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

Many communities have offered financial incentives to replace wood stoves with EPA-certified models which produce less pollution. Undark discovered that some of the latest stoves might 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 things you can do to improve the quality of indoor air and get more heat from every log.

Efficiency

Wood stoves are among the most energy efficient methods to heat your house. Modern EPA certified wood stoves burn logs very quickly and produce less creosote compared to older models. This makes it possible to use a greater percentage of the potential energy from your fire in a shorter time and lower your heating costs by as much as 30 percent. If you only use seasoned hardwood, the efficiency of wood stoves improves throughout the life of the stove.

Older wood stoves usually have efficiencies of less than 50 percent. This means that half of the potential energy generated by the fire is lost when carbon monoxide and 913875 (www.913875.xyz) smoke are released into the air. Modern stoves can boast an efficiency of up to 85 percent or more. This is comparable to oil and gas furnaces.

Wood stoves can be made more efficient by controlling the air, fuel, and www.913875.xyz (www.913875.xyz) combustion processes. Wood stoves that regulate the airflow can slow down the speed at which fire moves through the wood and allow the gases produced to stay hot and fully combust.

Modern wood stoves can recycle the byproducts of incomplete combustion to create a new fire which produces more efficient combustion. This process is referred to as reburn and can improve the efficiency of wood stoves by as much as 10 percent.

Wood is also carbon-neutral which is a further benefit. When trees grow they absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen when burned. Wood is also an eco-friendly resource, particularly when it is obtained from woodlands in the local area that are managed in a way that encourages the growth of healthy trees.

Cleanliness

Cleaning and maintaining wood stoves is important for keeping homes warm. In the United States, 8.8 million households utilize wood stoves. A filthy stove or flue pipe can lead to carbon monoxide and fire hazards. Clean chimneys, stoves and flue pipes are more efficient.

The most common task associated with cleaning your wood stove is emptying the ashes. This is best done on a cool day when the stove isn't as hot and you must wear gloves to protect yourself when handling the ashes. Choose a metal container that is that is large enough to hold all the ashes, and dump them in a safe place away from anything that might cause a fire. You can also add the ashes to your compost for an excellent addition to your garden.

Once the ashes have gone out of the stove, it's the perfect time to sweep the floor and vacuum up any residual dust. It is important to keep at three feet of space between your wood stove and any combustible items like curtains, pillows or toys. This will stop the fire from getting out of control and burning these items.

A clean glass door that is placed on the inside of your stove will let you see the dancing flames, and can aid you in determining when to light a new fire. Make sure you have glass cleaner available to get rid of any tarred or smudged areas that could be present. Newspaper dipped in ash and water can be used to cleanse the glass if it is extremely dirty. Avoid scratching the glass because this could cause it to break or break when heated.

The accumulation of creosote in your chimney flue is one the primary causes of chimney fires. Creosote can be extremely flammable, so a layer of even one millimeter can trigger a chimney fire. Clean the flue frequently particularly in the event that burning pine or soft woods produce 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 can release very toxic gases, including carbon monoxide and 913875.xyz particulates. These toxins can make their way into the home, and have negative health effects on children, older adults, or those with respiratory diseases such as COPD or asthma. The exposure to wood smoke over time can also cause heart disease and eventually lung damage.

It is important to adhere to the proper burning practices for wood stoves in order avoid these risks. This includes ensuring that the stove is working correctly and has sufficient energy output to meet the dimensions and shape of the room. Only dry, well-seasoned, hard woods should be burned 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 with more creosote build-up on the chimney vent pipe's walls.

A well-drawn chimney is an additional essential safety feature. This can be accomplished by observing how much air is circulating through the firebox as well as through the chimney. Most modern stoves have several options to alter the flow of air and the owner's guide has documented the procedures. When you operate the air controls correctly, you can achieve the highest efficiency in heating.

The chimney and flue pipes must be kept clear of any fire-prone materials, such as drapes, paper, trash or rug. The fires that occur in wood stoves are often caused by an inadequate clearance between combustibles wood-burning appliances, and combustibles.

It is also important to keep children away from wood stoves while the fire is burning or while the ashes are being removed. Children are naturally curious, and might try to touch the hot surfaces of a wood stove, or put their hands into the flame. Install a child-proof fence around the fireplace or install a fireplace screen. It is also 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 creosote accumulation as well as bird nests and other problems that can affect stove and chimney safety. This will prevent fires and health hazards, and 913875.Xyz will also reduce the necessity for CO2 or smoke remediation services.

Maintenance

Wood stoves can be a great way to reduce your heating costs, but they need some additional maintenance. If you fail to do the necessary maintenance on your wood stove, it can cause a fire that escapes the flue, a risky chimney fire, or a house fire. In addition to sweeping the chimney and cleaning the stove, you must to clean and sweep the surfaces in the stove and flue. It is also advisable to keep a fire extinguisher handy and test it regularly. Smoke detectors are also beneficial throughout the home, but they are especially useful in the room where the stove is.

As a rule cleaning your stove and chimney at least once per year. The schedule of cleaning should be altered in accordance with how frequently the stove is used. It may be necessary to clean it more often in winter. You should also be sure to make sure to use only dry and seasoned wood to use in the stove. Avoid using a lot of oil or kerosene to start the fire. These fuels can produce toxic gasses and pose a danger to your health.

When you clean your house regularly and maintenance, be sure to examine the gaskets on your doors. They are typically made of rope-like braids that may degrade with repeated opening and closing. If you notice that the gasket is not tight and you need to replace it, buy a gasket made of fiberglass and some cement to repair it. The hinges of these doors must be examined as well.

Chimneys and flues should be inspected to ensure that they are free of creosote build-up and obstructions. During this inspection, look for cracks in the chimney liner and any other indications of damage. Stovepipes must be examined too, and any gaps or dents must be fixed.

If you have a glass door for your wood stove, it's essential to keep it clean. This can be done easily by using a mixture of ammonia and water. The solution is then applied to the glass with a rag or sponge. You can let the solution sit for a couple of minutes before wiping it again.