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

Many communities have offered incentives to purchase wood stoves with EPA-certified models that produce less polluting. But Undark found that some of these modern stoves may not meet EPA standards.

In an era of high energy costs, many cities are seeking to reduce wood combustion, particularly in areas in which air quality is poor. 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 efficient methods to heat your home. Modern EPA certified wood stoves burn up logs quickly and produce less creosote than older models. This lets you burn a higher 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 improves over the life of the stove if you use only seasoned hardwood.

Older wood stoves typically have efficiencies of 50 percent or less. This means that a significant portion of the potential energy generated by the fire is lost when carbon monoxide and smoke are released into the air. Modern stoves can have an efficiency of 85 percent or more. This is comparable to gas and oil furnaces.

The higher efficiencies of wood stoves are achieved by controlling the air, 5829186.Xyz fuel and combustion process. Wood stoves with controlled airflow can slow down the speed at which the flame moves through the wood, allowing gases to remain hot and burn completely.

In addition, modern wood stoves can recycle the byproducts from incomplete combustion into a new one that burns more efficiently. This process, referred to as reburn, can boost the efficiency of wood stoves up to 10%.

Wood is also carbon-neutral, which is another advantage. When trees grow, they absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen when burned. Wood is also an eco-friendly resource, particularly when it is obtained 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 essential aspect of keeping your home warm. A dirty stove and pipe could be a fire hazard, and could cause carbon monoxide poisoning. Clean stoves, chimneys and flue pipes are more efficient.

The removal of ashes is the most frequent task when cleaning your wood stove. Wear protective gloves and wait until the stove has cooled down. Choose a container made of steel that can hold all the ashes and dump it outside, away from anything that may ignite. You can also add the ashes to your compost to make an excellent addition to your garden.

Once the ashes have been removed from the stove, sweep the floor to get rid of any dust. It is important to leave at minimum 3 feet of space between your wood stove and any combustible items like pillows, curtains or toys. This will stop the spread of fire and burning the items.

For the inside of your stove a clean glass door allows you to enjoy a view of the flames dancing and can help you tell when it's time to begin an all-new fire. Ensure that you have glass cleaner available to clean any smudged or tarred areas that could be present. If the glass is very filthy you can make use of newspaper soaked in ash and water to wipe it down. Be careful not to scratch the glass because scratches can weaken the glass and cause it to shatter when it is heated.

Creosote buildup on the inside of your flue is the primary cause of chimney fires. Creosote is highly flammable, which is why an accumulation of just millimeters could cause the chimney to catch fire. Clean the flue frequently, especially if you burn pine or other soft woods that produce more creosote than other types of wood.

Burn only seasoned, dry wood that is split in half or smaller. Also, never burn artificial garbage or logs in your wood stove.

Safety

Wood stoves can emit toxic gases like carbon monoxide and particulates. These toxins can make their way into the home, and have negative health effects on young people, older adults, and those suffering from respiratory diseases such as COPD or asthma. Smoke from wood over time can cause heart disease and eventually lung damage.

It is essential to adhere to the proper burning techniques for wood stoves in order avoid these risks. This includes making sure the stove is functioning properly and has enough energy output to meet the dimensions and layout of the room. In addition, only dry, well-seasoned hardwoods should be burned in the stove. The moisture content of the wood should not exceed 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.

A well-drawn chimney is an additional essential safety feature. This can be accomplished by monitoring how much air is flowing into the firebox as well as through the chimney. The owner's guide will provide detailed instructions on how to alter the flow of air in most modern stoves. Properly operating the air controls can ensure the highest heating efficiency.

Additionally, the flue and chimney pipes should be free of fire-prone materials, such as drapes, paper, or carpets. The wood stove fires are usually caused by insufficient clearance between combustibles wood-burning appliances, and combustibles.

It is also important to keep children out of wood stoves when the fire is burning or while the ashes are being removed. Children are naturally curious, and they may touch the hot surfaces on a wood stove or place their hands in the flame. It is recommended to put up a child-proof barrier around the fireplace or use the fireplace screen. It is also important to check the fireplace regularly and wood stove for signs of wear and tear.

It is also crucial to ensure that your stove and chimney are professionally checked at least once per year to check for creosote buildup, bird nests, and other issues that could affect the safety of your stove. This will help prevent fires, health hazards and reduce the necessity for carbon monoxide remediation.

Maintenance

While wood stoves are an excellent way to save money on heating bills however, 5829186.xyz they require additional maintenance. If you don't take care of the required maintenance on your wood stove, it could result in a fire that escapes the flue, a risky chimney fire, or an unintentional house fire. In addition to sweeping the chimney and cleaning the stove, you must to clean and 5829186 sweep the surfaces in the stove and flue. Keep an extinguisher in your house and test it frequently. Smoke detectors are beneficial throughout the house, but particularly in the area where the stove is located.

As a rule you should clean the stove and chimney every year. Cleaning schedules should be adjusted according to how often the stove is used. It might be necessary to clean it more frequently in winter. Use only dry and seasoned wood to burn in the stove. Avoid using a lot oil or kerosene to start the fire. These fuels can produce toxic gases and be harmful to your health.

In the course of your regular cleaning it is important to examine the gaskets on your doors. These are often made from braided rope-like material that can become degraded with repeated opening and closing. If you notice that the gasket is loosened you can purchase a new fiberglass gasket and some gasket cement to fix it. Likewise, the hinges of these doors need to be inspected as well.

It is important to inspect chimneys and flues to ensure that they are free 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. A rag or sponge should be soaked in the solution and wiped across the surface of the glass until it is clean. For tougher stains, you can leave the solution in place for a couple of minutes before wiping again.