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

In a time of rising energy costs, cities are trying to cut down on wood combustion, especially in areas where air quality is poor. Here are 10 ways to improve the indoor air quality, and get more heat out of each log.

Efficiency

Wood stove burning is one of the most efficient methods to heat your home. Modern wood stoves that are EPA-certified burn logs quickly and generate less smoke than older models. This allows you to burn a higher percentage of the potential energy of your fire in a shorter period of time and lower your heating costs by as much as 30 percent. The efficiency of wood stoves improves over the life of the stove if you use only wood that is seasoned.

Older wood stoves typically have efficiencies of 50 percent or less. This means that smoke and carbon dioxide are released into the air, resulting in a loss of half the energy potential in the fire. Modern stoves can boast an efficiency of 85% or more. This is comparable to gas and oil furnaces.

The higher efficiency of wood stoves are achieved by controlling the fuel, air, and combustion process. Wood stoves that control the airflow can slow down the speed at which flame moves through the wood and allow the gas that is produced to remain hot and combust completely.

Modern wood burning stove fan stoves can recycle the byproducts from incomplete combustion to create a new flame that burns more efficiently. This process is called reburn, and can boost wood electric stove fireplace burning efficiency by up to 10 percent.

Wood is also carbon-neutral and carbon neutral, which is an additional benefit. When trees expand, they absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen when they are burnt. Wood is also an environmentally sustainable resource, wood fire stove particularly when 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 burning stove stoves in the United States, cleaning and maintenance are an important element of keeping your home warm. A dirty stove or flue pipe can cause carbon monoxide and fire hazards. Clean chimneys, stoves and flue pipes are also more efficient.

The removal of ashes is the most common task when cleaning your wood fire stove [click the up coming article] stove. This should be done on a cool day, when the stove isn't hot anymore, and you should wear gloves that are protective when handling the ashes. Select a metal container large enough to hold all of the ashes, then take them outdoors away from anything that might cause a fire. Alternately, you can add the ashes to your compost for an excellent addition to your garden.

After the ashes have been removed from the stove, sweep the floor to eliminate dust. It is recommended to have at minimum 3 feet of space between your wood stove and any combustible materials such as curtains, pillows or toys. This will stop a fire from getting out of control and burning these things.

A clear glass door that is placed on the interior of your stove will allow you to see the dancing flames, and can assist you in determining the best time to light a new fire. Make sure to have a glass cleaning solution in your kitchen to remove any smudged or tarred areas. If the glass is extremely dirty you can make use of a newspaper that has been dipped in water and ash to clean it. Be careful not to scratch the glass since scratches can weaken glass and cause it to shatter when the glass is heated.

Creosote accumulation on the inside of your flue is the primary cause of chimney fires. A tiny amount of creosote could cause a fire to a chimney. Clean the flue regularly especially in the event that burning soft or pine woods produces more creosote.

To ensure that creosote-free vapors do not enter your home, you should only burn dry and seasoned 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 gases like carbon monoxide and particulates. These toxins enter the home and could have adverse health effects on children, elderly adults or people suffering from respiratory ailments like asthma or COPD. Smoke from wood over time can also cause heart disease and cause lung damage.

To avoid these risks It is crucial to adhere to the correct methods for burning wood on your electric stove heaters. This includes ensuring the stove is functioning correctly and has the right power to heat the size and layout of the room. Additionally, only dry, well-seasoned hardwoods are allowed to be used in the stove. The moisture content should not exceed 20 percent. If the moisture content of the wood is higher the fire will burn faster and produce an smoky flame with more creosote forming on the chimney vent pipe wall.

A good draw is another important safety element. This can be achieved by monitoring how much air is flowing into the firebox and through the chimney. Most modern stoves have various ways to adjust the air flow and the owner's guide includes the procedures. The best efficiency of heating can be achieved when the air controls are properly operated.

The flue and chimney pipes must be kept clear of any combustible materials, including drapes, paper, or carpets. The wood stove fires are often caused by an insufficient clearance between combustibles wood-burning appliances, and combustibles.

Be sure to keep children out of wood stoves when the flame is burning or Wood Fire Stove when ashes are being removed. Children are naturally curious and they might touch hot surfaces on a wood stove or place their hands in the flame. Install a childproof fence around the fireplace or use a fireplace screen. It is also essential to inspect the wood stove and fireplace often for signs of wear and tear.

It is also important to have your stove and chimney professionally inspected once per year for the accumulation of creosote as well as bird nests and other issues that can impact stove and chimney safety. This will help to prevent fires, health hazards and reduce the need for carbon monoxide remediation services.

Maintenance

Although wood stoves are an excellent way to save money on heating bills, they do require some additional maintenance. If you don't do the necessary maintenance on your wood stove, it could result in a fire that escapes the flue, a risky chimney fire, or an unintentional house fire. In addition to cleaning the chimney and cleaning the stove, you need to sweep and clean the surfaces in the stove and flue. Keep an extinguisher on hand and test it often. Smoke detectors are a great idea throughout the house, but particularly in the room where the electric stove fireplace is.

As a rule you should clean the stove and chimney once a year. The cleaning schedule is dependent on how much the stove is used, and may require more frequently during winter. Make sure to use only dry and seasoned wood for burning in the stove. It is best to avoid using lots of oil or kerosene for starting the fire, since these fuels have different burning patterns and generate toxic gases that can be harmful to your health.

It is recommended to check your door gaskets at the time of your regular cleaning. They are usually made of rope-like braids which can be damaged by repeated opening and closing. If you notice that the gasket is not sealing properly and requires to be fixed, purchase an alternative fiberglass seal and some gasket adhesive. Likewise, the hinges of these doors need to be inspected as well.

It is crucial to examine chimneys and flues to make sure that they are clear of creosote and obstructions. During the inspection, look out for cracks, and other indications of damage to the chimney lining. Stovepipes must also be inspected and any damage should be fixed.

It is essential to clean the glass door of your wood stove. This can be accomplished quickly by mixing a solution of ammonia and water. The solution is then wiped onto the glass using either a sponge or rag. For more difficult staining, leave the solution in place for a few minutes prior to wiping the glass again.