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 pollution. Undark discovered that some of the more recent stoves may not be up to EPA standards.
In a time of rising energy costs, cities are looking to reduce the use of wood, especially in areas where air quality is low. Here are ten tips to improve the quality of your indoor air and gain more heat from every log.
Efficiency
Wood stoves are among the most energy efficient methods to heat your house. Modern EPA certified wood stoves burn up logs quickly and produce less creosote than older models. This lets you make use of a larger percentage of the potential energy of your fire in a shorter period of time and lower your heating costs by up to 30 percent. The efficiency of wood stoves increases over the lifetime of the stove if 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 as carbon monoxide and smoke are released into the atmosphere. Modern stoves can boast an efficiency of up to 85% or more. This is comparable to gas and oil furnaces.
Wood stoves can be made more efficient by controlling the air, fuel, and combustion processes. Wood stoves that have controlled airflow can slow down the speed at which the flame moves through wood, allowing gases to remain hot and burn completely.
Additionally modern wood stoves are able to recycle the byproducts of incomplete combustion into a new fire that is more efficient in burning. This process is called reburn, and can boost the efficiency of a wood stove by as much as 10 percent.
Another advantage of using wood as a source for heat is that it is carbon neutral. Trees absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere while growing and release oxygen when they are burned. Wood is also an environmentally sustainable resource, especially if it comes from local woodlands that are managed in a way that encourages the growth of healthy trees.
Cleanliness
Cleaning and maintenance of wood stoves is crucial to keeping homes warm. In the United States, 8.8 million households utilize wood stoves. A dirty stove or flue pipe could be an ignition source and can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning. Clean stoves, chimneys and flue pipes are more efficient.
The most common task associated with cleaning your wood stove is emptying the ashes. This should be done on a cool day, when the stove isn't as hot, and you should wear protective gloves when handling the ashes. Select a metal container big enough to hold all of the ashes, and then dump them outside away from anything that might cause a fire. You can also add the ashes into your compost for an excellent addition to your garden.
While the ashes are out of the stove, it's an ideal time to sweep the floor and vacuum up any dust left behind. It is also a good idea to keep at three feet of space between your wood stove and any other combustible objects like pillows, curtains or toys. This will stop a fire from spreading and burning the items.
A clean glass door on the interior of your stove will allow you to see the dancing flames, and can aid you in determining when to start a fresh fire. Make sure you have glass cleaner available to remove any smudged or tarred areas that might be present. If the glass is extremely dirty, you can use newspaper dipped in ash and water to clean it. Avoid scratching the glass because this could cause it to shrink and break when heated.
Creosote build-up on the inside of your flue is a major cause of chimney fires. A tiny amount of creosote could cause a fire in a chimney. Clean your flue often, especially if you burn pine or other soft woods that create more creosote than other types of wood.
To prevent creosote vapors from entering your home, only burn dry and
www.5829186.Xyz seasoned wood that has been split in half or smaller. Never burn artificial garbage, logs,
5829186.xyz or other items in your wood stove.
Safety
Wood stoves can release extremely toxic gases, such as carbon monoxide and particulates. These toxins can enter the home, and have negative health effects for
5829186 children, older adults, or those with respiratory illnesses such as COPD or asthma. Smoke from wood over time can also cause heart disease and cause lung damage.
It is essential to adhere to proper wood stove burn practices to avoid these dangers. This includes ensuring that the stove is operating properly and that it has enough heat output to the size of the room and design. In addition only dry, well-seasoned hardwoods should be burned in the stove. The moisture content should be less than 20 percent. If the moisture content is higher, it will burn more quickly and produce a more smoky fire that has more creosote building up on the chimney vent pipe's walls.
A well-drawn chimney is an additional important safety element. This can be accomplished by monitoring the amount of air that is circulating through the firebox and through the chimney. Modern stoves come with several options to regulate the flow of air, and the owner's manual includes procedures. Properly operating the air controls can ensure the highest heating efficiency.
Finally, the chimney and flue pipes must be free of material that could ignite, such as drapes, paper, or carpets. Inadequate clearance between combustibles and wood-burning appliances is the most common cause of fires in homes caused by wood stoves.
Be sure to keep children away from wood stoves while the fire is burning or the ashes are being removed. Children are naturally curious and may try to touch the hot surfaces of a wood stove or place their hands into the fire. It is recommended to set up a childproof gate around the fireplace or make use of a fireplace screen. It is also essential to check the fireplace and stove often for signs of wear and tear.
Finally, it is essential to have your stove and chimney professionally checked every year for
5829186 creosote accumulation, bird nests and other issues that can impact stove and chimney safety. This will help prevent fires, health hazards and reduce the need for smoke or carbon monoxide remediation services.
Maintenance
Wood stoves are an excellent way to cut down the cost of heating, however they require some extra maintenance. If you don't perform the necessary maintenance on your wood stove, it can result in a fire that escapes the flue, a dangerous chimney fire, or an unintentional house fire. In addition to sweeping the chimney and cleaning the stove, you need to clean and sweep the surfaces in the stove and flue. Keep a fire extinguisher in your desk and check it frequently. Smoke detectors are an excellent idea for all rooms of the home, but they are especially useful in the room where the stove is.
In general,
5829186 you should clean your chimney and stove at least once per year. The cleaning schedule is dependent on how much the stove is used, and may need to be done more frequently in winter. Use only dry and seasoned wood to use in the stove. Avoid using a lot oil or kerosene to ignite the fire. These fuels can release toxic gases and be harmful to your health.
You should inspect your door gaskets during your regular cleaning. These are usually made of a braided material that can be damaged over time. If you find that the gasket is loose and needs to be replaced, 5829186 (
www.5829186.xyz) purchase a new gasket seal made of fiberglass and adhesive. Also, the hinges of these doors need to be checked as well.
It is important to inspect flues and chimneys to ensure that they are clear of creosote and obstructions. During the inspection, check for cracks or other signs of damage to the chimney lining. Stovepipes need to be checked as well, and any gaps or dents should be repaired.
If you have a glass door on your wood stove, it is crucial to keep it clean. This can be done quickly by mixing a solution of ammonia and water. The solution should be wiped onto the glass using either a sponge or rag. You can let the solution sit for a couple of minutes before wiping it again.
