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 pollutant. Undark discovered that some of the latest stoves might not meet EPA standards.

In a time of rising energy costs, cities are looking to reduce wood combustion, particularly in areas where air quality is poor. Here are 10 strategies to improve the indoor air quality and get more heat out of each log.

Efficiency

Wood stove burning is one of the most efficient ways to heat your home. Modern EPA certified wood stoves burn up logs quickly and produce less creosote than previous models. This allows you to make use of a larger portion of the potential energy from your fire in a shorter period of time and lower your heating costs by up to 30 percent. 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 half the energy potential in the fire is lost as smoke and carbon monoxide are released into the atmosphere. Modern stoves can have an efficiency of 85 percent or more. This is comparable to oil and gas furnaces.

Wood stoves can be improved by controlling airflow combustion, fuel, and processes. Wood stoves that control the airflow can slow down how fast the flame moves through the wood and permit the gases produced to remain hot and combust completely.

In addition modern wood stoves can recycle the waste products of incomplete combustion into a new fire that is more efficient in burning. This process is called reburn and can improve wood stove burning efficiency by as much as 10 percent.

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

Cleanliness

Cleaning and maintaining wood stoves is important for keeping homes warm. In the United States, 8.8 million households utilize wood stoves. A dirty flue pipe or stove can cause carbon monoxide and fire hazards. Clean chimneys, stoves and flue pipes are also more efficient.

The most frequent task associated with cleaning your wood stove is emptying the ashes. This should be done on a day that is cool, when the stove isn't as hot and you must wear gloves that are protective when handling the ashes. Select a metal container that is large enough to accommodate all the ashes, then take them in a safe place away from anything that might burn. You can also add the ashes to your compost pile for a healthy addition to your garden.

When the ashes have been cleared of the stove, it is a good time to sweep the floor and remove any residual dust. It is also a great idea to keep at least three feet space between your wood stove and any other combustible objects such as curtains or pillows. This prevents a fire stove from getting out of control and burning these things.

As for the interior of your electric stove heaters, a clear glass door lets you to see of the flames dancing and help you know when it's time to start a new fire. Ensure that you have glass cleaner available to clean any tarred or smudged areas that could be present. If the glass is extremely dirty, you can make use of a newspaper that has been dipped in ash and water to clean it. Avoid scratching the glass because this could cause it to weaken and break when heated.

Creosote buildup on the inside of your flue is a major cause of chimney fires. A few millimeters of creosote can cause a fire to the chimney. Clean the flue regularly, especially when burning soft or pine woods produces more creosote.

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

Safety

Wood stoves can emit toxic gasses like carbon monoxide and particulates. These toxins can enter your home and can have negative health effects on children, elderly adults or people suffering from respiratory ailments such as asthma or COPD. In time, wood smoke exposure can cause lung damage and heart disease.

To prevent these risks, it is essential to adhere to the correct wood stove burning procedures. This includes making sure that the stove is operating correctly and has enough heat output to the size of the room and style. Additionally only dry, well-seasoned woods should be burned in the stove. The moisture content should not exceed 20%. If the moisture content of the wood is higher the fire will burn more quickly and create a smoky fire with more creosote buildup on the chimney vent pipe's wall.

A well-drawn chimney is an additional essential safety feature. This can be accomplished by observing how much air flows into the firebox and through the chimney. Modern stoves come with various ways to regulate the flow of air and the owner's manual includes the procedures. Correctly operating the air controls can achieve the highest efficiency in heating.

The flue pipe and chimney should be free of combustible material, such as drapes, trash or paper. Insufficient clearance between combustibles as well as wood-burning appliances is a leading cause of fires in homes caused by wood stoves.

It is also important to keep children out of wood stoves while the fire is in progress or when the ashes are being removed. Kids are naturally curious and might try to touch the hot surfaces of the wood stove or even put their hands into the flame. It is recommended to install a child-proof barrier around the fireplace or to use a fireplace screen. It is also essential to inspect the fireplace and stove regularly for signs of wear.

It is also important to have your stove and chimney regularly inspected for accumulation of creosote as well as bird nests and other issues that could affect stove and chimney safety. This will help prevent fires and health hazards and will also reduce the necessity for CO2 or smoke remediation services.

Maintenance

Wood stoves are an excellent way to cut down your heating costs, but they do require a little more maintenance. If you do not perform the necessary 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 clean and sweep the surfaces in the stove and flue. Keep a fire extinguisher on hand and test it regularly. It is also a good idea to put smoke detectors throughout the home particularly in the area with the stove.

As a rule you should clean the stove and chimney at least once per year. The cleaning schedule should be adjusted based on how much the stove is used, and may need to be done more frequently during winter. Use only dry and seasoned wood to use in the stove. It is recommended 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.

In the course of your regular cleaning and maintenance, be sure to check the gaskets on your doors. They are typically made from a braided material which can be damaged over time. If you notice that the gasket is loose, purchase a replacement fiberglass gasket and some gasket cement to fix it. Also, the hinges of these doors need to be examined as well.

It is crucial to examine chimneys and flues to make sure that they are clear of obstructions and creosote. During the inspection, look for cracks in the chimney liner, as well as any other signs of damage. Stovepipes should be inspected too and any holes or dents should be repaired.

It is crucial to clean the glass door of your wood stove. This can be accomplished easily with a mix of ammonia and water. The solution should be applied to the glass with a rag or sponge. For more difficult stains, you can leave the solution on for a few minutes before wiping again.