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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. Undark discovered that some of the more recent stoves may not be up to EPA standards.

In a time of high energy costs, cities are seeking ways to reduce burning wood, particularly in areas with poor air quality. Here are 10 ways you can improve indoor air quality and get more heat powered wood stove fan out of every log.

Efficiency

Wood stoves are one of the most efficient ways to heat your home. Modern EPA certified wood stoves burn logs very quickly and produce less creosote than previous models. This lets you use more energy into your fireplace and cut down on heating expenses by up to 30%. If you use only well-seasoned wood, the efficiency of wood stoves will increase throughout the life of the stove.

Older wood stoves are efficient at 50 percent or less. This means that carbon dioxide and smoke are released into the air, which results in a loss of half the energy potential in the fire. Modern stoves can boast an efficiency of 85 percent or more. This is comparable to gas and oil furnaces.

Wood stoves can be improved by controlling the airflow, fuel, and combustion processes. Wood stoves that control the airflow can slow down the speed at which flame moves through the wood and permit the gases produced to remain hot and combust completely.

In addition, modern wood stoves can recycle the byproducts of incomplete combustion into a new one that is more efficient in burning. This process, known as reburn, can boost the efficiency of wood stoves by up to 10 percent.

Wood is also carbon neutral which is a further benefit. Trees absorb carbon dioxide from the air as they are 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 that are managed in a way that promotes healthy tree growth.

Cleanliness

With 8.8 million households that use wood stoves in the United States, cleaning and maintenance are an essential part of keeping the home warm. A dirty stove and flue pipe can pose a fire hazard and cause carbon monoxide poisoning. Clean chimneys, stoves and flue pipes are also more efficient.

Cleaning the ashes is the most common task when cleaning your wood stove. Wear gloves that are protective and wait until the stove has cool down. Choose a container made of steel that will hold all of the ashes and then dispose of it outside, away from anything that may ignite. You can also incorporate the ashes into your compost for a healthy addition to you garden.

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

For the interior of your stove, glass doors that are clean allow you to take a look of the dancing flames and will help you determine when it is time to start an all-new fire. Make sure to have a glass cleaner available to get rid of any smudged or tarred areas. Newspaper dipped in water and ash can be used to wash the glass if it's extremely dirty. Be careful not to scratch the glass, because scratches can weaken the glass and cause it to shatter when the glass is heated.

Creosote buildup on the inside of your flue is the primary cause of chimney fires. Creosote can be extremely flammable, and any layer of even one millimeter can trigger the chimney to catch fire. Clean the flue regularly particularly in the event that burning soft or pine woods produces more creosote.

Burn only dry, seasoned wood that has been cut in half or smaller. Also, don't burn artificial logs or trash in your wood stove.

Safety

Wood stoves are known to produce extremely harmful gases, including carbon monoxide and particulates. These toxins can enter the home and cause negative health effects for children, older adults, or people suffering from respiratory illnesses such as COPD or asthma. Over time, wood smoke exposure can cause heart disease and lung damage.

To avoid these risks It is crucial to adhere to the correct wood stove burning procedures. This includes making sure the stove is working correctly and has the right heat output for the size and shape of the room. Additionally only dry, well-seasoned woods should be burned in the stove. The moisture content of the firewood must be less than 20 percent. If the moisture content is higher, it will burn faster and create a smokier fire, with more creosote accumulation on the chimney vent pipe walls.

A good draw is another important safety feature. This can be achieved by monitoring the amount of air that is circulating through the firebox as well as through the chimney. Most modern stoves have several options to regulate the flow of air, and the owner's manual contains procedures. Properly operating the air controls can ensure the highest efficiency in heating.

Finally, the chimney and flue pipes must be kept clear of any fire-prone materials, such as drapes, paper, trash or rug. A lack of clearance between combustibles and wood-burning appliances is the most common reason for house fires caused by wood stoves.

Keep children away from wood stoves when the fire is burning or 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. Install a childproof fence around the fireplace, or install a fireplace screen. It is also crucial to inspect the wood burning stove small stove and fireplace often for signs of wear.

Lastly, it is important to have your electric stove fireplace and chimney regularly inspected for the accumulation of creosote, bird nests and other issues that could affect stove and chimney safety. This will help prevent fires and health hazards, and also reduce the necessity for CO2 or smoke remediation services.

Maintenance

Wood stoves are a great way to reduce your heating expenses, but they need some additional maintenance. If you do not perform the necessary maintenance on your wood stove, it could result in a fire that escapes the flue, which could lead to a chimney fire, or an unintentional house fire. It is also recommended to clean the surfaces of the multi burner stove and flue. You should also keep an extinguisher on hand wood stove burning and test it regularly. It's also an excellent idea to place smoke detectors in the house, especially one in the room with the stove.

In general it is recommended to clean your stove and chimney at least once a year. The schedule of cleaning should be altered depending on how often the stove is used. It is possible to clean it more frequently in winter. Also, make sure to make sure you use only dry and well-seasoned wood for burning in the stove. It is recommended to stay clear of using a lot of kerosene or oil when starting the fire, as these fuels have different burning patterns and produce toxic gases that could be very dangerous to your health.

During your regular cleaning and maintenance, be sure to examine the gaskets on your doors. They are typically made of rope-like braids that may become degraded with repeated closing and opening. If you find that the gasket is loosened, purchase a replacement gasket made of fiberglass as well as some gasket cement to fix it. The hinges of these doors need to be inspected as well.

It is crucial to examine chimneys and flues to make sure that they are free of obstructions and creosote. During this inspection, you should look for cracks in the chimney liner as well as any other signs of damage. Stovepipes should be inspected too and any dents or gaps must be fixed.

If you have a glass door for your wood stove, it is essential to keep it clean. You can do this by mixing water and ammonia. The solution is then applied to the glass with an abrasive or sponge. For tougher staining, leave the solution in place for a few minutes before wiping it off again.