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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 pollution. However, Undark discovered that some of these more modern stoves may not meet EPA standards.

In a time of high energy prices, a lot of cities are looking for ways to reduce wood burning, especially in areas that have poor air quality. Here are ten tips to improve the quality of your indoor air and gain more heat out of every log.

Efficiency

Wood stoves are one of the most energy-efficient ways to heat your house. Modern EPA certified wood stoves burn logs very quickly and produce less creosote than older models. This makes it possible to burn a higher proportion of the 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 life of the stove.

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

The higher efficiency of wood stoves are made by controlling the multi fuel stove, air and combustion process. wood stoves - Www.cheap-delicious.com, that regulate the airflow are able to slow down the speed at which the fire is moving through the wood and allow the gas that is produced to remain hot and completely combust.

Modern small wood burning stoves stoves are able to reuse the byproducts of incomplete combustion to create a new fire which produces more efficient combustion. This process, called reburn, can boost the efficiency of wood stoves by up to 10%.

Another benefit 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 when they are burned. Wood is a renewable resource for the environment, especially when it comes from local woodlands managed in a manner that encourages healthy tree growth.

Cleanliness

Cleaning and maintenance of wood burning stoves stoves is important for keeping homes warm. In the United States, 8.8 million households utilize wood stoves. A dirty flue pipe or stove can cause carbon monoxide and fire hazards. Clean stoves, chimneys and flue pipes are also more efficient.

The removal of ashes is the most frequent task to do when cleaning your wood stove. Wear protective gloves and wait until the stove has cool down. Choose a metal container that can accommodate all of the ashes, and then dump it outside, away from anything that may ignite. Alternatively, you can add the ashes to your compost for a healthy addition to your garden.

After the ashes have been removed from the stove, sweep the floor to remove dust. It is also a great idea to leave at least three feet space between your wood stove and any other combustible objects such as curtains or pillows. This will prevent the spread of a fire and burning the items.

For the interior of your stove, glass doors that are clean allow you to take a look of the flames dancing and help you know when it is time to begin an all-new fire. Be sure to have a glass cleaning solution on hand in order to remove any tarred or smudged areas. If the glass is extremely filthy it is possible to use newspaper dipped in ash and water to clean it. Avoid scratching the glass since this could cause it to weaken and break when heated.

Creosote build-up on the inside of your flue is the primary cause of chimney fires. Creosote is highly flammable, which is why an accumulation of just a few millimeters can cause an explosion in your chimney. Clean the flue regularly particularly if you burn pine or other soft woods that generate more creosote than other kinds of wood.

Burn only seasoned, dry wood that has been split in half or smaller. Also, never burn artificial garbage or logs in your wood stove.

Safety

Wood stoves are known to produce very toxic gases, including carbon monoxide and wood stoves particulates. These harmful gases can be found in the home and may have negative health effects for children, elderly adults or those with respiratory conditions like asthma or COPD. As time passes exposure to wood smoke may cause lung damage and heart disease.

It is essential to adhere to proper burning techniques for wood stoves to reduce the risk. These include ensuring that the stove is functioning properly and that it has enough heat output for the room size and style. In addition, only dry, well-seasoned woods should be used in the stove. The moisture content of the wood must be less than 20 percent. If the moisture content is higher, it will burn faster and produce a smoky fire with more creosote build-up on the chimney vent pipe walls.

Another important safety issue is ensuring that the stove is operating at a high draw by observing the amount of air that flows into the firebox and through the chimney. Most modern stoves have several options to regulate the flow of air and the owner's manual includes procedures. Properly operating the air controls will ensure the highest heating efficiency.

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

Be sure to keep children out of wood stoves when the fire is burning or when the ashes are being removed. Children are naturally curious and they may touch the hot surfaces on the wood stove or put their hands in the fire. It is recommended to set up a child-proof gate around the fireplace or employ the fireplace screen. Additionally, it is important to check the fireplace regularly and wood stove for signs of wear.

Lastly, it is important to ensure that your chimney and stove are professionally checked every year for the accumulation of creosote as well as bird nests and other issues that can impact the safety of your chimney and stove. This will help to prevent fires and health hazards as well as reducing the need for carbon monoxide remediation services.

Maintenance

Although wood stoves are an excellent method of saving money on home heating however, they require additional maintenance. If you don't perform the necessary maintenance on your wood stove, it could cause a fire that is dangerous to escape the flue or chimney, and even cause a housefire. In addition to sweeping the chimney and cleaning the stove, you need to clean and sweep the stove's surfaces and flue. Keep a fire extinguisher in hand and test it regularly. Smoke detectors are also a great idea throughout the house, but particularly in the area where the stove is located.

As a rule you should clean the chimney and stove at least once per year. Cleaning schedules need to be adjusted according to how often the stove is used. It is possible to clean it more frequently in winter. Make sure to use only dry and seasoned wood to burn in the stove. It is recommended to stay clear of using a lot of kerosene or oil for starting the fire, since these fuels burn differently and produce toxic gases that could be detrimental to your health.

In the course of your regular cleaning it is important to inspect the gaskets of your doors. They are typically made from a braided material that can be damaged over time. If you find that the gasket is loosened you can purchase a new gasket made of fiberglass and some cement to repair it. The hinges of these doors must be inspected as well.

Chimneys and flues should be inspected to ensure that they are free of creosote accumulation and obstructions. During this inspection, you should look for cracks in the chimney liner and any other signs of damage. Stovepipes should also be examined and any dents must be repaired.

It is essential to clean the glass door of your wood stove. You can do this by mixing water with ammonia. The solution should be applied to the glass using either a sponge or rag. For more difficult staining, you can leave the solution in place for a few minutes before wiping again.