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. However, Undark found that some of these newer stoves may not meet EPA standards.

In the midst of rising energy prices, many cities are seeking ways to cut down on wood burning, especially in areas where air quality is poor. Here are 10 strategies to improve the 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 extremely quickly and produce less creosote compared to older models. This allows you to burn a higher percentage of the potential energy of your fire in a shorter time and reduce your heating bills by up to 30 percent. If you only use seasoned hardwood, the efficiency of wood stoves increases throughout the life of the stove.

Older wood stoves usually have efficiencies of less than 50 percent. 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 achieve efficiency of up to 85 percent or more, which is comparable to the efficiencies of gas and oil furnaces.

The higher efficiency of wood stoves are achieved by controlling the air, fuel, and combustion process. Wood stoves that control airflow can slow down the speed at which flame moves through the wood and allow the gas that is produced to stay hot and fully combust.

In addition modern wood stoves are able to recycle the byproducts of incomplete combustion into a fresh fire that burns more efficiently. This process is referred to as reburn and can increase wood stove burning efficiency by as much as 10 percent.

Another advantage of using wood as a source of heat is that it is carbon neutral. The trees absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere while growing and release oxygen in return when they burn. Wood is also an environmentally sustainable resource, especially if it comes from woodlands in the local area that are managed in a way that encourages the growth of healthy trees.

Cleanliness

Cleaning and maintaining wood stoves is crucial to keeping homes warm. In the United States, 8.8 million households utilize wood stoves. A dirty stove and flue pipe can be a fire hazard and cause carbon monoxide poisoning. Clean chimneys, stoves and flue pipes are also more efficient.

The most frequent task associated with cleaning your wood stove is to empty the ashes. This should be done on a cool day, when the stove isn't hot anymore, and you should wear gloves that are protective when handling the ashes. Select a metal container big enough to hold all the ashes, and then dump them in a safe place away from anything that might be able to ignite. You can also put the ashes to your compost for a healthy addition to you garden.

While the ashes are out of the stove, it is a good time to sweep the floor and vacuum 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 like pillows or curtains. This helps to prevent the fire from growing out of control and burning these things.

A clean glass door on the interior 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 you have glass cleaner available to get rid of any smudged or tarred areas that may be present. If the glass is extremely filthy it is possible to make use of newspaper soaked in water and ash to clean it. Avoid scratching the glass as this could cause it to break or break when heated.

Creosote build-up on the inside of your flue is the primary cause of chimney fires. Creosote is highly flammable, which is why a layer of even millimeters could cause the chimney to catch fire. Clean the flue often particularly if burning soft or pine woods produces more creosote.

Burn only seasoned, dry wood that is split in half or smaller. Do not burn artificial trash, logs or other objects in your wood electric stove fires.

Safety

Wood stoves are known to produce extremely toxic gases, such as carbon monoxide and particulates. These toxins can enter the home, and can have negative health effects on children, elderly adults, and those suffering from respiratory illnesses such as COPD or asthma. As time passes exposure to small wood burning stoves smoke may cause lung damage and heart disease.

To reduce the risk of these issues, it is essential to follow proper wood stove burning procedures. This includes ensuring that the stove is operating correctly and has sufficient heat output for the size and design of the room. Only dry, well-seasoned, hard woods should be burnt 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 build-up on the chimney vent pipe walls.

A good draw is another important safety feature. This can be accomplished by observing how much air is circulating through the firebox and through the chimney. Modern stoves come with various ways to adjust the air flow and the owner's manual contains procedures. Correctly operating the air controls can ensure the highest efficiency in heating.

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

Be sure to keep children out of wood stoves while the fire is burning or when the ashes are being removed. Children are naturally curious and they might touch hot surfaces of the wood stove or put their hands in the flame. It is recommended to put up a childproof gate around the fireplace or make use of the fireplace screen. In addition, it is essential to check the fireplace regularly and wood stove for signs of wear and tear.

It is also crucial to have your chimney and stove professionally checked at least every year to check for creosote buildup, bird nests and other issues that could affect the safety of your stove. This will reduce the risk of fires and health hazards, and will also reduce the necessity for CO2 or smoke remediation services.

Maintenance

Although wood stoves are an excellent method of saving money on heating bills however, they require additional maintenance. If you do not take care of the required maintenance on your wood stove, it can result in a fire which escapes the flue, a risky chimney fire, or even a house fire. It is also recommended to clean the stove's surfaces and flue. It is also advisable to keep an extinguisher on hand and test it frequently. It is also an excellent idea to place smoke detectors around the house, especially one in the room with the stove.

As a general rule it is recommended to clean your stove and chimney at least once per year. The cleaning schedule is dependent on the amount that the stove is being used, and it might require more frequently during winter. Only use dry and seasoned wood for burning in the stove. It is recommended to avoid using lots of kerosene or oil when starting the fire, as these fuels have different burning patterns and create toxic gases that can be dangerous to your health.

In the course of your regular cleaning it is important to examine the gaskets on your doors. They are typically made from a braided material which can be damaged over time. If you notice the gasket is leaking and needs to be repaired, buy a new gasket seal made of fiberglass and adhesive. Likewise, the hinges on these doors should be checked as well.

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

If you have a glass door on your wood stove, it's essential to keep it clean. This can be done quickly by mixing a solution of ammonia and water. The solution is then applied to the glass with an abrasive or sponge. It is possible to leave the solution for a few moments before wiping it off again.