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

Many communities have offered financial incentives to replace old wood stoves with EPA-certified models that emit less pollution. Undark discovered that some of the latest stoves may not meet EPA standards.

In the current climate of high energy costs, cities are seeking to reduce wood combustion, especially in areas where air quality is poor. Here are 10 tips to improve the quality of indoor air and get more heat from each log.

Efficiency

Wood stoves are one of the most efficient methods to heat your home. Modern EPA certified wood stoves burn logs very quickly and produce less creosote than previous models. This makes it possible to use a greater portion of the potential energy of your fire in a shorter amount of time and reduce your heating bills by as much as 30 percent. The efficiency of wood stoves also increases over the lifetime of the stove when you use only wood that is seasoned.

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

The higher efficiencies of wood stoves can be achieved by controlling the air, fuel, and combustion process. Wood stoves that have controlled airflow can slow the speed at which the flame moves through wood, allowing the gases produced to remain hot and fully burn.

Modern wood stoves can also reuse the byproducts of incomplete combustion to create a new fire that is more efficient in burning. This process, known as reburn, can increase the efficiency of wood stoves by up to 10 percent.

Another advantage of using wood as a source for heat is that it is considered carbon neutral. 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 comes from local woodlands, which are managed in a way that encourages healthy tree growth.

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 flue pipe or stove can cause carbon monoxide and fire hazards. Clean stoves, flue pipes and chimneys are more efficient.

The most common task associated with cleaning your wood stove is to empty the ashes. Wear gloves that are protective and wait until the stove has cooled down. Select a metal container big enough to hold all the ashes, and dump them in a safe place away from anything that might burn. Alternatively, you can add the ashes to your compost pile for an excellent addition to your garden.

While the ashes have been removed from the stove, you can sweep the floor to eliminate any dust. It is important to have at minimum 3 feet of space between your wood stove and any combustible materials like pillows, curtains or toys. This will stop the fire from getting out of control and burning these things.

For the inside of your stove glass doors that are clean allow you to see of the dancing flames and can help you tell when it is time to light the fire again. Make sure you have a glass cleaner on hand to clean any smudged or tarred areas that could be present. Newspaper dipped into water and ash can be used to cleanse the glass if it is extremely dirty. Be careful not to scratch the glass since scratches can weaken glass and cause it to shatter when it is heated.

Creosote buildup on the inside of your flue is the primary cause of chimney fires. A few millimeters of creosote may cause a fire to a chimney. Clean the flue often particularly when burning pine or soft woods create more creosote.

To prevent creosote vapors from entering your home, you should only burn dry and seasoned wood that has been cut in half or smaller. Also, don't burn artificial logs or Www.913875.Xyz (Https://Www.913875.Xyz/S99Y1-R5Uxh-N72-P2Wfe-Dk8Z-1742/) trash in your wood stove.

Safety

Wood stoves can release extremely toxic gases, such as carbon monoxide and particulates. These harmful gases can be found in the home and may have negative health consequences for young people, older adults or those suffering from respiratory issues like asthma or COPD. Exposure to wood smoke over time can cause heart disease and lead to lung damage.

It is essential to adhere to the proper wood stove burn practices to avoid these dangers. This includes ensuring the stove is working correctly and has the right power to heat the size and design of the room. Only dry, well-seasoned hard woods should be burnt in the stove. The moisture content should be below 20 percent. If the moisture content is higher, it will burn faster and produce a more smoky fire that has more creosote building up on the chimney vent pipe's walls.

Another crucial safety concern is ensuring that the stove has a good draw by observing the amount of air that flows into the firebox and through the chimney. Most modern stoves have several options to alter the flow of air and the owner's guide has documented the procedures. The highest heating efficiencies can be achieved when air controls are operated correctly.

Additionally, the flue and chimney pipes must be kept free of material that could ignite, such as drapes, papers, trash or carpets. The wood stove fires are often caused by an insufficient clearance between combustibles wood-burning appliances as well as combustibles.

It is also essential to keep children away from wood stoves when the fire is burning or while the ashes are being removed. Children are naturally curious, and they may touch the hot surfaces on a wood stove or place their hands in the flame. It is recommended to set up a child-proof gate around the fireplace, Www.913875.xyz or employ the fireplace screen. It is also important to examine the fireplace and stove frequently for signs of wear and Www.913875.xyz tear.

It is also essential to have your chimney and stove professionally inspected 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 avoid fires and health hazards, as well as reduce the need for carbon monoxide remediation services.

Maintenance

Wood stoves are a great way to save money on home heating, they do require some additional maintenance. If you do not take care of the required maintenance on your wood stove, it can cause a fire that escapes the flue, a risky chimney fire, or a house fire. It is important to clean the surfaces of the stove and flue. You should also keep a fire extinguisher handy and test it frequently. It's also recommended to install smoke detectors around the house particularly in the area with the stove.

In general, you should clean the chimney and stove every year. The schedule for cleaning should be adjusted based on how often the stove is used, and it may need to be done more frequently during winter. Only use dry and seasoned wood to burn in the stove. It is advised to stay clear of using a lot of kerosene or oil when beginning the fire, because these fuels have different burning patterns and generate toxic gases that can be very detrimental to your health.

When you clean your house regularly it is important to inspect the gaskets of your doors. They are typically made from a braided material that can become degraded over time. If you notice that the gasket is loosened, purchase a replacement gasket made of fiberglass and some cement to repair it. The hinges of these doors need to also be checked.

Chimneys and flues need to be examined to ensure that they are free of creosote build up and obstructions. During the inspection, look for cracks or other signs of damage in the chimney lining. Stovepipes need to be checked as well and any gaps or dents need to be filled.

If you have a glass door on your wood stove, it's crucial to keep it clean. You can easily do this by mixing water and ammonia. A rag or sponge should be saturated with the solution, then wiped over the surface of the glass until it is clean. It is possible to leave the solution for a couple of minutes before wiping it over again.