EPA-Certified Wood Stoves May Not Meet Your Health and
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Many communities have provided financial incentives to replace wood stoves with EPA-certified models which produce less polluting. Undark discovered that some of the latest stoves may not be up to EPA standards.
In a time of high energy prices, many cities are looking for ways to cut down on burning wood,
www.913875.xyz (
https://Www.913875.xyz/dy525-3bxfo-sd9d-qj5i5ia-6ifc9fd-1476/) particularly in areas with poor air quality. Here are ten things you can do to improve the quality of your indoor air and gain more heat out of every log.
Efficiency
Wood stove burning is one of the most efficient ways to heat your home. Modern EPA certified wood stoves burn logs extremely quickly and produce less creosote than older models. This makes it possible to use a greater percentage of the potential energy from your fire in a shorter time and reduce your heating bills by as much as 30 percent. The efficiency of wood stoves increases over the lifetime of the stove when you use only wood that is seasoned.
Older wood stoves typically have efficiencies of less than 50 percent. This means that a significant portion of the energy potential in the fire is lost as carbon monoxide and smoke are released into the air. Modern stoves boast efficiency of 85 percent or greater, which is comparable to the efficiency of oil and gas furnaces.
The higher efficiency of wood stoves are made 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 stay hot and burn completely.
In addition, modern wood stoves can recycle the waste products of incomplete combustion into a fresh fire that is more efficient in burning. This process is called reburn and can increase wood stove burning efficiency by as much as 10 percent.
Another advantage of using wood as a source for heat is that it is considered carbon neutral. Trees absorb carbon dioxide from the air as they are growing and release oxygen when they burn. Wood is also an environmentally sustainable resource, particularly if it is obtained from local woodlands that are managed in a way 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 make use of wood stoves. A dirty stove and flue pipe could be an ignition source and can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning. Clean chimneys, stoves and flue pipes are also more efficient.
The most common task associated with cleaning your wood stove is to empty the ashes. Wear protective gloves and wait until the stove is cool down. Select a metal container big enough to hold all of the ashes, and dump them outdoors away from anything that could burn. You can also add the ashes to your compost to create an organic addition to your garden.
Once the ashes have gone out of the stove, it is the perfect time to sweep the floor and
913875 vacuum up any residual dust. It is also a good idea to keep at least three feet between your wood stove and any combustible items like pillows or curtains. This will stop a fire from getting out of control and burning these items.
A clean glass door interior of your stove will allow you to see the dancing flames, and it can also help you determine when to start a fresh fire. Make sure you have glass cleaner in your kitchen to get rid of any tarred or smudged areas that might be present. If the glass is very filthy, you can make use of newspaper soaked in ash and water to clean it. Avoid scratching the glass as this can cause it to weaken and break when heated.
Creosote accumulation on the inside of your flue is the primary cause of chimney fires. A few millimeters of creosote may cause a fire in a chimney. Clean the flue frequently particularly if you are burning pine or other soft woods that produce more creosote compared to other types of wood.
Burn only seasoned, dry wood that has been split in half or smaller. Also, do not burn fake logs or trash in your wood stove.
Safety
Wood stoves emit harmful gasses like carbon monoxide or particulates. These toxins can enter your home and could have adverse health effects on older adults, children or those suffering from respiratory issues like asthma or COPD. In time exposure to wood smoke may cause heart disease and lung damage.
It is essential to follow the correct burning practices for wood stoves to reduce the risk. This includes ensuring that the stove is operating properly and that it has enough heat output to the size of the room and style. Only dry, well-seasoned and dry woods are suitable for burning in the stove. The moisture content of the firewood must be less than 20%. 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's walls.
Another important safety issue is ensuring that the stove is operating at a high draw by monitoring the amount of air flowing into the firebox and through the chimney. The owner's guide will provide specific instructions on how to alter the flow of air in most modern stoves. The highest efficiency in heating can be achieved when the air controls are operated correctly.
Additionally, the flue and chimney pipes should be kept free of combustible materials,
Www.913875.Xyz including drapes, paper, or rug. The wood stove fires are often caused by an inadequate clearance between combustibles, wood-burning appliances as well as combustibles.
Be sure to keep children out of wood stoves when the fire is burning or when ashes are being removed. Children are naturally curious, and may want to touch the hot surfaces of the wood stove or even put their hands into the fire. It is recommended to install a child-proof barrier around the fireplace or employ a fireplace screen. It is also crucial to inspect the fireplace and stove often for signs of wear.
It is also important to have your stove and chimney regularly inspected for the accumulation of creosote and bird nests, as well as other issues that can impact stove and chimney safety. This will help avoid fires, health hazards and reduce the need for carbon monoxide remediation.
Maintenance
Wood stoves can be an effective way to lower your heating expenses, but they require some extra maintenance. If you do not perform the necessary maintenance, your wood stove can cause a dangerous fire to escape the flue or chimney or even start an explosion in your home. In addition to sweeping the chimney and cleaning the stove, you must to sweep and clean the stove's surfaces and flue. Keep a fire extinguisher at the counter and test it frequently. Smoke detectors are also a great idea throughout the home, but they are especially useful in the room where the stove is.
As a rule, you should clean the chimney and stove every year. The schedule for cleaning can be altered based on how often the stove is being used, and it might require more frequently during winter. Also, make sure to use only seasoned and dry wood for burning in the stove. Avoid using lots of oil or kerosene to ignite the fire. These fuels can produce toxic gases and be harmful to your health.
During your regular cleaning, you should examine the gaskets on your doors. They are typically made from a braided material which can become degraded over time. If you notice that the gasket is loose and needs to be fixed, purchase a new gasket made of fiberglass and adhesive. The hinges of these doors need to be examined as well.
Chimneys and flues must be inspected to ensure they are free of creosote build-up and obstructions. During this inspection, look for cracks in the chimney liner as well as any other indications of damage.
