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

Many communities have offered financial incentives to replace wood stoves with EPA-certified models that produce less pollution. But Undark found that some of these newer stoves may not meet EPA standards.

In the current climate of high energy costs, cities are trying to cut down on wood combustion, particularly in areas where air quality is low. Here are ten tips to improve the quality of indoor air and get more heat out of every log.

Efficiency

Wood stoves are one of the most efficient ways to heat your home. Modern wood stoves certified by the EPA burn logs quickly and generate less smoke than older models. This allows you to make use of a larger proportion of the energy from your fire in a shorter time and cut down on your heating bill by up to 30 percent. When you only use well-seasoned wood, the efficiency of wood stoves increases 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 potential energy in the fire is lost because carbon monoxide and smoke are released into the air. Modern stoves can boast an efficiency of 85% or more. This is comparable to oil and gas furnaces.

The higher efficiency of wood stoves can be achieved by controlling the air, fuel and combustion process. Wood stoves that control airflow can slow down the speed at which flame moves through the wood, and permit the gas that is produced to remain hot and fully combust.

Modern wood stoves are able to reuse the byproducts of incomplete combustion to create a new flame that produces more efficient combustion. This process, called reburn, can increase the efficiency of wood stoves by up to 10%.

Another advantage of using wood as a source of heat is that it is considered carbon neutral. When trees expand, they absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen when they are burnt. Wood is a sustainable resource for the environment, particularly when it is sourced from local woodlands, which are managed in a manner that encourages healthy tree growth.

Cleanliness

With 8.8 million households that use wood stoves in the United States, cleaning and maintenance are an essential element of keeping your home warm. A dirty flue pipe or stove could cause carbon monoxide to build up and create fire dangers. Clean stoves as well as flue pipes and chimneys are more efficient.

The most commonly-asked task with cleaning your wood stove is to empty the ashes. Wear protective gloves and wait until the stove has cooled down. Choose a metal container that will hold all of the ashes, and then dump it outside away from anything that may ignite. You can also put the ashes to your compost to create an excellent addition to your garden.

Once the ashes have gone out of the stove, it's an ideal time to sweep the floor and remove any residual dust. It is recommended to have at least 3 feet of space between your wood stove and any combustible materials like pillows, curtains or toys. This will stop a fire from spreading and burning the objects.

For the inside of your stove, a clean glass door allows you to enjoy a view of the dancing flames and will help you determine when it's time to start an all-new fire. Make sure you have a glass cleaning solution in your kitchen to clean any smudged or tarred areas. Newspapers dipped in water and ash can be used to wash the glass if it's extremely filthy. Be careful not to scratch the glass, because scratches can weaken the glass and shatter when it is heated.

Creosote accumulation on the inside of your flue is the primary cause of chimney fires. A few millimeters of creosote may cause a fire to the chimney. Clean the flue regularly, especially if you burn pine or other soft woods that create more creosote than other kinds of wood.

Burn only dry, seasoned wood that is split in half or smaller. Also, don't burn artificial wood or trash in your wood stove.

Safety

Wood stoves can release toxic gases such as carbon monoxide or particulates. These harmful gases can be absorbed into the home, and have negative health effects on young people, 913875 older adults, or people suffering from respiratory illnesses such as COPD or asthma. The exposure to wood smoke over time can cause heart disease and lead to lung damage.

It is essential to follow the correct burning techniques for wood stoves to avoid these dangers. This includes ensuring that the stove is operating correctly and has sufficient energy output to meet the dimensions and shape of the room. Only dry, well-seasoned and dry woods are suitable for burning in the stove. The firewood's moisture content must be less than 20%. If the moisture content is higher, it will burn more quickly and produce a smoky fire that has more creosote building up on the chimney vent pipe's walls.

A good draw is another essential safety feature. This can be achieved by monitoring how much air is flowing into the firebox as well as through the chimney. Modern stoves come with various ways to alter the flow of air, and the owner's manual has documented the procedures. Correctly operating the air controls can achieve the highest heating efficiency.

Additionally, the flue and chimney pipes should be free of fire-prone materials, such as drapes, paper, trash or carpets. 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 essential to keep children out of wood stoves while the flame is in progress or www.913875.Xyz when ashes are being removed. Kids are naturally curious and might try to touch the hot surfaces of a wood stove or place their hands into the fire. Install a child-proof fence around the fireplace, or install a fireplace screen. It is also important to check the fireplace and wood stove 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, www.913875.xyz; click here for info, bird nests and other problems that can affect the safety of your chimney or stove. This will help prevent fires and health hazards and will also reduce the need for CO2 or smoke remediation services.

Maintenance

Wood stoves are an excellent way to save money on home heating however, they require additional maintenance. If you do not do the necessary maintenance on your wood stove, it can result in a fire that escapes the flue, a risky chimney fire, or a house fire. 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. It is also a good idea to put smoke detectors around the house particularly in the area with the stove.

As a general rule, you should clean your stove and chimney at least once per year. The cleaning schedule is dependent on the amount that the stove is used, and it may need to be done more frequently during winter. Make sure to use only dry and seasoned wood for burning in the stove. Avoid using lots of oil or kerosene for starting the fire. These fuels could release toxic gases and can be harmful to your health.

You should inspect your door gaskets when you clean them regularly. They are typically made of rope-like braids that may degrade with repeated opening and closing. If you notice that the gasket is not sealing properly and requires to be replaced, purchase an alternative gasket seal made of fiberglass and adhesive. Also, the hinges on these doors should be checked as well.

It is essential to check chimneys and flues to make sure that they are free of creosote and obstructions. During the inspection, look out for cracks and other signs of damage to the chimney lining. Stovepipes must be examined too, and any holes or dents should be repaired.

It is important to clean the glass door of your wood stove. You can accomplish this by mixing water and ammonia. The solution should be applied to the glass using a rag or sponge. You can let the solution sit for a few minutes before wiping it over again.