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EPA-Certified Wood Stoves May Not Meet Your Health and Safety Standards

Many communities have offered incentives to purchase wood stoves with EPA-certified models that produce less polluting. 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 trying to cut down on the use of wood, especially in areas where air quality is poor. Here are 10 strategies to improve the indoor air quality and to get more heat out of each log.

Efficiency

Wood stoves are one of the most efficient methods to heat your home. Modern EPA certified wood stoves burn logs extremely quickly and produce less creosote than older models. This allows you to burn more energy into your fire and reduce your heating expenses by up to 30%. The efficiency of wood stoves also improves over the life of the stove if you use only seasoned hardwood.

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 in the fire. Modern stoves can achieve efficiencies of up to 85 percent or greater, which is comparable to the efficiencies of gas and oil furnaces.

The higher efficiencies of wood stoves can be achieved by controlling the air, fuel, and combustion process. Wood stoves with controlled airflow can slow the speed at which the fire moves through wood, allowing the gases produced to remain hot and completely burn.

In addition modern wood stoves can recycle the byproducts of incomplete combustion into a new fire that produces more efficient combustion. This process, known as Reburn, can improve the efficiency of wood stoves by as much as 10%.

Another benefit of using wood as a source for heat is that it is considered carbon neutral. As trees grow, they absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen when they are burned. Wood is also an environmentally sustainable resource, especially if it is obtained from local woodlands that are managed in a way that encourages the growth of healthy trees.

Cleanliness

Cleaning and maintenance of wood stoves is essential for keeping homes warm. In the United States, 8.8 million households use wood stoves. A filthy stove or flue pipe can cause carbon monoxide and fire hazards. Clean stoves chimneys, flue pipes and stoves are more efficient.

The most commonly-asked task with cleaning your wood stove is to empty the ashes. This is best done on a day that is cool, when the stove isn't as hot, and you should wear gloves that are protective when handling the ashes. Choose a metal container that is large enough to hold all of the ashes, and dump them outside away from anything that could burn. You can also incorporate the ashes into your compost to make an organic addition to your garden.

While the ashes have been removed from the stove, sweep the floor to eliminate dust. It is important to have at least 3 feet of space between your wood stove and any combustible materials such as curtains, pillows or toys. This will stop the spread of a fire and burning the objects.

A clear glass door inside of your stove will allow you to see the dancing flames and it can also aid you in determining when to light a new fire. Make sure that you have glass cleaner in your kitchen to clean any tarred or smudged areas that might be present. If the glass is extremely dirty, you can use newspaper dipped in water and ash to clean it. Be careful not to scratch the glass since scratches can weaken glass and shatter when it 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 the chimney to catch fire. Clean the flue regularly, especially when burning pine or soft woods create more creosote.

To prevent creosote vapors from entering your home, you should only burn dry, seasoned wood that has been split in half or smaller. Do not burn artificial garbage, logs, or other items inside 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 for young people, older adults, and those suffering from respiratory diseases such as COPD or asthma. As time passes exposure to wood smoke may cause lung damage and heart disease.

To avoid these risks It is crucial to follow the proper methods for burning wood on your stove. This includes making sure that the stove is functioning correctly and has sufficient heat output to the size of the room and design. Additionally only dry, well-seasoned woods should be burned in the stove. The firewood's moisture content should not exceed 20%. If the moisture content of the firewood is higher it will burn more quickly and create an smoky flame with more creosote forming on the chimney vent pipe's wall.

A strong draw is an important safety element. This can be achieved by observing how much air flows into the firebox as well as through the chimney. The owner's guide will provide detailed instructions on how to alter the flow of air in most modern stoves. Properly operating the air controls can ensure the highest efficiency in heating.

The chimney and flue pipe must be free of fire-prone materials, like drapes, paper or trash. A lack of clearance between combustibles and wood-burning appliances is a leading cause of fires in homes caused by wood stoves.

Be sure to keep children out of wood stoves while the fire is burning or when ashes are being removed. Children are naturally curious, and they might touch hot surfaces of the wood stove or put their hands on the fire. Install a childproof fence around the fireplace, or install a fireplace screen. It is also essential to examine the fireplace and wood stove often for signs of wear.

It is also crucial to have your chimney and stove professionally examined at least once a year to check for creosote buildup, Www.913875.Xyz bird nests, and other issues that could affect the safety of your stove. This will help avoid fires and health hazards as well as reducing the necessity for carbon monoxide remediation.

Maintenance

Although wood stoves are an excellent way to save money on home heating, they do require some additional maintenance. If you don't perform the necessary maintenance on your wood stove, Www.913875.xyz it could cause a dangerous fire to escape the flue or chimney or even start a housefire. In addition to sweeping the chimney and cleaning the stove, you need to sweep and clean the surfaces in the stove and flue. You should also keep a fire extinguisher handy and test it often. It's also a good idea to put smoke detectors throughout the home, especially one in the room with the stove.

As a general rule cleaning your chimney and stove at least once per year. The cleaning schedule is dependent on how much the stove is being used, 913875 (http://E-Blt.Com) and it might be required to be done more frequently during winter. You should also be sure to use only seasoned and dry wood to burn in the stove. It is best to avoid using a lot of kerosene or oil when beginning the fire, because these fuels burn differently and can create toxic gases that can be harmful to your health.

You should inspect the gaskets on your door at the time of your regular cleaning. They are typically made of braided rope-like material that can become degraded with repeated closing and opening. If you find that the gasket is loosened and you need to replace it, buy a gasket made of fiberglass and some cement to repair it. The hinges of these doors must be inspected as well.

It is essential to check chimneys and flues to ensure that they are clear of creosote and obstructions. During the inspection, look for cracks, and other indications of damage in the chimney lining. Stovepipes should also be examined and any dents must be fixed.

If you have a glass door on your wood stove, it's essential to keep it clean. This can be accomplished quickly by mixing a solution of water and ammonia. The solution is then wiped onto the glass using a rag or sponge. You can let the solution sit for a couple of minutes before wiping it over again.