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

Many communities have offered incentives to purchase wood stoves with EPA-certified models which produce less pollution. But Undark discovered that some of these modern stoves may not be able to meet EPA standards.

In the midst of rising energy prices, a lot of cities are looking for ways to reduce wood burning, especially in areas with poor air quality. Here are 10 tips to improve indoor air quality and get more heat from each log.

Efficiency

Wood stoves are one of the most energy efficient methods to heat your house. Modern wood stoves that are EPA-certified burn logs quickly and produce less smoke than older models. This allows you to burn more energy in your fireplace and cut down on heating expenses by as much as 30 percent. If you use only wood that has been seasoned the efficiency of wood stoves improves over the life of the stove.

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

Wood stoves can be improved by controlling airflow as well as the fuel and combustion processes. Wood stoves that have controlled airflow can slow down the speed at which the fire moves through wood, allowing the gases to stay hot and burn completely.

Additionally modern wood stoves can recycle the waste products of incomplete combustion into a new fire that is more efficient in burning. This process, called reburn, can increase the efficiency of wood stoves by up to 10%.

Wood is also carbon-neutral which is a further benefit. When trees expand they absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen when they are burnt. Wood is a sustainable resource for the environment, especially when it comes from local woodlands that are managed in a manner that encourages healthy tree growth.

Cleanliness

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

The most commonly-asked task with cleaning your wood stove is emptying the ashes. Wear protective gloves and wait until the stove has cool down. Select a metal container big enough to hold all of the ashes, and then dump them outside away from anything that might be able to ignite. You can also add the ashes into your compost to create an excellent addition to your garden.

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

A clean glass door interior of your stove will let you see the dancing flames, and it will also aid you in determining when to light a new fire. Ensure that you have glass cleaner in your kitchen to remove any smudged or tarred areas that may be present. Newspapers dipped in ash and water can be used to wash the glass if it's extremely filthy. Avoid scratching the glass since this can cause it to weaken and break when heated.

The accumulation of creosote in your chimney flue is one of the primary causes of chimney fires. Creosote is highly flammable, so any layer of even millimeters could cause a chimney fire. Clean your flue often particularly if you are burning pine or other soft woods that generate more creosote than other types of wood.

To ensure that creosote-free vapors do not enter your home, you should only burn dry, seasoned wood burning stoves near me that has been split in half or smaller. Never burn fake trash, logs or other objects in your wood stove.

Safety

Wood stoves can release toxic gases such as carbon monoxide and particulates. These toxins can enter your home and may have negative health consequences for children, elderly adults or those suffering from respiratory issues such as asthma or COPD. Over time, wood smoke exposure can cause heart disease and lung damage.

It is important to adhere to the proper burning techniques for wood stoves to avoid these dangers. This includes ensuring the stove is operating correctly and has sufficient energy output to meet the dimensions and design of the room. Only dry, well-seasoned, hard woods should be burnt in the stove. The moisture content should not exceed 20%. If the moisture content of the wood is higher the fire will burn faster and produce an smoky flame with more creosote forming on the chimney vent pipe wall.

A good draw is another important safety element. This can be accomplished by monitoring how much air is flowing into the firebox and through the chimney. The owner's manual will give specific instructions on how to regulate air flow in the majority of modern stoves. The highest heating efficiencies can be achieved when air controls are properly operated.

Additionally, the chimney and flue pipes must be kept free of fire-prone materials, such as drapes, paper, or carpets. The wood stove fires are often caused by an inadequate clearance between combustibles, wood-burning appliances and combustibles.

Be sure to keep children out of wood stoves while the fire is burning or when the ashes are being removed. Children are naturally curious, and may try to touch the hot surfaces of a cheap wood burning stoves (resource for this article) stove, or put their hands into the fire. It is recommended to set up a child-proof gate around the fireplace, or make use of the fireplace screen. It is also crucial to check the wood stove and fireplace regularly for signs of wear and tear.

It is also important to have your stove and chimney professionally inspected at least once a year to ensure there is no creosote buildup, bird nests, and other issues that may affect the safety of your stove. This will help to prevent fires, health hazards and reduce the need for smoke or carbon monoxide remediation.

Maintenance

Wood stoves are an excellent way to save money on heating bills but they also require additional maintenance. If you do not take care of the required maintenance on your wood stove, it could result in a fire which escapes the flue, a dangerous chimney fire, or a house fire. In addition to cleaning the chimney and cleaning the stove, it is essential to sweep and clean the surfaces in the stove and flue. Keep a fire extinguisher in the counter and test it frequently. It's also recommended to install smoke detectors throughout the home particularly in the area with the stove.

In general it is recommended to clean the chimney and stove at least once per year. The cleaning schedule is dependent on the amount that the stove is used, and it may need to be done more frequently in winter. Use only dry and seasoned wood to burn in the stove. Avoid using lots of oil or kerosene to ignite the fire. These fuels can produce toxic gases and be harmful to your health.

During your regular cleaning, you should examine the gaskets on your doors. They are usually made of braided rope-like material that can become degraded with repeated closing and opening. If you find that the gasket is leaking and needs to be replaced, purchase an alternative gasket seal made of fiberglass and adhesive. The hinges of these doors need to be inspected as well.

It is essential to check chimneys and flues to make sure that they are free of creosote and obstructions. During the inspection, check for cracks and other signs of damage in the chimney lining. Stovepipes should also be examined and any dents must be repaired.

If you have a glass door on your wood stove, it is essential to keep it clean. It is easy to accomplish this by mixing water and ammonia. A rag or sponge should be soaked with the solution and then wiped across the glass's surface until it is completely clean. For more difficult staining, you can leave the solution in place for a few minutes before wiping it off again.