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 emit less pollution. However, Undark discovered that some of these more modern stoves may not be able to meet EPA standards.

In the midst of rising energy costs, cities are looking for ways to cut down on burning wood, particularly in areas that have poor air quality. Here are 10 ways to improve indoor air quality and extract more heat of each log.

Efficiency

Wood stoves are one of the most efficient ways to heat your home. Modern EPA certified wood stoves burn logs extremely quickly and Www.913875.Xyz produce less creosote than older models. This allows you to burn a higher proportion of the energy from your fire in a shorter amount of time and cut down on your heating bill by as much as 30 percent. When you only use wood that has been seasoned the efficiency of wood stoves increases over the lifetime of the stove.

Older wood stoves are efficient at 50 percent or less. This means that carbon dioxide and smoke are released into the air, which results in losing half of the energy potential in the fire. Modern stoves can boast an efficiency of 85% or more. This is similar to oil and gas furnaces.

The higher efficiency 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 fire moves through wood, allowing the gas produced to stay hot and completely burn.

Modern wood stoves are able to recycle the byproducts of incomplete combustion to create a new fire which produces more efficient combustion. This process, known as reburn, can increase the efficiency of wood stoves up to 10%.

Wood is also carbon neutral and carbon neutral, which is an additional benefit. Trees absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere while growing and release oxygen in return when they burn. Wood is also an environmentally sustainable resource, especially if it comes from woodlands in the local area 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 an important aspect of keeping your home warm. A dirty stove and flue pipe can pose a fire hazard and cause carbon monoxide poisoning. Clean chimneys, stoves and flue pipes are also more efficient.

The most common task associated with cleaning your wood stove is to empty the ashes. Wear protective gloves and wait until the stove has cooled down. Choose a container made of metal that is large enough to accommodate all the ashes, and then dump them in a safe place away from anything that might be able to ignite. Alternatively, you can add the ashes to your compost pile for a healthy addition to your garden.

While the ashes are out of the stove, it is the perfect time to sweep the floor and remove any residual dust. It is also a great idea to put at least three feet between your wood stove, and 913875.xyz any other combustible objects such as curtains or pillows. This helps to prevent the fire from growing out of control and burning these items.

As for the interior 913875 of your stove, a clean glass door 913875.Xyz allows you to enjoy a view of the dancing flames and help you know when it is time to light a new fire. Make sure to have a glass cleaning solution on hand in order to clean any smudged or tarred areas. Newspaper dipped into water and ash can be used to cleanse the glass if it's extremely filthy. Be careful not to scratch the glass since scratches can weaken glass and shatter when it is heated.

Creosote build-up on the inside of your flue is the primary cause of chimney fires. Creosote can be extremely flammable, and an accumulation of just a few millimeters can cause the chimney to catch fire. Clean the flue often especially when burning soft or pine woods produces more creosote.

Burn only dry, seasoned wood that has been cut in half or smaller. Never burn artificial logs, trash or other objects in your wood stove.

Safety

Wood stove burning can 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 on children, older adults, and those suffering from respiratory illnesses such as COPD or asthma. Exposure to wood smoke over time can cause heart disease and lead to lung damage.

It is essential to adhere to the proper wood stove burn practices to reduce the risk. This includes ensuring that the stove is functioning correctly and has sufficient power to heat the size and shape of the room. 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 faster and create a smokier fire, with more creosote accumulation on the chimney vent pipe's walls.

Another important safety issue is to ensure that the stove is operating at a high draw by observing the amount of air flowing through the firebox and the chimney. The owner's guide will provide specific instructions on how you can regulate air flow in the majority of modern stoves. The highest efficiency in heating can be achieved when air controls are properly operated.

The chimney and flue pipe must be free of materials that could ignite, including drapes, paper or trash. The wood stove fires are usually caused by inadequate clearance between combustibles, wood-burning appliances as well as combustibles.

It is also important to keep children away from wood stoves while the fire is burning or while ashes are being removed. Children are naturally curious, and they might touch hot surfaces on the 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 check the fireplace regularly and wood stove for signs of wear.

It is also essential to ensure that your stove and chimney are professionally inspected at least every year to look for creosote buildup, bird nests, and other issues that may affect the safety of your stove. This will help to prevent fires and health hazards, as well as reduce the necessity for carbon monoxide remediation.

Maintenance

While wood stoves are an excellent method of saving money on home heating however, they require additional maintenance. If you fail to perform the necessary maintenance on your wood stove, it can cause a fire that escapes the flue, a dangerous chimney fire, or even an unintentional house fire. You should also clean the surfaces of the stove and flue. It is also advisable to keep a fire extinguisher handy and test it often. It's also a good idea to put smoke detectors around the house particularly in the room that houses the stove.

As a rule you should clean the chimney and stove every year. The schedule for cleaning should be adjusted based on the amount that the stove is used, and may need to be done more frequently in winter. Make sure to use only dry and seasoned wood to use in the stove. It is advised to stay clear of using a lot of kerosene or oil for starting the fire, as these fuels have different burning patterns and generate toxic gases that can be very harmful to your health.

In the course of your regular cleaning it is important to examine the gaskets on your doors. They are typically made from a braided substance that may degrade over time. If you notice that the gasket is loose you can purchase a new gasket made of fiberglass as well as some gasket cement to repair it. The hinges of these doors should be examined as well.

It is crucial to examine flues and chimneys to ensure that they are clear of creosote and Www.913875.Xyz obstructions. During this inspection, look for cracks in the chimney liner as well as any other indications of damage. Stovepipes should be inspected too and any dents or gaps should be repaired.

If you have a glass door on your wood stove, it's crucial to keep it clean. You can easily do this by mixing water with ammonia. A sponge or rag must be saturated with the solution and 913875.xyz then wiped across the glass's surface until it is completely clean. You can leave the solution for a few minutes before wiping it over again.