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. However, Undark discovered that some of these modern stoves may not be able to meet EPA standards.
In a time of rising energy costs,
Www.913875.xyz cities are seeking to reduce the use of wood, especially in areas where air quality is poor. Here are ten ways you can improve indoor air quality and get more heat from each log.
Efficiency
Wood stoves are one of the most efficient ways to heat your home. Modern EPA certified wood stoves burn logs extremely quickly and produce less creosote than previous models. This lets you use more energy in 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 wood that is seasoned.
Older wood stoves have an efficiency of 50 percent or less. This means that a significant portion of the energy potential in the fire is lost when smoke and carbon monoxide are released into the atmosphere. Modern stoves boast efficiency of 85 percent or greater,
913875.xyz (
www.913875.xyz) which is comparable to the efficiencies of oil and gas furnaces.
Wood stoves can be improved by controlling the air as well as the fuel and combustion processes. Wood stoves that control the airflow can slow down how fast the fire is moving through the wood and allow the gas that is produced to stay hot and combust completely.
Additionally modern wood stoves are able to recycle the byproducts of incomplete combustion into a fresh fire that burns more efficiently. This process, called Reburn, can improve the efficiency of wood stoves by as much as 10 percent.
Wood is also carbon neutral which is a further benefit. When trees grow, they absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen when burned. Wood is also an environmentally sustainable resource, particularly when it is obtained from local woodlands that are managed in a way that encourages the growth of healthy trees.
Cleanliness
With 8.8 million households using wood stoves in the United States, cleaning and maintenance are a crucial aspect of keeping your home warm. A dirty stove or flue pipe can pose a fire hazard, and could cause carbon monoxide poisoning. Clean stoves chimneys, flue pipes and stoves are more efficient.
The removal of ashes is the most common task when cleaning your wood stove. Wear protective gloves and wait until the stove has cool down. Choose a container made of metal that is big enough to accommodate all the ashes, and then dump them outdoors away from anything that might be able to ignite. You can also incorporate the ashes to your compost for an organic addition to your garden.
While the ashes have been removed from the stove, sweep the floor to eliminate dust. It is also a good idea to keep at least three feet space between your wood stove, and any combustible items such as curtains or pillows. This will prevent the spread of fire and burning the items.
As for the inside of your stove, glass doors that are clean allow you to take a look of the dancing flames and help you know when it's time to start a new fire. Be sure to have a glass cleaner available to remove any tarred or smudged areas. If the glass is very dirty, you can use newspaper dipped in water and ash to wipe it down. Be careful not to scratch the glass, as scratches can weaken the glass and shatter when it is heated.
The buildup of creosote inside your chimney flue is one the primary causes of chimney fires. Creosote can be extremely flammable, which is why a layer of even a few millimeters can cause a chimney fire. Clean the flue frequently particularly if you burn pine or other soft woods that create more creosote than other kinds of wood.
To prevent creosote vapors from entering your home, you should only burn seasoned and dry wood that has been split in half or smaller. Also, do not burn fake wood or trash in your wood stove.
Safety
Wood stove burning can produce very toxic gases, including carbon monoxide and particulates. These toxins can make their way into the home, and have negative effects on the health of children, older adults, and those suffering from respiratory diseases such as COPD or asthma. Exposure to wood smoke over time can cause heart disease and lead to lung damage.
It is important to adhere to the proper burning practices for wood stoves in order avoid these risks. This includes ensuring that the stove is operating correctly and has the right heat output for the size and shape of the room. Additionally, only dry, well-seasoned hardwoods should be burned in the stove. The moisture content of the firewood should not exceed 20%. If the moisture content of the firewood is higher the fire will burn more quickly and create an smoky flame with more creosote forming on the chimney vent pipe wall.
A good draw is another important safety feature. This can be achieved by monitoring the amount of air that is flowing into the firebox as well as through the chimney. The owner's guide will provide specific instructions on how you can adjust air flow in most modern stoves. Properly operating the air controls can ensure the highest efficiency in heating.
Additionally, the chimney and flue pipes must be kept free of fire-prone materials,
913875 such as drapes, paper, or rug. 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 away from 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 a wood stove or put their hands into the flame. Install a child-proof fence around the fireplace or install a fireplace screen. It is also essential to examine the wood stove and fireplace frequently for signs of wear.
It is also essential to have your chimney and stove professionally checked at least every year to ensure there is no creosote buildup, bird nests, and other problems which can affect the safety of your stove. This will prevent fires and health hazards and also reduce the necessity for CO2 or smoke remediation services.
Maintenance
Although wood stoves are a great way to save money on home heating but they also require additional maintenance. If you don't perform the necessary maintenance on your wood stove,
913875 (
www.913875.Xyz) it could result in a fire that escapes the flue, a risky chimney fire, or even a house fire. In addition to cleaning the chimney and cleaning the stove, you must to sweep and clean the surfaces in the stove and flue. It is also advisable to keep an extinguisher in your house and test it often. Smoke detectors are also beneficial throughout the home, but they are especially useful in the room in which the stove is.
In general, you should clean your chimney and stove at least once per year. The schedule of cleaning should be altered depending on how often the stove is used. It might be necessary to clean it more frequently in winter. Make sure to use only dry and seasoned wood to use in the stove. It is recommended to avoid using lots of kerosene or oil when beginning the fire, because these fuels burn differently and create toxic gases that can be extremely harmful to your health.
In the course of your regular cleaning it is important to inspect the gaskets of your doors. These are often made from braided rope-like material that can be damaged by repeated closing and opening. If you find that the gasket is loosened and you need to replace it, buy a fiberglass gasket and some gasket cement to repair it. The hinges of these doors should be inspected as well.