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

Many communities have provided financial incentives to replace old wood stoves with EPA-certified models that emit less pollution. Undark discovered that some of the newer stoves may not meet EPA standards.

In the current climate of high energy costs, cities are trying to cut down on wood combustion, especially in areas in which air quality is poor. Here are 10 ways to improve indoor air quality, and extract more heat of each log.

Efficiency

Wood stoves are one of the most efficient methods to heat your home. Modern EPA-certified wood stoves burn logs quickly and generate less smoke than older models. This lets you burn more energy into your fire, and reduce heating expenses by up to 30 percent. The efficiency of wood stoves grows over the lifetime of the stove if you use only seasoned hardwood.

Older wood stoves have an efficiency of 50 percent or less. This means that a significant portion of the potential energy in the fire is lost when smoke and carbon monoxide are released into the atmosphere. Modern stoves have efficiencies of up to 85 percent or more, which is similar to the efficiency of gas and oil furnaces.

Wood stoves can be made more efficient by controlling airflow, fuel, and combustion processes. Wood stoves that have controlled airflow can slow the speed at which the flame moves through wood, allowing the gases produced to stay hot and fully burn.

Modern wood stoves can also reuse the byproducts of incomplete combustion to create a new flame that produces more efficient combustion. This process is called reburn and can improve wood stove burning efficiency by up to 10 percent.

Another benefit of using wood as a source for heat is that it is carbon neutral. The trees absorb carbon dioxide from the air as they are growing and release oxygen in return when they burn. Wood is a resource that is sustainable for the environment, particularly when it comes from local woodlands managed in a way that encourages healthy tree growth.

Cleanliness

With 8.8 million households using wood stoves in the United States, cleaning and maintenance are an essential 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 as well as flue pipes and chimneys are more efficient.

The most common task associated with cleaning your wood stove is emptying the ashes. Wear gloves that are protective and wait until the stove has cool down. Select a metal container that is large enough to hold all the ashes, then take them outdoors away from anything that could cause a fire. You can also incorporate the ashes into your compost for an excellent addition to your garden.

While the ashes are out of the stove, it is the perfect time to sweep the floor and sweep up any dust that remains. It is also a great idea to keep at least three feet between your wood stove and any other combustible objects such as curtains or pillows. This will stop the fire from growing out of control and burning these things.

Regarding the interior of your stove, a clear glass door lets you to take a look of the flames dancing and will help you determine when it is time to start an all-new fire. Make sure you have glass cleaner in your kitchen to remove any smudged or tarred areas that could be present. If the glass is extremely dirty, you can use newspaper dipped in water and ash to clean it. Avoid scratching the glass since this can cause it to weaken and break when heated.

The buildup of creosote inside your chimney flue is among the primary causes of chimney fires. Creosote is extremely flammable, which is why any layer of even millimeters could cause the chimney to catch fire. Clean the flue frequently particularly in the event that burning pine or soft woods produces more creosote.

To avoid creosote vapors entering your home, you should only burn dry, seasoned wood that has been cut in half or smaller. Do not 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 for older adults, children or those with respiratory conditions like asthma or COPD. Over time exposure to wood smoke can cause lung damage and heart disease.

To avoid these risks It is crucial to adhere to the correct wood stove burning practices. This includes ensuring the stove is operating correctly and has sufficient energy output to meet the dimensions and shape of the room. Only dry, well-seasoned hard woods are suitable for burning in the stove. The moisture content of the wood should not exceed 20%. If the moisture content is higher it will burn faster and create a smokier fire with more creosote build-up on the chimney vent pipe walls.

A good draw is another important safety element. This can be achieved by observing how much air flows into the firebox as well as through the chimney. The owner's manual will give detailed instructions on how to alter the flow of air in most modern stoves. Properly operating the air controls will ensure the highest heating efficiency.

Finally, the chimney and flue pipes must be kept clear of any fire-prone materials, such as drapes, paper, trash or carpets. Insufficient clearance between combustibles as well as wood-burning appliances is a major reason for house fires caused by wood stoves.

Keep children away from wood stoves when the flame is burning or when ashes are being removed. Children are naturally curious, and they may touch the hot surfaces of the wood woodburning stove or put their hands in the flame. It is recommended to put up a child-proof gate around the fireplace or employ a fireplace screen. It is also important to regularly check the fireplace and wood stove for signs of wear.

Lastly, it is important to have your stove and chimney regularly inspected for creosote accumulation, bird nests and other issues that can impact the safety of your chimney and stove. This will prevent fires and health hazards and will also reduce the need for smoke or CO2 remediation services.

Maintenance

Although wood stoves are an excellent way to save money on heating bills but they also require additional maintenance. If you don't perform the required maintenance the wood stove could cause a dangerous fire to escape from the chimney or flue or even start a housefire. In addition to cleaning the chimney and cleaning the stove, it is essential to sweep and clean the stove's surfaces and flue. Keep a fire extinguisher in your desk and check it frequently. It is also an excellent idea to place smoke detectors around the house particularly in the area with the stove.

As a rule it is recommended to clean the woodburner stove (why not check here) and chimney at least once per year. Cleaning schedules need to be adjusted in accordance with how frequently the stove is used. It might be necessary to clean it more often in winter. Also, make sure to make sure to use only dry and seasoned wood to use in the stove. It is best to stay clear of using a lot of oil or kerosene for starting the fire, as these fuels burn differently and produce toxic gases that could be detrimental to your health.

You should inspect the gaskets on your door when you clean them regularly. They are typically made of a braided material which can become degraded over time. If you notice the gasket is loose and needs to be fixed, purchase a replacement gasket seal made of fiberglass and adhesive. The hinges of these doors must also be checked.

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

It is essential to clean the glass door of your wood stove. It is easy to do this by mixing water with ammonia. A rag or sponge should be soaked in the solution and wiped across the surface of the glass until it is completely clean. For more difficult stains, you can leave the solution on for a few minutes prior to wiping again.