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 produce less pollutants. Undark discovered that some of the newer stoves may not be up to EPA standards.
In these times of high energy costs, cities are looking for ways to cut down on burning wood, particularly in areas with poor air quality. Here are 10 tips to improve the quality of your indoor air and gain more heat from every log.
Efficiency
Wood stoves are one of the most energy efficient methods to heat your home. Modern EPA certified wood stoves burn logs very quickly and produce less creosote than previous models. This lets you burn more energy into your fire, and reduce heating expenses by as much as 30%. The efficiency of wood stoves increases over the lifetime of the stove when you use only wood that is seasoned.
Older wood stoves have an 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 up to 85% or more. This is similar to oil and gas furnaces.
The higher efficiency of wood stoves are made by controlling the air, fuel and combustion process. Wood stoves that have controlled airflow can slow the speed at which the flame moves through wood, allowing gases to remain hot and completely burn.
In addition, modern wood stoves are able to recycle the byproducts from incomplete combustion into a fresh fire that burns more efficiently. This process, called reburn, can increase the efficiency of wood stoves by up to 10 percent.
Another benefit of using wood as a source for heat is that it is carbon neutral. Trees absorb carbon dioxide from the air as they are growing and release oxygen when they burn. Wood is a renewable resource for the environment, especially when it is sourced from local woodlands managed in a manner that encourages healthy tree growth.
Cleanliness
Cleaning and maintenance of wood stoves is essential for keeping homes warm. In the United States, 8.8 million households utilize wood stoves. A filthy stove or Www.5829186.Xyz (More suggestions) flue pipe could cause carbon monoxide to build up and create fire dangers. Clean stoves, flue pipes and chimneys are more efficient.
The most commonly-asked task with cleaning your wood stove is emptying the ashes. Wear protective gloves and wait until the stove is cool down. Select a container made of metal that can accommodate all of the ashes and then dispose of it outside away from anything that may ignite. You can also add the ashes to your compost for an excellent addition to your garden.
Once the ashes have been removed from the stove, sweep the floor to remove dust. It is also a good idea to leave at minimum 3 feet of space between your wood stove and any combustible items like curtains, pillows or 5829186 toys. This will stop a fire from spreading and burning the objects.
A clear glass door that is placed on the inside of your stove will let you see the dancing flames and can assist you in determining the best time to start a fresh fire. Make sure that you have glass cleaner available to clean any tarred or smudged areas that may be present. Newspaper dipped into water and ash can be used to clean the glass if it is extremely dirty. Avoid scratching the glass since this can cause it to shrink and break when heated.
The buildup of creosote inside your chimney flue is among the primary causes of chimney fires. Creosote is highly flammable, which is why an accumulation of just millimeters could cause the chimney to catch fire. Clean the flue frequently especially when burning soft or pine woods create more creosote.
To ensure that creosote-free vapors do not enter your home, only burn seasoned and dry wood that has been cut in half or smaller. Also, don't burn artificial garbage or logs in your wood stove.
Safety
Wood stoves can emit toxic gases like carbon monoxide or particulates. These toxins can make their way into the home, and can have negative health effects for children, older adults, and 5829186 those suffering from respiratory ailments like COPD or asthma. Over time, wood smoke exposure can cause lung damage and heart disease.
It is crucial to follow the correct burning practices for wood stoves to reduce the risk. This includes ensuring the stove is functioning correctly and has sufficient power to heat the size and shape of the room. Only dry, well-seasoned hard woods are suitable for burning in the stove. The moisture content should be less than 20 percent. If the moisture content is higher, it will burn faster and produce a smoky fire that has more creosote building up on the chimney vent pipe walls.
A good draw is another important safety feature. This can be achieved by observing how much air is circulating through the firebox as well as through the chimney. The owner's manual will give specific instructions on how you can alter the flow of air in most modern stoves. Correctly operating the air controls will ensure the highest efficiency of heating.
Finally, the flue and chimney pipes should be kept clear of any material that could ignite, such as drapes, paper, or rugs. A lack of clearance between combustibles and wood-burning appliances is the most common cause of fires in homes caused by wood stoves.
It is also essential to keep children out of wood stoves while the fire is burning or while the ashes are being removed. Children are naturally curious, and might try to touch the hot surfaces of the wood stove or even place their hands into the flame. It is recommended to set up a child-proof barrier around the fireplace or to make use of a fireplace screen. It is also essential to examine the fireplace and stove often for signs of wear and tear.
Lastly, it is important to have your stove and chimney professionally inspected once per year for the accumulation of creosote, bird nests and other issues that can impact stove and chimney safety. This will reduce the risk of fires and health hazards, as well as lessen the necessity for CO2 or smoke remediation services.
Maintenance
While wood stoves are an excellent method of saving the cost of heating your home however, they require additional maintenance. If you don't perform the necessary maintenance, your wood stove can cause a fire that is dangerous to escape from the chimney or flue and could even trigger fire in your home. You should also clean the stove's surfaces and flue. Keep a fire extinguisher in the counter and test it frequently. It is also an excellent idea to place smoke detectors in the house, especially one in the area with the stove.
In general, you should clean the stove and chimney once a year. The schedule of cleaning should be altered according to how often the stove is used. It might be necessary to clean it more often in winter. You should also be sure to use only seasoned and dry wood for burning in the stove. Avoid using a lot oil or kerosene to ignite the fire. These fuels can release toxic gasses and pose a danger to your health.
It is recommended to check the gaskets in your door at the time of your regular cleaning. They are typically made from a braided material that can degrade over time. If you notice that the gasket is not tight and you need to replace it, buy a fiberglass gasket and some gasket cement to fix it. Also, www.5829186.xyz (https://www.5829186.xyz/mm1c-dxe40z-8rc-s6pd2e-m10mgm-1569/) the hinges of these doors need to be inspected as well.
It is important to inspect flues and chimneys to ensure that they are free of creosote and obstructions. During the inspection, check for cracks and other signs of damage to the chimney lining. Stovepipes should be inspected too and any holes or 5829186 dents need to be filled.
If you have a glass door on your wood stove, it is important to keep this clean. This can be accomplished quickly by mixing a solution of ammonia and water. A rag or sponge should be saturated with the solution and wiped across the surface of the glass until it is completely clean. For more difficult staining, you can leave the solution on for a few minutes before wiping again.