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 produce less pollutant. But Undark found that some of these newer stoves may not be able to meet EPA standards.

In these times of high energy prices, many cities are seeking ways to cut down on the use of wood, particularly in areas where air quality is poor. Here are 10 tips to improve the quality of your indoor air and gain more heat from each log.

Efficiency

Wood stove burning is one of the most efficient ways to heat your home. Modern wood stoves that are EPA-certified burn logs fast and produce less smoke than older models. This makes it possible to make use of a larger proportion of the energy of your fire in a shorter amount of time and lower your heating costs by as much as 30 percent. If you only use well-seasoned wood, the efficiency of wood stoves increases over the lifetime of the stove.

Older wood stoves usually have efficiency of less than 50 percent. This means that half the energy potential in the fire is lost because carbon monoxide and smoke are released into the air. Modern stoves boast efficiency of up to 85 percent or more, which is similar to the efficiency of gas and oil furnaces.

The higher efficiency of wood stoves are achieved by controlling the multi fuel stove, air and combustion process. Wood stoves with controlled airflow can slow down the speed at which the flame moves through wood, allowing the gas produced to remain hot and burn completely.

Modern wood stoves can also reuse the byproducts of incomplete combustion to create a new fire which burns more efficiently. This process is known as reburn, and can boost wood stove burning efficiency by up to 10 percent.

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

Cleanliness

With 8.8 million households that use wood stoves in the United States, cleaning and maintenance are an essential part of keeping the home warm. A dirty stove and pipe can be an ignition source and can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning. Clean chimneys, stoves and flue pipes are more efficient.

Cleaning the ashes is the most common task to do when cleaning your wood stove. Wear gloves that are protective and wait until the stove is cool down. Choose a container made of steel that can hold all the ashes and dump it outside, away from anything that could burn. Alternatively, you can add the ashes to your compost for a healthy addition to your garden.

Once the ashes have been removed from the stove, you can sweep the floor to remove any dust. It is also a great idea to put at least three feet between your wood stove, and any other combustible objects like pillows or curtains. This will prevent a fire from spreading and burning the items.

A clean glass door on the inside of your stove will allow you to see the flames dancing, and it will also aid you in determining when to start a fresh fire. Make sure you have glass cleaner available to clean any tarred or smudged areas that may be present. Newspaper dipped into water and ash can be used to wash the glass if it's extremely dirty. Avoid scratching the glass as this could cause it to shrink and break when heated.

Creosote accumulation on the inside of your flue is the primary cause of chimney fires. A few millimeters of creosote can cause a fire in a chimney. Clean the flue often especially in the event that burning soft or pine woods produce more creosote.

To ensure that creosote-free vapors do not enter your home, you should only burn seasoned and dry wood that has been split in half or smaller. Never burn artificial trash, logs or other items inside your wood stove.

Safety

Wood stoves emit harmful gasses like carbon monoxide or particulates. These toxins enter the home and may have negative health effects for children, elderly adults or those with respiratory conditions like asthma or COPD. The exposure to wood smoke in the long run can lead to heart disease and cause lung damage.

To prevent these risks to avoid these risks, it is vital to adhere to the correct methods for burning wood on your stove. This includes ensuring the stove is operating correctly and has the right energy output to meet the dimensions and layout of the room. In addition, only dry, well-seasoned hardwoods are allowed to be burned in the stove. The moisture content of the wood should not exceed 20%. If the moisture content is higher it will burn faster and produce a smoky fire that has more creosote building up on the chimney vent pipe's walls.

Another important safety issue is to ensure that the stove is operating at a high draw by observing the amount of air that flows into the firebox and through the chimney. Most modern stoves have various ways to regulate the flow of air and the owner's manual includes the procedures. The highest heating efficiencies can be achieved if the air controls are properly operated.

The flue and chimney pipes should be free of material that could ignite, such as drapes, paper, trash or rug. Insufficient clearance between combustibles as well as wood-burning appliances is a leading cause of house fires caused by wood stoves.

It is also important to keep children out of wood stoves when the fire is burning or while the ashes are being removed. Children are naturally curious and they can touch hot surfaces of the stove or place their hands on the fire. Install a child-proof fence around the fireplace, or use a fireplace screen. It is also important to check the fireplace regularly and wood stove for signs of wear.

It is also essential to ensure that your stove and chimney are professionally checked at least once per 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, health hazards and reduce the necessity for carbon monoxide remediation.

Maintenance

Wood stoves can be an excellent way to cut down your heating expenses, but they require some extra maintenance. If you do not do the necessary maintenance on your wood stove, it could result in a fire that escapes the flue, a dangerous chimney fire, or even an unintentional house fire. In addition to cleaning the chimney and cleaning the stove, it is essential to sweep and clean the stove's surfaces and flue. It is also advisable to keep an extinguisher in your house and test it regularly. Smoke detectors are also beneficial throughout the house, but especially in the area in which the stove wood is.

As a rule, you should clean your stove and chimney at least once a year. The schedule of cleaning should be altered in accordance with how frequently the stove is used. It may be necessary to clean it more often in winter. Use only dry and seasoned wood to use in the stove. It is advised to avoid using lots of kerosene or oil for starting the fire, as these fuels have different burning patterns and create toxic gases that can be dangerous to your health.

It is recommended to check your door gaskets when you clean them regularly. They are usually made of rope-like braids that may be damaged by repeated opening and closing. If you notice that the gasket is not sealing properly and requires to be fixed, purchase a new gasket made of fiberglass and adhesive. The hinges of these doors must be inspected as well.

It is important to inspect chimneys and flues to ensure that they are free of creosote and obstructions. During the inspection, look for cracks and other signs of damage to the chimney lining. Stovepipes should be inspected as well, and any gaps or dents must be fixed.

If you have a glass door on your wood stove, it's crucial to keep it clean. It is easy to do this by mixing water with ammonia. The solution should be wiped onto the glass using an abrasive or sponge. It is possible to leave the solution for a few minutes before wiping it off again.