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

Many communities have offered financial incentives for replacing old wood stoves with EPA certified models that produce less pollutant. However, Undark found that some of these newer stoves may not meet EPA standards.

In the midst of rising energy prices, a lot of cities are looking for ways to reduce wood burning, especially in areas with poor air quality. Here are ten tips to improve the quality of indoor air and get more heat from every log.

Efficiency

Wood stoves are one of the most energy efficient methods to heat your house. Modern wood stoves that are EPA-certified burn logs fast and produce less smoke than older models. This lets you make use of a larger portion of the potential energy generated by your fireplace in a shorter time and lower your heating costs by up to 30 percent. When you only use well-seasoned wood the efficiency of wood stoves increases over the lifetime of the stove.

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

The higher efficiencies of wood stoves are made by controlling the air, 913875 fuel, and combustion process. Wood stoves that control the airflow are able to slow down how fast the fire moves through the wood and allow the gases that are produced to remain hot and combust completely.

In addition 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 referred to as reburn and can increase wood stove burning efficiency by up to 10 percent.

Another advantage of using wood as a source of heat is that it is considered carbon neutral. Trees absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere while growing and release oxygen in return when they burn. Wood is also an environmentally sustainable resource, particularly when it is obtained from local woodlands that are managed in a way that encourages the growth of healthy trees.

Cleanliness

With 8.8 million households using wood stoves in the United States, cleaning and maintenance are a crucial part of keeping the home warm. 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 common task associated with cleaning your wood stove is to empty the ashes. Wear protective gloves and wait until the stove has cool down. Select a container made of metal that will hold all of the ashes and dump it outside away from anything that could ignite. Alternately, 913875.xyz 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 important to leave at three 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.

A clean glass door that is placed on the interior of your stove will let you see the flames dancing, and 913875 it can also assist you in determining the best time to start a fresh fire. Make sure you have a glass cleaner on hand to clean any smudged or tarred areas that might be present. If the glass is very filthy you can make use of a newspaper that has been dipped in water and ash to clean it. 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. A few millimeters of creosote can cause a fire to a chimney. Clean the flue often particularly when burning pine or soft woods create more creosote.

Burn only seasoned, dry wood that has been cut in half or smaller. Also, do not burn fake garbage or logs in your wood stove.

Safety

Wood stoves are known to produce extremely harmful gases, including carbon monoxide and particulates. These harmful gases can be absorbed into the home, and have negative effects on the health of children, older adults, or those with respiratory ailments like COPD or asthma. As time passes exposure to wood smoke can cause heart disease and lung damage.

It is essential to adhere to the proper burning practices for wood stoves to reduce the risk. This includes making sure that the stove is functioning properly and that it has sufficient heat output for the space and design. Additionally only dry, well-seasoned hardwoods are allowed to be used in the stove. The moisture content of the firewood should be less than 20 percent. If the moisture content of the firewood is higher, the fire will burn faster and produce a smoky fire with more creosote buildup on the chimney vent pipe 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 to alter the flow of air in most modern stoves. The highest heating efficiencies can be achieved when control of the air flow is properly used.

The chimney and 913875 flue pipe should be free of combustible material, such as drapes, paper or trash. Insufficient clearance between combustibles as well as wood-burning appliances is the most common cause of fires in homes caused by wood stoves.

Be sure to keep children away from wood stoves while the fire is burning or when the ashes are being removed. Children are naturally curious, and might try to touch the hot surfaces of the wood stove or even put their hands into the flame. It is recommended to install a childproof gate around the fireplace or use the fireplace screen. It is also important to check the fireplace regularly and wood stove for signs of wear.

Lastly, it is important to have your stove and chimney professionally checked every year for the accumulation of creosote, bird nests and other issues that could affect the safety of your chimney or stove. This will reduce the risk of fires and health hazards and will also lessen the need for smoke or CO2 remediation services.

Maintenance

Wood stoves can be a great way to reduce your heating costs, but they do require a little more maintenance. If you don't take care of the necessary maintenance the wood stove could cause a fire that is dangerous to escape the flue or chimney, and even cause fire in your home. You should also clean the surfaces of the stove and flue. Keep an extinguisher on hand and test it often. It is also an excellent idea to place smoke detectors around the house particularly in the area with the stove.

In general it is recommended to clean the stove and chimney at least once per year. Cleaning schedules should be adjusted according to how often the stove is used. It is possible to clean it more frequently in winter. Also, make sure to make sure to use only dry and seasoned wood to burn in the stove. Avoid using a lot of oil or kerosene to start the fire. These fuels can release toxic gases and can be harmful to your health.

During your regular cleaning, you should check the gaskets on your doors. They are typically made of a braided material which can be damaged over time. If you notice that the gasket is loosened you can purchase a new fiberglass gasket and some gasket cement to repair it. Likewise, the hinges on these doors must be checked as well.

It is important to inspect flues and chimneys to ensure that they are free of obstructions and creosote. During the inspection, look for cracks and other signs of damage to the chimney lining. Stovepipes must be examined too, and any dents or gaps should be repaired.

If you have a glass door for your wood stove, it is essential to keep it clean. This can be done quickly by mixing a solution of water and 913875 ammonia. A rag or 913875 sponge should be soaked in the solution and wiped across the surface of the glass until it is clean. For more difficult staining, leave the solution on for a few minutes prior to wiping it off again.