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

Many communities have provided financial incentives to replace 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 current climate of high energy costs, many cities are trying to cut down on the use of wood, especially in areas where air quality is poor. Here are ten ways you can improve the quality of your indoor air and gain more heat from every log.

Efficiency

Wood stoves are among the most efficient ways to heat your home. Modern EPA certified wood stoves burn logs extremely quickly and produce less creosote compared to older models. This allows you to burn more of the energy in your fire, and reduce heating expenses by as much as 30%. If you only use well-seasoned wood, the efficiency of wood stoves will increase over the lifetime of the stove.

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

Wood stoves can be made more efficient by controlling the airflow, fuel, and combustion processes. Wood stoves with controlled airflow can slow down the speed at which the fire moves through the wood, allowing gases produced to stay hot and completely burn.

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

Another benefit of using wood as a source for heat is that it is considered carbon neutral. Trees absorb carbon dioxide from the air while growing and release oxygen in return when they burn. Wood is also an eco-friendly resource, especially if it comes from local woodlands that are managed in a way that encourages the growth of healthy trees.

Cleanliness

Cleaning and maintenance of wood stoves is important for keeping homes warm. In the United States, 8.8 million households utilize wood stoves. A dirty stove and flue pipe can pose a fire hazard and cause carbon monoxide poisoning. Clean stoves as well as flue pipes and chimneys are more efficient.

The most commonly-asked task with cleaning your wood stove is emptying the ashes. This should be done on a day that is cool, when the stove is no longer hot and you must wear gloves that are protective when handling the ashes. Choose a metal container that can accommodate all of the ashes and dump it outside away from anything that may ignite. You can also add the ashes to your compost for an excellent addition to your garden.

While the ashes have been removed from the stove, sweep the floor to eliminate any dust. It is recommended to keep at least 3 feet of space between your wood stove and any combustible items like pillows, curtains or toys. This will stop the fire from growing out of control and burning these things.

For the interior of your stove, a clear glass door lets you to enjoy a view of the flames dancing and help you know when it's time to light an all-new fire. Make sure to have a glass cleaner in your kitchen to get rid of any tarred or smudged areas. If the glass is very filthy it is possible to use newspaper dipped in ash and water to clean it. 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. A tiny amount of creosote could cause a fire in a chimney. Clean the flue frequently particularly if you are burning pine or other soft woods that create more creosote than other types of wood.

To prevent creosote vapors from entering your home, only burn dry and seasoned wood that has been 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 effects on the health of children, 913875.xyz elderly adults, or those with respiratory diseases such as COPD or asthma. The exposure to wood smoke in the long run can lead to heart disease and cause lung damage.

To prevent these risks, it is essential to adhere to the correct wood stove burning practices. This includes making sure the stove is working correctly and has the right heat output for the size and shape of the room. In addition, only dry, well-seasoned woods should be used in the stove. The firewood's moisture content must be less than 20 percent. If the moisture content of the wood is higher, the fire will burn more quickly and create a smoky fire with more creosote buildup on the chimney vent pipe's wall.

Another important safety issue is ensuring that the stove has a good draw by observing the amount of air flowing into the firebox and through the chimney. The owner's manual will give specific instructions on how you can regulate air flow in the majority of modern stoves. The best efficiency of heating can be achieved if the air controls are properly operated.

Additionally, the chimney and flue pipes must be kept free of material that could ignite, such as drapes, paper, trash or rug. The fires that occur in wood stoves are usually caused by insufficient clearance between combustibles wood-burning appliances and combustibles.

Be sure to keep children away from wood stoves while the fire is burning or when ashes are being removed. Children are naturally curious, and may want to touch the hot surfaces of a wood stove or put their hands in the fire. Install a childproof fence around the fireplace, or use a fireplace screen. It is also important to inspect the wood stove and fireplace frequently for signs of wear.

Finally, it is essential to have your stove and chimney regularly inspected for accumulation of creosote as well as bird nests and other issues that could affect the safety of your chimney and stove. This will prevent fires and Www.913875.Xyz health hazards and also reduce the need for smoke or CO2 remediation services.

Maintenance

Wood stoves are a great way to save the cost of heating your home but they also require additional maintenance. If you do not perform the necessary maintenance the wood stove could cause a dangerous fire to escape the flue or Www.913875.Xyz chimney or even start an explosion in your home. In addition to cleaning the chimney and cleaning the stove, you need to clean and sweep the stove's surfaces and flue. Keep a fire extinguisher at hand and test it regularly. Smoke detectors are also beneficial throughout the house, but especially in the room where the stove is located.

As a rule, 913875 you should clean the chimney and stove once a year. The cleaning schedule should be adjusted based on how often the stove is used, and may require more frequently in winter. It is also important to 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 when beginning the fire, because these fuels burn differently and can create toxic gases that can be dangerous to your health.

When you clean your house regularly, you should inspect the gaskets of your doors. They are typically made of braided rope-like material that can become degraded with repeated opening and closing. If you notice the gasket is not sealing properly and requires to be repaired, 913875.xyz buy a new gasket seal made of fiberglass and adhesive. The hinges of these doors need to also be checked.

Chimneys and flues must be inspected to ensure that they are free of creosote build up and obstructions. During the inspection, check for cracks, and other indications of damage in the chimney lining. Stovepipes should be inspected as well, and any dents or gaps must be fixed.

It is essential to clean the glass door of your wood stove. This can be accomplished easily by using a mixture of water and ammonia. The solution is then wiped onto the glass using an abrasive or sponge. For tougher stains, you can leave the solution on for a couple of minutes before wiping it off again.