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 produce less polluting. Undark discovered that some of the more recent stoves may not be up to EPA standards.

In the midst of rising energy prices, many cities are looking for ways to cut down on burning wood, particularly in areas where air quality is poor. Here are 10 strategies 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 very quickly and produce less creosote compared to older models. This lets you burn more energy in your fire, and reduce heating costs by up to 30 percent. The efficiency of wood stoves increases over the lifetime of the stove if you use only wood that is seasoned.

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

The higher efficiency of wood stoves are made by controlling the fuel, air, and combustion process. Wood stoves with controlled airflow can slow down the speed at which the flame moves through wood, allowing gases produced to remain hot and fully burn.

Modern wood stoves are able to recycle the byproducts of incomplete combustion to create a new flame that burns more efficiently. This process is called reburn and can increase 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 develop, they absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen when they are burned. Wood is a sustainable resource for the environment, especially when it is sourced from local woodlands, which are managed in a way that promotes healthy tree growth.

Cleanliness

Cleaning and maintenance of 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 pose a fire hazard and cause carbon monoxide poisoning. Clean stoves, flue pipes and chimneys are more efficient.

Emptying the ashes is the most common task you can do when cleaning your wood stove. Wear gloves that are protective and www.913875.Xyz wait until the stove has cooled down. Choose a metal container that is big enough to accommodate all the ashes, and dump them outdoors away from anything that might cause a fire. Alternately, you can add the ashes to your compost for an excellent addition to your garden.

Once the ashes have been removed from the stove, you can sweep the floor to get rid of dust. It is also a great idea to put at least three feet between your wood stove and any other combustible objects such as curtains or pillows. This will prevent the spread of fire and burning the objects.

Regarding the inside of your stove a clear glass door lets you to enjoy a view of the flames dancing and can help you tell when it's time to light the fire again. Make sure you have a glass cleaner on hand to remove any tarred or smudged areas that might be present. Newspaper dipped in ash and 913875.xyz water can be used to wash the glass if it's extremely dirty. Be careful not to scratch the glass since scratches can weaken glass and shatter when it is heated.

Creosote accumulation on the inside of your flue is the primary cause of chimney fires. Creosote is extremely flammable, 913875 so a layer of even a few millimeters can cause an explosion in your chimney. Clean the flue often particularly when burning soft or pine woods create more creosote.

Burn only dry, seasoned wood that is split in half or smaller. Never burn fake 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 cause negative health effects on young people, older adults, and those suffering from respiratory diseases such as COPD or asthma. Exposure to wood smoke over time can also cause heart disease and lead to lung damage.

To prevent these risks It is crucial to follow the proper wood stove burning practices. This includes ensuring that the stove is functioning properly and that it has enough heat output for the space and style. Additionally, only dry, well-seasoned woods should be used in the stove. The moisture content should be below 20 percent. If the moisture content of the firewood is higher, the fire will burn faster and produce smoke that is smoky and has more creosote forming on the chimney vent pipe's wall.

A strong draw is an important safety feature. This can be achieved by monitoring how much air is circulating through the firebox and through the chimney. The owner's manual will give specific instructions on how you can alter the flow of air in most modern stoves. The best efficiency of heating can be achieved when air controls are operated correctly.

The flue pipe and chimney should be free of fire-prone materials, like drapes, paper or trash. The fires that occur in wood stoves are often caused by an inadequate clearance between combustibles wood-burning appliances as well as combustibles.

It is also important to keep children out of wood stoves while the flame is in progress or when ashes are being removed. Kids are naturally curious and may want to touch the hot surfaces of a wood stove, or put their hands in the flame. It is recommended to install a child-proof gate around the fireplace, or make use of a fireplace screen. It is also essential to check the fireplace and stove often for signs of wear and tear.

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

Maintenance

Wood stoves are a great way to reduce the cost of heating, however they require some extra maintenance. If you don't do the necessary maintenance on your wood stove, it could result in a fire which escapes the flue, a dangerous chimney fire, or an unintentional house fire. You should also clean the surfaces of the stove and flue. Keep a fire extinguisher in hand and test it regularly. It's also an excellent idea to place smoke detectors in the house particularly in the room that houses the stove.

In general, you should clean your chimney and stove at least once a year. The schedule for cleaning is dependent on how often the stove is used, and www.913875.xyz it may be required to be done more frequently during winter. Only use dry and seasoned wood to use in the stove. Avoid using lots of oil or kerosene for starting the fire. These fuels can release toxic gasses and pose a danger to your health.

You should check the gaskets on your door at the time of your regular cleaning. They are typically made of rope-like braids that may be damaged by repeated opening and closing. If you notice the gasket is loose and needs to be fixed, purchase an alternative gasket seal made of fiberglass and adhesive. The hinges on these doors must be checked as well.

Chimneys and flues need to be examined to ensure that they are free of creosote accumulation and obstructions. During the inspection, look for cracks, and other indications of damage to the chimney lining. Stovepipes need to be checked too, and any holes or dents must be fixed.

It is essential to clean the glass door of your wood stove. It is easy to do this by mixing water with ammonia. The solution should be applied to the glass with an abrasive or sponge. For tougher staining, leave the solution in place for a couple of minutes before wiping again.