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 pollutant. But Undark found that some of these modern stoves may not be able to meet EPA standards.

In a time of high energy prices, many cities are looking for ways to cut down on the use of wood, particularly in areas where air quality is poor. Here are ten things you can do to improve the quality of indoor air and get more heat from every log.

Efficiency

Wood stoves are one of the most efficient ways to heat your house. Modern wood stoves certified by the EPA burn logs quickly and generate less smoke than older models. This allows you to use a greater portion of the potential energy generated by your fireplace in a shorter time and reduce your heating bills by up to 30 percent. If you only use well-seasoned wood the efficiency of wood stoves will increase over the life of the stove.

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

Wood stoves can be made more efficient by controlling airflow combustion, fuel, and processes. Wood stoves that have controlled airflow can slow the speed at which the flame moves through wood, allowing gases to remain hot and fully burn.

Additionally modern wood stoves are able to recycle the waste products of incomplete combustion into a new fire that is more efficient in burning. This process is called reburn and can improve the efficiency of wood stoves by up to 10 percent.

Wood is also carbon-neutral which is a further benefit. The trees absorb carbon dioxide from the air while growing and release oxygen in return when they are burned. 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

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

The most frequent task associated with cleaning your wood stove is to empty the ashes. This is best done on a day that is cool, when the stove is no longer hot, and 913875 you should wear gloves that are protective when handling the ashes. Select a container made of metal that will hold all of the ashes, and then dump it outside away from anything that could burn. You can also add the ashes to your compost to make an organic addition to your garden.

When the ashes have been cleared of the stove, it is the perfect time to sweep the floor and sweep up any residual dust. It is important to have at least 3 feet of space between your wood stove and any combustible materials like pillows, curtains or toys. This prevents the fire from growing out of control and burning these things.

As for the interior of your stove, glass doors that are clean allow you to see of the dancing flames and will help you determine when it is time to begin an all-new fire. Make sure that you have glass cleaner available to get rid of any smudged or tarred areas that might be present. Newspapers dipped in ash and water 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 cause it to shatter when the glass is heated.

Creosote accumulation on the inside of your flue is a major cause of chimney fires. Creosote is extremely flammable, which is why a layer of even millimeters could cause a chimney fire. Clean your flue often particularly if you burn pine or other soft woods that produce more creosote than other types of wood.

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

Safety

Wood stoves can release toxic gases like carbon monoxide or particulates. These toxins enter the home and can have negative health effects on young people, older adults or people suffering from respiratory ailments like asthma or COPD. In time exposure to wood smoke may cause lung damage and heart disease.

To prevent these risks, it is essential to follow the proper wood stove burning practices. This includes ensuring the stove is working properly and has enough power to heat the size and layout of the room. Only dry, well-seasoned hard woods are suitable for burning in the stove. The moisture content should not exceed 20%. If the moisture content of the wood is higher the fire will burn more quickly and create an smoky flame with more creosote on the chimney vent pipe's wall.

Another crucial safety concern is ensuring that the stove is operating at a high draw by monitoring the amount of air flowing through the firebox and the chimney. The owner's guide will provide specific instructions on how to alter the flow of air in most modern stoves. Correctly operating the air controls can ensure the highest efficiency of heating.

The flue pipe and chimney must be free of combustible material, such as drapes, paper or trash. A lack of clearance between combustibles and wood-burning appliances is a leading reason for house fires caused by wood stoves.

It is also essential to keep children away from wood stoves while the flame is burning or while ashes are being removed. Children are naturally curious and they can touch hot surfaces of a wood stove or place their hands on the fire. It is recommended to install a childproof gate around the fireplace or to use a fireplace screen. It is also essential to check the wood stove and fireplace often for signs of wear.

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

Maintenance

Although wood stoves are an excellent way to save the cost of heating your home but they also require additional maintenance. If you don't perform the required maintenance, your wood stove can cause a dangerous fire to escape from the chimney or flue, and even cause an explosion in your home. In addition to sweeping the chimney and cleaning the stove, it is essential to sweep and clean the surfaces in the stove and flue. It is also advisable to keep an extinguisher on hand and test it often. Smoke detectors are beneficial throughout the house, but particularly in the area in which the stove is.

As a general rule it is recommended to clean your chimney and stove at least once per year. The schedule for cleaning can be altered based on the amount that the stove is used, and may be required to be done more frequently in winter. Use only dry and seasoned wood to use in the stove. It is recommended to stay clear of using a lot of oil or kerosene for beginning the fire, because these fuels burn differently and can generate toxic gases that can be harmful to your health.

In the course of your regular cleaning and maintenance, be sure 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 loose and needs to be fixed, purchase a new fiberglass seal and some gasket adhesive. The hinges of these doors should be inspected as well.

Chimneys and flues need to be examined to ensure that they are free of creosote build-up and obstructions. During the inspection, look for 913875.xyz cracks, and other indications of damage to the chimney lining. Stovepipes need to be checked too, and 913875.xyz any gaps or dents need to be filled.

If you have a glass door for your wood stove, it is crucial to keep it clean. This can be accomplished quickly by mixing a solution of ammonia and water. A sponge or rag must be soaked in the solution, then wiped over the glass's surface until it is completely clean. For tougher staining, leave the solution in place for a few minutes before wiping the glass again.