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

Many communities have offered financial incentives to replace old wood stoves with EPA certified models that emit less pollutant. Undark discovered that some of the newer stoves might not meet EPA standards.

In a time of high energy prices, a lot of cities are seeking ways to cut down on burning wood, particularly in areas that have poor air quality. Here are 10 ways to improve indoor air quality and get more heat out of each log.

Efficiency

Wood stoves are one of the most efficient ways to heat your home. Modern EPA-certified wood stoves burn logs fast and produce less smoke than older models. This lets you use more energy into your fire and reduce your heating expenses by as much as 30%. The efficiency of wood stoves improves over the life of the stove if you only use seasoned hardwood.

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

The higher efficiencies of wood stoves can be achieved by controlling the fuel, air, and combustion process. Wood stoves that control the airflow can slow down the speed at which fire moves through the wood, and permit the gases that are produced to remain hot and completely combust.

In addition modern wood stoves can recycle the byproducts of incomplete combustion into a new fire that burns more efficiently. This process, referred to as Reburn, can improve the efficiency of wood stoves by as much as 10 percent.

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

Cleanliness

Cleaning and maintaining wood stoves is essential for keeping homes warm. In the United States, 8.8 million households make use of wood stoves. A dirty flue pipe or stove can cause carbon monoxide and fire dangers. Clean stoves as well as flue pipes and chimneys are more efficient.

The most commonly-asked task with cleaning your wood stove is emptying the ashes. This is best done on a day that is cool, when the stove isn't as hot, and you should wear protective gloves when handling the ashes. Select a container made of metal that can hold all the ashes and then dispose of it outside, away from anything that could burn. You can also add the ashes to your compost for an organic addition to your garden.

While the ashes have been removed from the stove, sweep the floor to eliminate dust. It is also a great idea to leave at least three feet space between your wood stove, and any combustible items such as pillows or curtains. This prevents the fire from growing out of control and burning these items.

A clear glass door on the inside of your stove will let you see the dancing flames and it will also help you determine when to light a new fire. Make sure that you have glass cleaner in your kitchen to get rid of any tarred or smudged areas that could be present. Newspaper dipped in water and ash can be used to clean the glass if it's extremely dirty. Avoid scratching the glass since this can cause it to break or break when heated.

Creosote buildup on the inside of your flue is a major cause of chimney fires. Creosote is highly flammable, which is why an accumulation of just a few millimeters can cause an explosion in your chimney. Clean the flue regularly, especially if you burn pine or other soft woods that create more creosote than other types of wood.

Burn only dry, seasoned wood that has been split in half or smaller. Also, do not burn fake logs or trash in your wood stove.

Safety

Wood stoves can release extremely toxic gases, such as carbon monoxide and particulates. These toxins enter the home and may have negative health effects on young people, older adults or those suffering from respiratory issues such as asthma or COPD. Smoke from wood in the long run can lead to heart disease and lead to lung damage.

To avoid these risks It is crucial to adhere to the correct wood stove burning procedures. These include ensuring that the stove is working correctly and has enough heat output for the room size and design. Only dry, well-seasoned, hard woods should be burned in the stove. The firewood's moisture content must be less than 20%. If the moisture content of the wood is higher it will burn faster and produce smoke that is smoky and has more creosote on the chimney vent pipe wall.

A well-drawn chimney is an additional important safety feature. This can be achieved by observing how much air is circulating through the firebox and through the chimney. The majority of modern stoves offer a variety of ways to regulate the flow of air, and the owner's manual includes the procedures. Correctly operating the air controls will ensure the highest efficiency of heating.

The flue pipe and chimney must be free of all materials that could ignite, including drapes, trash or paper. The fires that occur in wood stoves are usually caused by inadequate clearance between combustibles wood-burning appliances and combustibles.

Keep children away from wood stoves when the flame is burning or when the ashes are being removed. Children are naturally curious, and might try to touch the hot surfaces of the contemporary wood burning stoves stove or even place their hands into the flame. It is recommended to put up a child-proof gate around the fireplace or to use a fireplace screen. Additionally, it is important to regularly inspect the fireplace and wood stove for signs of wear and tear.

It is also crucial to ensure that your stove and chimney are professionally inspected at least once a year to ensure there is no creosote buildup, bird nests, and other problems which can affect the safety of your stove. This will help prevent fires and health hazards as well as reduce the need for smoke or CO2 remediation services.

Maintenance

Although wood stoves are an excellent method of saving the cost of heating your home but they also require additional maintenance. If you fail to do the necessary maintenance on your wood stove, it can cause a fire that escapes the flue, which could lead to a chimney fire, or even an unintentional house fire. In addition to sweeping the chimney and cleaning the stove, you must to sweep and clean the stove's surfaces and flue. Keep an extinguisher on hand and test it frequently. Smoke detectors are beneficial throughout the home, but they are especially useful in the area where the electric stove fire is located.

As a rule it is recommended to clean your chimney and stove at least once per year. The schedule of cleaning should be altered in accordance with how frequently the stove is used. It might be necessary to clean it more frequently in winter. Only use dry and seasoned wood to use in the stove. It is advised to stay clear of using a lot of kerosene or oil for starting the fire, since these fuels burn differently and create toxic gases that can be harmful to your health.

When you clean your house regularly it is important to check the gaskets on your doors. They are typically made of a braided material which can become degraded over time. If you notice that the gasket is not tight and you need to replace it, buy a fiberglass gasket and some gasket cement to repair it. The hinges of these doors need to be inspected as well.

Chimneys and flues should be inspected to ensure that they are free of creosote build up and obstructions. During the inspection, look out for cracks or other signs of damage in the chimney lining. Stovepipes must be examined as well and any holes or dents must be fixed.

If you have a glass door on your wood stove, it's crucial to keep it clean. This can be done easily with a mix of ammonia and water. The solution is then applied to the glass using a rag or sponge. For tougher stains, you can leave the solution in place for a few minutes prior to wiping again.