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 pollution. But Undark discovered that some of these modern stoves might not be up to EPA standards.

In these times of high energy prices, a lot of cities are looking for ways to cut down on wood burning, especially 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 one of the most efficient methods to heat your home. Modern EPA certified wood stoves burn logs very quickly and produce less creosote than older models. This allows you to make use of a larger portion of the potential energy from your fire in a shorter time and lower your heating costs by up to 30 percent. When you only use wood that has been seasoned, the efficiency of wood stoves increases over the lifetime of the stove.

Older wood stoves have an efficiency of 50 percent or lower. This means that half of the potential energy in the fire is lost as smoke and carbon monoxide are released into the atmosphere. Modern stoves can have an efficiency of 85 percent or more. This is comparable to gas and oil furnaces.

Wood stoves can be more efficient by controlling airflow combustion, fuel, and processes. Wood stoves that control airflow are able to slow down the speed at which the fire moves through the wood and allow the gas that is produced to stay hot and fully combust.

Modern wood stoves are able to recycle the byproducts from incomplete combustion to create a new fire that is more efficient in burning. This process, called reburn, can boost the efficiency of wood stoves by up to 10%.

Another advantage of using wood as a source of heat is that it is carbon neutral. Trees absorb carbon dioxide from the air while growing and release oxygen when they burn. Wood is also an eco-friendly resource, particularly when it comes from woodlands in the local area that are managed in a way that encourages the growth of healthy trees.

Cleanliness

With 8.8 million households using wood stoves in the United States, cleaning and maintenance are an important part of keeping the home warm. A dirty flue pipe or stove could cause carbon monoxide to build up and create fire dangers. Clean stoves, flue pipes and chimneys are more efficient.

The most common task associated with cleaning your wood stove is to empty the ashes. 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 could ignite. You can also put the ashes to your compost to create an excellent addition to your garden.

Once the ashes have gone out of the stove, it is a good time to sweep the floor and vacuum up any dust that remains. It is recommended to have at three feet of space between your wood stove and any combustible materials like pillows, curtains or toys. This helps to prevent a fire from getting out of control and burning these things.

A clean glass door on the interior of your stove will allow you to see the dancing flames, and can help you determine when to light a fire. Ensure that you have glass cleaner in your kitchen to remove any tarred or smudged areas that may be present. If the glass is very dirty you can use newspaper dipped in water and ash to wipe it down. Be careful not to scratch the glass because scratches can weaken the glass and cause it to shatter when it is heated.

The buildup of creosote inside your chimney flue is one of the primary causes of chimney fires. Creosote is extremely flammable, so any layer of even millimeters could cause a chimney fire. Clean the flue often, especially when burning soft or pine woods produces more creosote.

To avoid creosote vapors entering your home, you should only burn seasoned and dry wood that has been split in half or smaller. Never burn artificial garbage, logs, or other items in your wood stove.

Safety

Wood stoves are known to produce very toxic gases, including carbon monoxide and particulates. These toxins enter the home and could have adverse health effects on older adults, children or those with respiratory conditions such as asthma or COPD. Smoke from wood burning stove fan over time can also cause heart disease and cause lung damage.

To prevent these risks It is crucial to follow the proper wood stove burning procedures. This includes ensuring that the stove is working correctly and has the right heat output for the size and layout of the room. Only dry, well-seasoned hard woods should be burned in the stove. The moisture content should be less than 20 percent. If the moisture content is higher it will burn more quickly and create a smokier fire, with more creosote accumulation on the chimney vent pipe's walls.

A good draw is another essential safety feature. This can be achieved by monitoring how much air is circulating through 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 contains the procedures. When you operate the air controls correctly, you will ensure the highest efficiency in heating.

The chimney and flue pipe must be free of all combustible material, such as drapes, trash or paper. Inadequate clearance between combustibles and wood-burning appliances is the most common cause of house fires caused by wood stoves.

It is also important to keep children away from wood stoves when the fire is in progress or when ashes are being removed. Children are naturally curious and they might touch hot surfaces of a wood stove or place their hands in the flame. It is recommended to install a childproof gate around the fireplace or to employ a fireplace screen. In addition, it is essential to regularly inspect the fireplace and wood stove for signs of wear.

It is also important to have your stove and chimney professionally checked at least once per year to check for creosote buildup, bird nests and other issues that could affect the safety of your stove. This will help prevent fires and health hazards as well as reducing the need for carbon monoxide remediation.

Maintenance

Wood stoves are a great way to reduce your heating costs, but they do require a little more maintenance. If you do not do the necessary maintenance on your wood stove, it can result in a fire that escapes the flue, a dangerous chimney fire, or even a house fire. In addition to sweeping the chimney and cleaning the stove, you need to clean and sweep the surfaces in the electric stove heaters and flue. Keep a fire extinguisher in the counter and test it frequently. It's also an excellent idea to place smoke detectors in the house, especially one in the room with the stove.

As a general rule cleaning your chimney and stove at least once a year. Cleaning schedules should be adjusted depending on how often the stove is used. It may be necessary to clean it more frequently in winter. Only use dry and seasoned wood to use in the stove. Avoid using a lot of oil or kerosene to start the fire. These fuels could release toxic gases and be harmful to your health.

In the course of your regular cleaning and maintenance, be sure 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 leaking and needs to be replaced, purchase a new gasket made of fiberglass and adhesive. The hinges of these doors must be inspected as well.

Chimneys and flues must be examined to ensure that they are free of creosote build-up and obstructions. During the inspection, check for cracks and other signs of damage in the chimney lining. Stovepipes need to be checked as well and any gaps or dents need to be filled.

If you have a glass door for your wood stove, it is important to keep this clean. This can be accomplished easily by using a mixture of ammonia and water. A sponge or rag should be soaked in the solution, then wiped over the glass's surface until it is completely clean. You can leave the solution for a couple of minutes before wiping it off again.