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. Undark discovered that some of the newer stoves may not meet EPA standards.

In the midst of rising energy prices, a lot of cities are seeking ways to cut down on burning wood, 5829186 particularly in areas where air quality is poor. Here are 10 ways to improve indoor air quality and extract more heat of each log.

Efficiency

Wood stoves are one of the most energy-efficient ways to heat your home. Modern EPA certified wood stoves burn logs extremely quickly and produce less creosote than previous models. This lets you use more of the energy in your fire, and reduce heating costs by up to 30%. When you only use seasoned hardwood, the efficiency of wood stoves will increase over the life of the stove.

Older wood stoves usually have efficiency of 50 percent or less. This means that half of the potential energy in the fire is lost because smoke and carbon monoxide are released into the atmosphere. Modern stoves can boast an efficiency of up to 85 percent or more. This is comparable to oil and gas furnaces.

Wood stoves can be more efficient by controlling the airflow, fuel, and combustion processes. Wood stoves that regulate the airflow can slow down the speed at which the fire moves through the wood and allow the gas that is produced to remain hot and combust completely.

Additionally modern wood stoves can recycle the byproducts of incomplete combustion into a fresh fire that is more efficient in burning. This process is called reburn, and can boost wood stove burning efficiency by as much as 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 sustainable resource for the environment, particularly when it is sourced from local woodlands, which are managed in a way that encourages healthy tree growth.

Cleanliness

With 8.8 million households that use wood stoves in the United States, cleaning and maintenance are an important part of keeping the home warm. A dirty stove and pipe can be a fire hazard, and could cause carbon monoxide poisoning. Clean stoves chimneys, flue pipes and stoves are more efficient.

The most frequent task associated with cleaning your wood stove is emptying the ashes. This is best done on a day that is cool, when the stove is no longer hot, and you should wear gloves to protect yourself when handling the ashes. Choose a container made of steel that can accommodate all of the ashes and then dispose of it outside, away from anything that could ignite. Alternately, you can add the ashes to your compost pile for an organic addition to your garden.

While the ashes have been removed from the stove, you can sweep the floor to get rid of dust. It is also a good idea to keep at least 3 feet of space between your wood stove and any other combustible objects like curtains, pillows or toys. This will prevent a fire from spreading and burning the objects.

For the inside of your stove, glass doors that are clean allow you to enjoy a view of the dancing flames and can help you tell when it is time to light the fire again. Make sure that you have glass cleaner in your kitchen to remove any smudged or tarred areas that might be present. Newspaper dipped in ash and water can be used to cleanse the glass if it's extremely dirty. Avoid scratching the glass because this can cause it to break or break when heated.

Creosote buildup on the inside of your flue is a major cause of chimney fires. Creosote can be extremely flammable, and a layer of even a few millimeters can cause an explosion in your chimney. Clean the flue often, especially if burning soft or pine woods create more creosote.

To ensure that creosote-free vapors do not enter your home, only burn dry, seasoned wood that has been split in half or smaller. Never burn artificial garbage, logs, or other items in your wood stove.

Safety

Wood stoves can emit toxic gases like carbon monoxide or particulates. These toxins can enter your home and may have negative health effects for children, elderly adults or people suffering from respiratory ailments like asthma or COPD. Smoke from wood over time can also cause heart disease and 5829186.Xyz eventually lung damage.

It is important to adhere to proper burning techniques for wood stoves to avoid these dangers. This includes ensuring that the stove is operating correctly and has sufficient power to heat the size and design of the room. In addition, 5829186 only dry, well-seasoned hardwoods should be burned in the stove. The moisture content should not exceed 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 walls.

Another important safety issue is to ensure that the stove has a good draw by monitoring the amount of air that flows into the firebox and through the chimney. The majority of modern stoves offer a variety of ways to regulate the flow of air and the owner's manual has documented procedures. The best efficiency of heating can be achieved when air controls are operated correctly.

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

It is also essential to keep children away from wood stoves when the fire is burning or when ashes are being removed. Kids are naturally curious and might try to touch the hot surfaces of the wood stove or even place their hands into the flame. Install a childproof fence around the fireplace or use a fireplace screen. It is also crucial to examine the wood stove and fireplace often for signs of wear.

It is also crucial 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 also lessen the necessity for CO2 or smoke remediation services.

Maintenance

While wood stoves are an excellent way to save the cost of heating your home but they also require additional maintenance. If you don't take care of the required maintenance the wood stove could cause a fire that is dangerous to escape the flue or chimney and could even trigger a housefire. In addition to cleaning the chimney and cleaning the stove, you must to clean and sweep the stove's surfaces and flue. You should also keep an extinguisher in your house and test it often. It's also recommended to install smoke detectors in the house, especially one in the room that houses the stove.

In general, you should clean the chimney and stove once a 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. Make sure to use only dry and seasoned wood to use in the stove. It is advised to avoid using lots of kerosene or oil for starting the fire, as these fuels burn differently and 5829186.Xyz produce toxic gases that could be detrimental to your health.

You should inspect your door gaskets when you clean them regularly. They are typically made of a braided material which can become degraded over time. If you find that the gasket is loose you can purchase a new gasket made of fiberglass and some cement to repair it. Likewise, the hinges on these doors should be checked as well.

It is important to inspect chimneys and flues to ensure that they are free of obstructions and creosote. During the inspection, look out for cracks or other signs of damage to the chimney lining. Stovepipes should be inspected as well and any gaps or dents must 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 must be soaked with the solution and then wiped across the glass's surface until it is completely clean. It is possible to leave the solution for a few moments before wiping it over again.