EPA-Certified Wood Stoves May Not Meet Your Health and Safety Standards

Many communities have provided financial incentives to replace wood stoves with EPA-certified models that produce less polluting. Undark discovered that some of the more recent stoves may not be up to EPA standards.

In these times of high energy costs, cities are seeking ways to cut down on wood burning, especially in areas with poor air quality. Here are ten tips to improve the quality of indoor air and get more heat out of every log burning stove.

Efficiency

Wood stoves are one of the most efficient ways to heat your home. Modern wood stoves certified by the EPA burn logs fast and produce less smoke than older models. This lets you burn a higher portion of the potential energy from your fire in a shorter amount of time and lower your heating costs by as much as 30 percent. The efficiency of wood stoves increases over the lifetime of the stove if you use only wood that is seasoned.

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

The higher efficiencies of wood stoves are achieved by controlling the fuel, 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 completely burn.

Additionally modern wood stoves are able to recycle the waste products of incomplete combustion into a new one that produces more efficient combustion. This process is referred to as reburn, and can boost wood stove burning efficiency by up to 10 percent.

Wood is also carbon neutral which is a further benefit. Trees absorb carbon dioxide from the air as they are growing and release oxygen in return when they burn. Wood is a sustainable resource for the environment, especially when it comes from local woodlands managed in a way that encourages healthy tree growth.

Cleanliness

With 8.8 million households using wood stoves in the United States, cleaning and maintenance are an essential part of keeping the home warm. A filthy stove or flue pipe can lead to carbon monoxide and fire hazards. Clean stoves as well as flue pipes and chimneys are more efficient.

The removal of ashes is the most frequent task to do when cleaning your wood stove. This should be done on a cool day, 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 accommodate all of the ashes, and then dump it outside away from anything that could ignite. You can also incorporate the ashes to your compost for a healthy addition to you garden.

Once the ashes have gone out of the stove, it is the perfect time to sweep the floor and vacuum up any dust that remains. It is also a good idea to keep at least three feet space between your wood stove and any combustible items such as curtains or pillows. This helps to prevent the fire from growing out of control and burning these items.

As for the inside of your stove a clear glass door lets you to take a look of the dancing flames and help you know when it is time to start the fire again. Make sure you have a glass cleaner on hand in order to get rid of any smudged or tarred areas. If the glass is very dirty you can make use of newspaper soaked in water and ash to wipe it down. Be careful not to scratch the glass because scratches can weaken the glass and cause it to shatter when the glass is heated.

Creosote build-up on the inside of your flue is the primary cause of chimney fires. Creosote is extremely flammable, and an accumulation of just one millimeter can trigger the chimney to catch fire. Clean the flue regularly particularly if you are burning pine or other soft woods that generate more creosote than other kinds of wood.

Burn only dry, seasoned wood that has been split in half or smaller. Do not burn artificial garbage, logs, or other items inside your wood stove.

Safety

Wood stoves emit harmful gasses like carbon monoxide or particulates. These toxins can make their way into the home, and can have negative health effects for children, older adults, or those with respiratory illnesses such as COPD or asthma. Smoke from wood over time can cause heart disease and cause lung damage.

To prevent these risks, it is essential to follow proper wood stove burning procedures. This includes ensuring that the stove is operating properly and that it has enough heat output for the room size and style. Additionally, only dry, well-seasoned hardwoods are allowed to be burned in the stove. The firewood's moisture content should not exceed 20 percent. If the moisture content is higher it will burn faster and produce a more smoky fire with more creosote build-up on the chimney vent pipe's walls.

A good draw is another essential safety feature. This can be accomplished by monitoring the amount of air that is flowing into the firebox and through the chimney. Most modern stoves have various ways to alter the flow of air and the owner's guide includes the procedures. When you operate the air controls correctly, you can ensure the highest heating efficiency.

The flue pipe and chimney should be free of combustible material, such as drapes, trash or paper. A lack of clearance between combustibles and wood-burning appliances is a major reason for house fires caused by wood stoves.

It is also essential to keep children away from wood stoves when the fire is burning or while ashes are being removed. Children are naturally curious and they may touch the hot surfaces of the wood stove or put their hands on the fire. It is recommended to put up a child-proof gate around the fireplace, or make use of the fireplace screen. It is also important to check the fireplace regularly and wood stove for signs of wear and tear.

Finally, it is essential to have your stove and chimney professionally inspected once per year for the accumulation of creosote, bird nests and other issues that can impact the safety of your chimney and stove. This will reduce the risk of fires and health hazards and will also reduce the need for smoke or CO2 remediation services.

Maintenance

Wood stoves are an effective way to lower your heating expenses, but they do require a little more maintenance. If you do not perform the necessary maintenance, your wood stove can cause a dangerous fire to escape the flue or chimney, and even cause fire in your home. It is also recommended to clean the multi burner stove's surfaces and flue. Keep a fire extinguisher at your desk and check it frequently. Smoke detectors are also beneficial throughout the home, but they are especially useful in the area where the stove is located.

As a general rule, you should clean your stove and chimney at least once a year. The frequency of cleaning should be adjusted based on how much the stove is being used, and it might be required to be done more frequently in winter. It is also important to use only seasoned and dry wood to use in the stove. Avoid using a lot of oil or kerosene for starting the fire. These fuels could release toxic gases and can be harmful to your health.

You should inspect the gaskets in your door at the time of your regular cleaning. They are typically made of rope-like braids which can be damaged by repeated closing and opening. If you find 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 of these doors should be examined as well.

It is important to inspect chimneys and flues to make sure that they are clear of obstructions and creosote. During the inspection, look for cracks and other signs of damage to the chimney lining. Stovepipes also need to be inspected, and any dents should be fixed.

It is essential to clean the glass door of your wood stove. You can easily do this by mixing water and ammonia. The solution is then wiped onto the glass using a rag or sponge. For more difficult staining, leave the solution on for a few minutes prior to wiping it off again.