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 which produce less polluting. But Undark found that some of these more modern stoves may not meet EPA standards.

In the midst of rising energy costs, cities are looking for ways to cut down on the use of wood, particularly in areas where air quality is poor. Here are 10 ways you can improve the quality of indoor air and get more heat from each log.

Efficiency

Wood stoves are one of the most efficient methods to heat your home. Modern EPA certified wood stoves burn up logs quickly and produce less creosote than older models. This lets you use a greater proportion of the energy generated by your fireplace in a shorter period of time and cut down on your heating bill by as much as 30 percent. If you use only seasoned hardwood, the efficiency of wood stoves improves over the lifetime of the stove.

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

Wood stoves can be improved by controlling airflow, fuel, and combustion processes. Wood stoves that control the airflow are able to slow down how fast the fire is moving through the wood and permit the gas that is produced to stay hot and completely combust.

Additionally, modern wood stoves are able to recycle the byproducts of incomplete combustion into a new fire that is more efficient in burning. This process is referred to as reburn and can improve the efficiency of a wood stove by as much as 10 percent.

Another advantage of using wood as a source for heat is that it is carbon neutral. As trees grow, they absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen when they are burned. Wood is a renewable resource for the environment, particularly when it comes from local woodlands managed in a manner that encourages healthy tree growth.

Cleanliness

With 8.8 million households using wood stoves in the United States, cleaning and maintenance are an essential element of keeping your home warm. A dirty stove or flue pipe can cause carbon monoxide and fire dangers. Clean stoves, chimneys and flue pipes are more efficient.

The most common task associated with cleaning your wood stove is to empty the ashes. This should be done on a day that is cool, when the stove isn't as hot and you must wear protective gloves when handling the ashes. Choose a container made of steel that can hold all the ashes and dump it outside away from anything that could burn. You can also add the ashes to your compost for a healthy addition to your garden.

After the ashes have been removed from the stove, sweep the floor to eliminate any dust. It is also a good idea to keep at least three feet between your wood stove, and any other combustible objects like pillows or curtains. This prevents the fire from growing out of control and burning these items.

Regarding the interior of your stove, glass doors that are clean allow you to take a look of the flames dancing and help you know when it's time to start a new fire. Make sure to have a glass cleaner available to get rid of any tarred or smudged areas. Newspaper dipped in ash and water can be used to cleanse the glass if it's extremely filthy. Be careful not to scratch the glass, since scratches can weaken glass and shatter when it is heated.

The accumulation of creosote within your chimney flue is one of the primary causes of chimney fires. Creosote is extremely flammable, so any layer of even millimeters could cause an explosion in your chimney. Clean the flue regularly especially in the event that burning soft or pine woods produce more creosote.

Burn only dry, seasoned wood that has been split in half or smaller. Never burn artificial logs, trash or other items inside your wood stove.

Safety

Wood stoves can release very toxic gases, including carbon monoxide and particulates. These toxins can enter your home and could have adverse health effects for children, elderly adults or those with respiratory conditions such as asthma or COPD. As time passes, wood smoke exposure can cause lung damage and heart disease.

To prevent these risks, it is essential to follow the proper wood stove burning practices. This includes ensuring that the stove is working correctly and has sufficient power to heat the size and shape of the room. Additionally only dry, well-seasoned hardwoods should be burned in the stove. The moisture content should not exceed 20%. If the moisture content is higher, it will burn faster and create a smokier fire, with more creosote accumulation on the chimney vent pipe walls.

Another important aspect of safety is to ensure that the stove has a good draw by monitoring the amount of air flowing into the firebox and through the chimney. The owner's manual will give detailed instructions on how to alter the flow of air in most modern stoves. When you operate the air controls correctly, you can ensure the highest efficiency of heating.

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

It is also essential to keep children out of wood stoves while the flame is in progress or when the ashes are being removed. Children are naturally curious, and may try to touch the hot surfaces of the wood stove or even place their hands into the flame. It is recommended to install a child-proof gate around the fireplace or make use of the fireplace screen. It is also important to inspect the fireplace and wood stove often for signs of wear.

Lastly, it is important to ensure that your chimney and stove are professionally checked every year for the accumulation of creosote, bird nests and other issues that can impact the safety of your chimney and stove. This will help avoid fires and health hazards, as well as reduce the necessity for carbon monoxide remediation services.

Maintenance

Wood stoves are an excellent method of saving money on heating bills but they also require additional maintenance. If you do not perform the required maintenance, your wood stove can cause a dangerous fire to escape from the chimney or flue, and even cause an explosion in your home. 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 your desk and check it frequently. Smoke detectors are an excellent idea for all rooms of the home, but they are especially useful in the area in which the stove is.

As a rule you should clean the chimney and stove at least once per year. The cleaning schedule should be adjusted based on the amount that the stove is being used, and it might need to be done more frequently in winter. Use only dry and seasoned wood for burning in the stove. It is best to stay clear of using a lot of oil or kerosene for starting the fire, since these fuels have different burning patterns and create toxic gases that can be dangerous to your health.

You should check your door gaskets during your regular cleaning. They are usually made of rope-like braids that may be damaged by repeated closing and opening. If you notice that the gasket is loosened and you need to replace it, buy a gasket made of fiberglass as well as some gasket cement to repair it. The hinges on these doors must be checked as well.

Chimneys and flues should be inspected to ensure they are free of creosote build up and obstructions. During this inspection, you should look for cracks in the chimney liner as well as any other signs of damage. Stovepipes should also be examined and any damage should be fixed.

If you have a glass door on your wood stove, it is crucial to keep it clean. It is easy to do this by mixing water with ammonia. The solution is then applied to the glass using a rag or sponge. For tougher staining, leave the solution in place for a few minutes prior to wiping again.