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

Many communities have offered financial incentives for replacing old wood stoves with EPA certified models that emit less pollutant. But Undark found that some of these modern stoves might not be up to EPA standards.

In these times of high energy prices, a lot of cities are looking for ways to cut down on wood burning, especially in areas that have poor air quality. Here are 10 strategies to improve the indoor air quality, and to get more heat out of each log.

Efficiency

Wood stoves are one of the most energy-efficient ways to heat your home. Modern wood stoves certified by the EPA burn logs quickly and generate less smoke than older models. This makes it possible to burn a higher percentage of the potential energy from your fire in a shorter period of time and reduce your heating bills by as much as 30 percent. The efficiency of wood stoves grows over the lifetime of the stove if you only use seasoned hardwood.

Older wood stoves typically have efficiency of 50 percent or less. This means that a significant portion of the potential energy in the fire is lost when carbon monoxide and smoke are released into the air. Modern stoves boast efficiency of 85 percent or greater, which is comparable to the efficiency of oil and gas furnaces.

Wood stoves can be improved by controlling airflow, fuel, and www.913875.Xyz combustion processes. Wood stoves that control airflow can slow down the speed at which the flame moves through the wood and permit the gas that is produced to stay hot and combust completely.

Modern wood stoves can also recycle the byproducts from incomplete combustion to create a new fire that produces more efficient combustion. This process is called reburn, and can boost the efficiency of a wood stove by up to 10 percent.

Wood is also carbon neutral and carbon neutral, which is an additional benefit. When trees expand they absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen when burnt. Wood is also an eco-friendly resource, 913875.Xyz particularly if it is obtained from woodlands in the local area that are managed in a manner that encourages the growth of healthy trees.

Cleanliness

Cleaning and maintaining wood stoves is crucial to keeping homes warm. In the United States, 8.8 million households make use of wood stoves. A dirty flue pipe or stove can cause carbon monoxide and fire dangers. Clean stoves as well as flue pipes and chimneys are more efficient.

The most common task associated with cleaning your wood stove is emptying the ashes. This should be done on a day that is cool, when the stove is no longer hot, and you should wear protective gloves when handling the ashes. Choose a container made of metal that is that is large enough to accommodate all the ashes, then take them outside away from anything that could be able to ignite. You can also incorporate the ashes into your compost to create an organic addition to your garden.

Once the ashes have been removed from the stove, sweep the floor to remove any dust. It is also a good idea to leave at least three feet space between your wood stove and any other combustible objects like pillows or curtains. This will stop the fire from growing out of control and burning these things.

Regarding the interior of your stove, a clear glass door lets you to take a look of the flames dancing and help you know when it is time to begin an all-new fire. Make sure to have a glass cleaning solution available to remove any tarred or smudged areas. Newspapers dipped in water and ash can be used to clean the glass if it is extremely dirty. Be careful not to scratch the glass, because scratches can weaken the glass and cause it to shatter when it is heated.

The accumulation of creosote in your chimney flue is among the primary causes of chimney fires. Creosote can be extremely flammable, and a layer of even a few millimeters can cause the chimney to catch fire. Clean the flue frequently particularly if you burn pine or other soft woods that create more creosote than other types of wood.

To ensure that creosote-free vapors do not enter your home, only burn dry and seasoned wood that has been cut in half or smaller. Also, never burn artificial wood or trash in your wood stove.

Safety

Wood stoves are known to produce extremely toxic gases, such as carbon monoxide and particulates. These harmful gases can be absorbed into the home, and can have negative health effects for children, older adults, and those suffering from respiratory ailments like COPD or asthma. Smoke from wood over time can also cause heart disease and lead to lung damage.

It is crucial to adhere to proper burning techniques for 913875 wood stoves in order avoid these risks. This includes making sure that the stove is working correctly and has enough heat output to the size of the room and design. Additionally, only dry, well-seasoned hardwoods are allowed to be used in the stove. The firewood's moisture content must 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 build-up on the chimney vent pipe's walls.

A good draw is another important safety feature. This can be accomplished by monitoring how much air is flowing into the firebox and through the chimney. Modern stoves come with several options to regulate the flow of air and the owner's manual has documented the procedures. When you operate the air controls correctly, you can ensure the highest efficiency in heating.

Finally, 913875.Xyz the chimney and flue pipes must be free of combustible materials, including drapes, paper, or rug. Insufficient clearance between combustibles as well as wood-burning appliances is the most common reason for house fires caused by wood stoves.

Be sure to keep children away from wood stoves while the fire is burning or 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 flame. Install a childproof fence around the fireplace or use a fireplace screen. It is also important to examine the fireplace and wood stove frequently for signs of wear.

It is also important to have your chimney and stove professionally checked at least every year to check for creosote buildup, bird nests and other issues that may affect the safety of your stove. This will help prevent fires and health hazards and will also lessen the need for smoke or CO2 remediation services.

Maintenance

Wood stoves are an excellent way to cut down your heating expenses, but they need some additional maintenance. If you fail to do the necessary maintenance on your wood stove, it can result in a fire which escapes the flue, which could lead to a chimney fire, or even an unintentional house fire. It is also recommended to clean the surfaces of the stove and flue. You should also keep an extinguisher on hand and test it often. It's also an excellent idea to place smoke detectors in the house, especially one in the room that houses the stove.

In general, you should clean the chimney and stove every year. Cleaning schedules need to be adjusted according to how often the stove is used. It might be necessary to clean it more often in winter. Also, make sure to make sure you use only dry and 913875.Xyz well-seasoned wood to burn in the stove. Avoid using lots of oil or kerosene for starting the fire. These fuels can produce toxic gases and can be harmful to your health.

During your regular cleaning and maintenance, be sure to check the gaskets on your doors. They are typically made of rope-like braids which can become degraded with repeated opening and closing. If you find that the gasket is not tight you can purchase a new fiberglass gasket and some gasket cement to repair it. The hinges of these doors need to also be checked.

It is essential to check flues and chimneys to ensure that they are clear of obstructions and creosote. During this inspection, you should look for cracks in the chimney liner and any other indications of damage. Stovepipes must be examined as well and any holes or dents should be repaired.

It is crucial to clean the glass door of your wood stove. This can be accomplished quickly by mixing a solution of water and ammonia. The solution is then applied to the glass using an abrasive or sponge. For tougher staining, leave the solution on for a few minutes prior to wiping the glass again.