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

Many communities have provided incentives to purchase wood stoves with EPA-certified models that produce less polluting. But Undark found that some of these newer stoves may not meet EPA standards.

In these times of high energy prices, a lot of cities are looking for ways to reduce the use of wood, particularly in areas where air quality is poor. Here are ten ways you can improve indoor air quality and get more heat out of every log.

Efficiency

Wood stoves are among the most energy-efficient ways to heat your home. Modern EPA certified wood stoves burn logs extremely quickly and produce less creosote than older models. This makes it possible to use a greater percentage of the potential energy generated by your fireplace 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 will increase over the lifetime of the stove.

Older wood stoves generally have efficiencies of less than 50 percent. This means that half of the energy potential in the fire is lost because smoke and carbon monoxide are released into the atmosphere. Modern stoves can achieve efficiency of up to 85 percent or more, which is comparable to the efficiencies of gas and oil furnaces.

The higher efficiencies of wood stoves are made by controlling the fuel, air, and combustion process. Wood stoves that have controlled airflow can slow the speed at which the fire moves through wood, allowing gases to stay hot and www.913875.xyz burn completely.

Modern wood stoves can also reuse the byproducts of incomplete combustion to create a new fire that produces more efficient combustion. This process, referred to as Reburn, can improve the efficiency of wood stoves by as much as 10%.

Wood is also carbon neutral which is a further benefit. As trees expand they absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen when burnt. Wood is a renewable resource for the environment, especially 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 important part of keeping the home warm. A filthy stove or flue pipe can cause carbon monoxide and fire dangers. Clean stoves chimneys, flue pipes and stoves are more efficient.

Emptying the ashes is the most frequent task you can do when cleaning your wood stove. This should be done on a cool day when the stove is no longer hot and you must wear protective gloves when handling the ashes. Select a metal container that is large enough to hold all of the ashes, and then dump them outside away from anything that could be able to ignite. You can also incorporate the ashes to your compost to create a healthy addition to you garden.

After the ashes have been removed from the stove, sweep the floor to eliminate any dust. It is recommended to keep at three feet of space between your wood stove and any combustible items like pillows, curtains or toys. This will stop the spread of a fire and burning the objects.

A clear glass door on the inside of your stove will allow you to see the dancing flames, and can help you determine when to start a fresh fire. Make sure that you have a glass cleaner on hand to remove any smudged or tarred areas that may be present. Newspapers dipped in ash and water can be used to clean the glass if it is extremely filthy. Avoid scratching the glass as this could cause it to break or break when heated.

Creosote build-up on the inside of your flue is the primary cause of chimney fires. Creosote is extremely flammable, so a layer of even millimeters could cause a chimney fire. Clean the flue regularly, especially if you burn pine or other soft woods that produce more creosote than other kinds of wood.

To prevent creosote vapors from entering your home, only burn seasoned and dry wood that has been cut in half or smaller. Also, don't burn artificial wood or trash in your wood stove.

Safety

Wood stove burning can produce very toxic gases, including carbon monoxide and particulates. These toxins can enter your home and could have adverse health effects on older adults, children or people suffering from respiratory ailments such as asthma or 913875.Xyz COPD. Smoke from wood in the long run can lead to heart disease and lead to lung damage.

It is important to adhere to the proper burning techniques for wood stoves in order avoid these risks. This includes ensuring the stove is operating properly and has enough power to heat the size and layout 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 of the firewood is higher, the fire will burn more quickly and Www.913875.Xyz create a smoky fire with more creosote forming on the chimney vent pipe's wall.

Another crucial safety concern is ensuring that the stove has a good draw by observing the amount of air flowing into the firebox and through the chimney. The majority of modern stoves offer several options to regulate the flow of air, and the owner's manual has documented procedures. Properly operating the air controls can achieve the highest heating efficiency.

The chimney and flue pipe must be free of fire-prone materials, like drapes, paper or trash. Insufficient clearance between combustibles as well as wood-burning appliances is a major reason for 913875.xyz house fires caused by wood stoves.

Be sure to keep children out of wood stoves when the fire is burning or the ashes are being removed. Children are naturally curious and 913875.xyz they may touch the hot surfaces of the wood stove or put their hands in the fire. Install a childproof fence around the fireplace, or use a fireplace screen. Additionally, it is important to regularly inspect the fireplace and wood stove for signs of wear and tear.

It is also crucial to have your stove and chimney professionally checked at least every year to check for creosote buildup, Www.913875.Xyz bird nests, and other problems which can affect the safety of your stove. This will help prevent fires, health hazards and reduce the necessity for carbon monoxide remediation services.

Maintenance

While wood stoves are an excellent method of saving money on heating bills, they do require some additional maintenance. If you don't take care of the required maintenance the wood stove could cause a fire that is dangerous to escape from the chimney or flue or even start an explosion in your home. You should also clean the surfaces of the stove and flue. Keep a fire extinguisher in your desk and check it frequently. It's also recommended to install smoke detectors in the house particularly in the area with the stove.

In general it is recommended to clean the chimney and stove at least once per year. The frequency of cleaning is dependent on the amount that the stove is used, and it may be required to be done more frequently during winter. You should also be sure to use only seasoned and dry wood to use in the stove. It is advised to avoid using lots of kerosene or oil when starting the fire, since these fuels have different burning patterns and generate toxic gases that can be extremely detrimental to your health.

You should inspect your door gaskets during your regular cleaning. They are typically made from a braided substance that may become degraded over time. If you find that the gasket is not sealing properly and requires to be repaired, buy an alternative gasket made of fiberglass and adhesive. Also, the hinges on these doors should be checked as well.

It is crucial to examine chimneys and flues to make sure that they are clear of obstructions and creosote. During the inspection, look for cracks in the chimney liner and any other indications of damage. Stovepipes also need to be inspected and any damage should be repaired.

If you have a glass door on your wood stove, it's essential to keep it clean. This can be done quickly by mixing a solution of water and ammonia. The solution is then wiped onto the glass using either a sponge or rag. For more difficult staining, you can leave the solution on for a few minutes prior to wiping the glass again.