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 which produce less pollution. Undark discovered that some of the more recent stoves may not be up to EPA standards.

In the current climate of high energy costs, many cities are looking to reduce wood combustion, especially in areas where air quality is low. Here are ten things you can do to improve the quality of indoor air and get more heat from each log.

Efficiency

Wood stoves are one of the most energy efficient methods to heat your house. Modern EPA certified wood stoves burn logs extremely quickly and produce less creosote than previous models. This allows you to burn more of the energy in your fire, and reduce heating expenses by up to 30%. The efficiency of wood stoves also grows over the lifetime of the stove when you use only wood that is seasoned.

Older wood stoves are efficient at 50 percent or less. This means that smoke and carbon dioxide are released into the air, which results in an evaporation of about half the energy potential of the fire. Modern woodburning stoves boast efficiency of 85 percent or more, which is comparable to the efficiency of gas and oil furnaces.

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

Modern wood stoves can recycle the byproducts of incomplete combustion to create a new fire that is more efficient in burning. This process, called reburn, can increase the efficiency of wood stoves up to 10 percent.

Wood is also carbon neutral which is a further benefit. Trees absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere while growing and release oxygen when they are burned. Wood is also an eco-friendly resource, particularly when it comes from local woodlands that are managed in a manner that encourages the growth of healthy trees.

Cleanliness

Cleaning and maintaining wood stoves is essential for keeping homes warm. In the United States, 8.8 million households utilize wood stoves. 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.

The most commonly-asked task with cleaning your wood stove is emptying the ashes. Wear gloves that are protective and wait until the stove is cool down. Choose a metal container that will hold all of the ashes and dump it outside, away from anything that could burn. You can also put the ashes into your compost to create an excellent addition to your garden.

While the ashes have been removed from the bio ethanol stove, sweep the floor to get rid of any dust. It is also a good idea to leave at three feet of space between your wood stove and any combustible materials such as curtains, pillows or toys. This will stop the spread of fire and burning the objects.

A clear glass door interior of your stove will allow you to see the flames dancing, на affiliation.skipub.fr/scripts/click.php?a_aid=hdn&a_bid=01f48734&desturl=http://fireplaceandstove.co.uk и сделайте это → and it can also help you determine when to light a new fire. Ensure that you have glass cleaner available to clean any smudged or tarred areas that could be present. If the glass is very dirty it is possible to use newspaper dipped in ash and water 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 buildup on the inside of your flue is the primary cause of chimney fires. Creosote can be extremely flammable, and any layer of even a few millimeters can cause an explosion in your chimney. Clean your flue often particularly if you burn pine or other soft woods that create more creosote than other kinds of wood.

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

Safety

Wood stoves can release toxic gases such as carbon monoxide and particulates. These toxins can enter the home, and have negative health effects on children, older adults, or people suffering from respiratory illnesses such as COPD or asthma. As time passes exposure to wood smoke can cause heart disease and lung damage.

To avoid these risks It is crucial to follow the proper methods for burning wood on your stove. This includes making sure the stove is operating correctly and has the right energy output to meet the dimensions and shape of the room. Only dry, well-seasoned hard woods should be burned in the stove. The moisture content of the wood must be less than 20%. If the moisture content is higher, it will burn more quickly and produce a more smoky fire, with more creosote accumulation on the chimney vent pipe's walls.

A good draw is another important safety feature. This can be accomplished by monitoring how much air is flowing into the firebox as well as through the chimney. The owner's manual will give specific instructions on how to adjust air flow in most modern stoves. When you operate the air controls correctly, you will ensure the highest heating efficiency.

The flue and chimney pipes should be kept clear of any material that could ignite, such as drapes, papers, trash or rugs. 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 when the ashes are being removed. Children are naturally curious and may want to touch the hot surfaces of the wood stove or even place their hands into the fire. It is recommended to install a child-proof gate around the fireplace, or make use of the fireplace screen. It is also essential to examine the wood woodburner stove and fireplace frequently for signs of wear.

Lastly, it is important to have your stove and chimney regularly inspected for accumulation of creosote as well as bird nests and other issues that could affect stove and chimney safety. This will prevent fires and health hazards, as well as reduce the need for CO2 or smoke remediation services.

Maintenance

Wood stoves can be an effective way to lower your heating costs, but they do require a little more maintenance. If you don't perform the necessary maintenance the wood stove could cause a dangerous fire stove to escape from the chimney or flue and could even trigger a housefire. You should also clean the stove's surfaces and flue. Keep a fire extinguisher in your desk and check it frequently. Smoke detectors are beneficial throughout the house, but particularly in the room where the stove is located.

In general, you should clean the electric stove fireplace (click through the following page) and chimney at least once per year. The cleaning schedule should be adjusted based on how often the stove is used, and it may require more frequently during winter. Use only dry and seasoned wood to burn in the stove. Avoid using a lot of oil or kerosene for starting the fire. These fuels can produce toxic gases and can be harmful to your health.

During your regular cleaning, you should inspect the gaskets of your doors. They are typically made from a braided substance that may degrade over time. If you find that the gasket is leaking and needs to be repaired, buy a replacement fiberglass seal and some gasket adhesive. The hinges of these doors should be examined as well.

Chimneys and flues should be examined to ensure that they are free of creosote build-up and obstructions. During the inspection, look out for cracks or other signs of damage to the chimney lining. Stovepipes should also be examined and any damage should be fixed.

It is crucial to clean the glass door of your wood stove. This can be done quickly by mixing a solution of ammonia and water. The solution is then applied to the glass with an abrasive or sponge. For more difficult staining, leave the solution on for a few minutes before wiping again.