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 emit less pollutant. Undark discovered that some of the more recent stoves may not be up to EPA standards.

In an era of high energy costs, cities are seeking to reduce wood combustion, particularly in areas in which air quality is poor. Here are 10 strategies to improve indoor air quality and extract more heat of each log.

Efficiency

Wood stoves are among the most energy-efficient ways to heat your home. Modern EPA certified wood stoves burn logs extremely quickly and produce less creosote than previous models. This lets you burn a higher proportion of the energy of your fire in a shorter time and cut down on your heating bill by as much as 30 percent. The efficiency of wood stoves improves over the life of the stove when you use only seasoned hardwood.

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

Wood stoves can be made more efficient by controlling airflow, fuel, and combustion processes. Wood stoves that have controlled airflow can slow down the speed at which the flame moves through wood, allowing the gases to stay hot and completely burn.

In addition modern wood stoves can recycle the byproducts of incomplete combustion into a new one that produces more efficient combustion. This process, referred to as reburn, can boost the efficiency of wood stoves by as much as 10 percent.

Another advantage of using wood as a source for 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 if it comes from woodlands in the local area that are managed in a manner that encourages the growth of healthy trees.

Cleanliness

With 8.8 million households using wood stoves in the United States, cleaning and maintenance are an important part of keeping the home warm. A dirty stove or flue pipe can pose a fire hazard and cause carbon monoxide poisoning. Clean chimneys, stoves and flue pipes are also more efficient.

The most common task associated with cleaning your wood stove is emptying the ashes. Wear gloves that are protective and wait until the stove is cool down. Choose a container made of steel that can accommodate all of the ashes, and then dump it outside, away from anything that may ignite. Alternately, you can add the ashes to your compost for an excellent addition to your garden.

When the ashes have been cleared of the stove, it is a good time to sweep the floor and sweep up any dust left behind. It is also a good idea to put at least three feet between your wood stove and any combustible things like pillows or curtains. This prevents the fire from getting out of control and burning these items.

As for the interior of your stove, a clean glass door allows you to take a look of the dancing flames and will help you determine when it is time to start a new fire. Make sure you have glass cleaner in your kitchen to remove any smudged or tarred areas that may be present. Newspaper dipped into ash and water can be used to clean the glass if it's extremely filthy. Be careful not to scratch the glass, as scratches can weaken the glass and shatter when it is heated.

The accumulation of creosote within your chimney flue is among the main causes of chimney fires. A few millimeters of creosote can cause a fire in a chimney. Clean the flue often, especially when burning soft or pine woods produces more creosote.

Burn only seasoned, dry wood that is split in half or smaller. Also, do not burn fake wood or trash in your wood stove.

Safety

Wood stoves can release extremely toxic gases, such as carbon monoxide and particulates. These harmful gases can be absorbed into the home and cause negative health effects on children, elderly adults, or people suffering from respiratory illnesses such as COPD or asthma. Over time exposure to wood smoke may cause lung damage and heart disease.

It is important to follow the correct burning techniques for wood stoves to reduce the risk. This includes making sure the stove is operating properly and has enough power to heat the size and design of the room. Additionally, only dry, well-seasoned woods should be used in the stove. The firewood's moisture content must be less than 20%. If the moisture content of the firewood is higher the fire will burn more quickly and produce a smoky fire with more creosote on the chimney vent pipe wall.

A good draw is another essential safety feature. This can be achieved by monitoring the amount of air that flows into the firebox as well as through the chimney. The owner's guide will provide specific instructions on how you can adjust air flow in most modern stoves. Correctly operating the air controls can ensure the highest heating efficiency.

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

It is also essential to keep children out of wood stoves while the flame is burning or while the ashes are being removed. Children are naturally curious, and they might touch hot surfaces of a wood stove or place their hands in the flame. Install a child-proof fence around the fireplace, or install a fireplace screen. It is also crucial to examine the fireplace and stove regularly for signs of wear and tear.

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

Maintenance

Wood stoves can be a great way to reduce your heating expenses, but they require some extra maintenance. If you don't take care of the required maintenance the wood stove could cause a fire that is dangerous to escape the flue or chimney, and even cause an explosion in your home. It is important to clean the stove's surfaces and flue. Keep a fire extinguisher in your desk and check it frequently. Smoke detectors are also a great idea throughout the home, but they are especially useful in the area where the stove is located.

As a rule cleaning your chimney and stove at least once per year. Cleaning schedules should be adjusted in accordance with how frequently the stove is used. It is possible to clean it more frequently in winter. You should also be sure to use only seasoned and dry wood to use in the electric stove heaters. Avoid using a lot of oil or kerosene for starting the fire. These fuels can produce toxic gases and be harmful to your health.

In the course of your regular cleaning, you should examine the gaskets on your doors. They are typically made of rope-like braids which can be damaged by repeated opening and closing. If you find that the gasket is loosened you can purchase a new gasket made of fiberglass and some cement to fix it. Also, the hinges on these doors must be examined as well.

Chimneys and flues need to be inspected to ensure that they are free of creosote accumulation and obstructions. During this inspection, you should look for cracks in the chimney liner as well as any other signs of damage. Stovepipes need to be checked as well and any gaps or dents must be fixed.

It is essential to clean the glass door of your wood stove. It is easy to do this by mixing water with ammonia. A sponge or rag should be soaked with the solution and wiped across the surface of the glass until it is clean. For more difficult stains, you can leave the solution on for a couple of minutes before wiping it off again.