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 produce less pollution. Undark discovered that some of the newer stoves might not meet EPA standards.

In a time of high energy costs, cities are looking for ways to reduce burning wood, particularly in areas with poor air quality. Here are 10 ways to improve the indoor air quality, and extract more heat of each log.

Efficiency

Wood stoves are one of the most energy-efficient ways to heat your house. Modern EPA certified wood stoves burn logs extremely quickly and produce less creosote than previous models. This allows you to make use of a larger portion of the potential energy generated by your fireplace in a shorter time and lower your heating costs by as much as 30 percent. If you only use wood that has been seasoned, the efficiency of wood stoves increases throughout the life of the stove.

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

Wood stoves can be made more efficient by controlling airflow as well as the fuel and combustion processes. Wood stoves that regulate the airflow are able to slow down the speed at which the fire moves through the wood, and permit the gas that is produced to stay hot and combust completely.

Modern wood stoves can also recycle the byproducts of incomplete combustion to create a new fire that burns more efficiently. This process is referred to as reburn and can improve wood stove burning efficiency by as much as 10 percent.

Another benefit of using wood as a source of heat is that it is considered carbon neutral. Trees absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere while growing and release oxygen when they are burned. Wood is a sustainable resource for the environment, especially when it comes from local woodlands, which are managed in a way that encourages healthy tree growth.

Cleanliness

With 8.8 million households that use wood stoves in the United States, cleaning and maintenance are a crucial element of keeping your home warm. A filthy stove or flue pipe could cause carbon monoxide to build up and create fire hazards. Clean stoves as well as flue pipes and chimneys are more efficient.

The most frequent task associated with cleaning your wood stove is to empty the ashes. Wear protective gloves and wait until the stove has cooled down. Choose a container made of steel that will hold all of the ashes and dump it outside away from anything that may ignite. You can also incorporate the ashes to your compost to create an excellent addition to your garden.

Once the ashes have gone out of the stove, it's the perfect time to sweep the floor and sweep up any dust left behind. It is also a good idea to keep at least three feet space between your wood stove and any other combustible objects like pillows or curtains. This will prevent the spread of a fire and burning the items.

A clean glass door that is placed on the interior of your stove will let you see the flames dancing, and can help you determine when to light a fire. Make sure you have a glass cleaner available to clean any tarred or smudged areas. If the glass is very filthy, you can make use of a newspaper that has been dipped in ash and water to wipe it down. Be careful not to scratch the glass as scratches can weaken the glass and cause it to shatter when the glass is heated.

The buildup of creosote inside your chimney flue is one the main causes of chimney fires. Creosote can be extremely flammable, which is why an accumulation of just a few millimeters can cause the chimney to catch fire. Clean your flue often, especially if you burn pine or other soft woods that create more creosote compared to other types of wood.

To prevent creosote vapors from entering your home, only burn seasoned and dry wood that has been split in half or smaller. Also, never burn artificial wood or trash in your wood stove.

Safety

Wood stoves can release toxic gasses like carbon monoxide or particulates. These harmful gases can be absorbed into the home and cause negative health effects on children, older adults, and those suffering from respiratory illnesses such as COPD or asthma. As time passes, wood smoke exposure can cause lung damage and heart disease.

To prevent these risks, it is essential to follow the proper methods for burning wood on your stove. This includes ensuring that the stove is working correctly and has sufficient heat output for the size and design of the room. Only dry, well-seasoned, hard woods should be burned in the stove. The firewood's moisture content should be less than 20 percent. If the moisture content of the wood is higher it will burn more quickly and create a smoky fire with more creosote forming on the chimney vent pipe's wall.

A strong draw is an essential safety feature. This can be achieved by monitoring the amount of air that is flowing into the firebox as well as through the chimney. The owner's manual will give specific instructions on how to regulate air flow in the majority of modern stoves. Correctly operating the air controls can ensure the highest efficiency of heating.

The chimney and flue pipe must be free of all combustible material, such as drapes, paper or trash. The wood stove fires are usually caused by inadequate clearance between combustibles, wood burning stove near me-burning appliances, and combustibles.

Keep children away from wood stoves while the fire is burning or the ashes are being removed. Children are naturally curious, and they can touch hot surfaces on the stove or place their hands in the fire. It is recommended to put up a childproof gate around the fireplace or to use the fireplace screen. In addition, it is essential to regularly check the fireplace and wood stove for signs of wear.

It is also essential to have your chimney and stove professionally examined at least once a year to check for creosote buildup, bird nests, and other issues that could affect the safety of your stove. This will prevent fires and health hazards and will also lessen the need for CO2 or smoke remediation services.

Maintenance

Wood stoves can be an excellent way to cut down your heating expenses, but they need some additional maintenance. If you don't perform the necessary maintenance the wood stove could cause a fire that is dangerous to escape from the chimney or flue and could even trigger an explosion in your home. You should also clean the stove's surfaces and flue. Keep a fire extinguisher at your desk and check it frequently. Smoke detectors are also a great idea throughout the house, but especially in the room in which the stove is.

As a rule it is recommended to clean your stove and chimney at least once per year. The schedule for cleaning should be adjusted based on the amount that the stove is used, and may require more frequently during winter. Also, make sure to use only seasoned and dry wood for burning in the stove. It is advised to avoid using a lot of kerosene or oil when starting the fire, as these fuels burn differently and create toxic gases that can be very harmful to your health.

You should inspect the gaskets on your door during your regular cleaning. They are typically made of rope-like braids which can become degraded with repeated closing and opening. If you find that the gasket is loosened, purchase a replacement gasket made of fiberglass as well as some gasket cement to fix it. Likewise, the hinges on these doors must be examined as well.

It is important to inspect chimneys and flues to ensure that they are clear of obstructions and creosote. During the inspection, check for cracks or other signs of damage to the chimney lining. Stovepipes must also be inspected and any damage should be repaired.

It is crucial to clean the glass door of your wood stove. This can be done easily by using a mixture of water and ammonia. The solution should be applied to the glass with a rag or sponge. You can let the solution sit for a few minutes before wiping it again.