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. Undark discovered that some of the newer stoves may not meet EPA standards.

In these times of high energy costs, cities are seeking ways to reduce burning wood, particularly in areas where air quality is poor. Here are 10 ways to improve the indoor air quality, and extract more heat of each log.

Efficiency

Wood stove burning is one of the most efficient ways to heat your home. Modern wood stoves that are EPA-certified burn logs quickly and generate less smoke than older models. This lets you burn more of the energy in your fire and reduce your heating expenses by up to 30 percent. If you only use well-seasoned wood the efficiency of wood stoves improves over the life of the stove.

Older wood stoves generally 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 of the fire. Modern stoves can boast an efficiency of up to 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 have controlled airflow can slow the speed at which the fire moves through the wood, allowing gas produced to remain hot and completely burn.

Modern wood stoves can recycle the byproducts of incomplete combustion to create a new fire which burns more efficiently. This process is known as reburn, and can boost wood stove burning efficiency by as much as 10 percent.

Wood is also carbon neutral, which is another advantage. The trees absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere while growing and release oxygen in return when they burn. Wood is a resource that is sustainable for the environment, especially when it comes from local woodlands managed in a way that encourages healthy tree growth.

Cleanliness

Cleaning and maintenance of wood stoves is important for keeping homes warm. In the United States, 8.8 million households use wood stoves. A dirty flue pipe or stove could cause carbon monoxide to build up and create fire dangers. Clean stoves as well as flue pipes and chimneys are more efficient.

Cleaning the ashes is the most common task you can do when cleaning your wood stove. This should be done on a cool day, when the stove isn't as hot and you must wear gloves that are protective when handling the ashes. Select a container made of metal that can accommodate all of the ashes and then dispose of it outside away from anything that could ignite. Alternatively, you can add the ashes to your compost for an organic addition to your garden.

Once the ashes have been removed from the stove, you can sweep the floor to get rid of any dust. It is recommended to leave at minimum 3 feet of space between your wood stove and any combustible items like curtains, pillows or toys. This will prevent a fire from spreading and burning the objects.

A clean glass door interior of your stove will let you see the dancing flames, and can help you determine when to start a fresh fire. Ensure that you have glass cleaner in your kitchen to remove any smudged or tarred areas that may be present. Newspaper dipped in water and ash can be used to clean the glass if it's extremely dirty. Avoid scratching the glass because this can cause it to shrink and break when heated.

Creosote build-up on the inside of your flue is the primary cause of chimney fires. A few millimeters of creosote can cause a fire in a chimney. Clean the flue regularly particularly if you are burning pine or other soft woods that create more creosote than other kinds of wood.

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

Safety

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

To reduce the risk of these issues, it is essential to follow proper wood stove burning procedures. These include ensuring that the stove is working properly and that it has sufficient heat output for the room size and design. Additionally, only dry, well-seasoned woods should be burned in the stove. The moisture content of the wood should be less than 20%. If the moisture content of the firewood is higher, the fire will burn more quickly and produce a smoky fire with more creosote forming on the chimney vent pipe wall.

A good draw is another important safety element. This can be accomplished by observing how much air is circulating through the firebox and through the chimney. Most modern stoves have several options to regulate the flow of air and the owner's guide has documented procedures. Properly operating the air controls can achieve the highest efficiency in heating.

The chimney and flue pipe must be free of fire-prone materials, like drapes, paper or trash. Insufficient clearance between combustibles as well as wood-burning appliances is the most common cause of fires in homes caused by wood stoves.

Be sure to keep children away from wood stoves when the flame is burning or when the ashes are being removed. Children are naturally curious and may want 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 inspect the fireplace and wood stove frequently for signs of wear and tear.

It is also important to have your stove and chimney professionally checked every year for creosote accumulation, bird nests and other problems that can affect the safety of your chimney and stove. This will help avoid fires and health hazards as well as reducing the necessity for carbon monoxide remediation.

Maintenance

Wood stoves can be a great way to reduce your heating costs, but they need some additional maintenance. If you do not perform the necessary maintenance on your wood stove, it could result in a fire which escapes the flue, a dangerous chimney fire, or even an unintentional house fire. It is important to clean the surfaces of the stove and flue. You should also keep an extinguisher on hand and test it often. It's also an excellent idea to place smoke detectors around the house, especially one in the area with the stove.

As a rule it is recommended to clean the stove and chimney once a year. The schedule for cleaning can be altered based on how often the stove is being used, and it might need to be done more frequently in winter. Make sure to use only dry and seasoned wood for burning in the stove. Avoid using lots of oil or kerosene to ignite the fire. These fuels can release toxic gasses and pose a danger to your health.

It is recommended to check your door gaskets when you clean them regularly. These are often made from rope-like braids which can be damaged by repeated closing and opening. If you notice the gasket is leaking and needs to be fixed, purchase a replacement gasket made of fiberglass and adhesive. The hinges of these doors need to be examined as well.

It is important to inspect chimneys and flues to ensure that they are clear of obstructions and creosote. During this inspection, look for cracks in the chimney liner, as well as any other signs of damage. Stovepipes also need to be inspected, and any dents should be fixed.

It is important to clean the glass door of your wood stove. This can be done easily by using a mixture of water and ammonia. The solution is then applied to the glass with a rag or sponge. It is possible to leave the solution for a few moments before wiping it off again.