspected, and any dents should be fixed.

If you have a glass door on your wood stove, it is essential to keep it clean. This can be accomplished quickly by mixing a solution of ammonia and water. A sponge or rag should be saturated with the solution and wiped across the glass's surface until it is completely clean. For tougher stains, you can leave the solution in place for a few minutes before wiping it off again.