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 emit less pollution. Undark discovered that some of the latest stoves may not meet EPA standards.
In the midst of rising energy costs, cities are looking for ways to cut down on burning wood, particularly in areas that have poor air quality. Here are 10 strategies to improve the indoor air quality, and extract more heat of each log.
Efficiency
Wood stoves are one of the most efficient methods to heat your home. Modern EPA certified wood stoves burn logs very quickly and produce less creosote compared to older models. This makes it possible to make use of a larger proportion of the energy from your fire in a shorter time and reduce your heating bills by as much as 30 percent. If you use only seasoned hardwood the efficiency of wood stoves improves over the life of the stove.
Older wood stoves are efficient at 50 percent or less. This means that half the potential energy in the fire is lost when carbon monoxide and smoke are released into the air. Modern stoves can have an efficiency of 85% or
Www.5829186.Xyz more. This is similar to oil and gas furnaces.
The higher efficiency of wood stoves can be achieved by controlling the air,
5829186.Xyz fuel and combustion process. Wood stoves that have controlled airflow can slow the speed at which the fire moves through wood, allowing the gas produced to remain hot and burn completely.
Additionally, modern wood stoves are able to recycle the waste products of incomplete combustion into a new one that is more efficient in burning. This process is known as reburn, and can boost the efficiency of a wood stove by up to 10 percent.
Wood is also carbon-neutral, which is another advantage. The trees absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere while growing and release oxygen when they are burned. Wood is also an eco-friendly resource, particularly when it is obtained from local woodlands that are managed in a manner that encourages the growth of healthy trees.
Cleanliness
With 8.8 million households that use wood stoves in the United States, cleaning and maintenance are an important part of keeping the home warm. A dirty stove or flue pipe could be a fire hazard and cause carbon monoxide poisoning. Clean chimneys, stoves and flue pipes are also more efficient.
Cleaning the ashes is the most frequent task you can do when cleaning your wood stove. This should be done on a cool day,
5829186.xyz when the stove isn't as hot, and you should wear gloves to protect yourself when handling the ashes. Select a metal container that is large enough to hold all the ashes, then take them outdoors away from anything that could cause a fire. You can also put the ashes to your compost to make an excellent addition to your garden.
While the ashes have been removed from the stove, you can sweep the floor to remove dust. It is also a good idea to leave 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.
As for the inside of your stove, glass doors that are clean allow you to enjoy a view of the flames dancing and can help you tell when it's time to begin the fire again. Make sure you have a glass cleaning solution on hand in order to clean any smudged or tarred areas. Newspapers dipped in water and ash can be used to cleanse the glass if it's extremely dirty. Avoid scratching the glass since this could cause it to shrink and break when heated.
Creosote accumulation on the inside of your flue is a major
5829186.xyz cause of chimney fires. Creosote can be extremely flammable, and a layer of even one millimeter can trigger a chimney fire. Clean the flue often, especially when burning pine or soft woods create more creosote.
To prevent creosote vapors from entering your home, you should only burn dry and seasoned wood that has been cut in half or smaller. Also, do not burn fake garbage or logs in your wood stove.
Safety
Wood stoves emit harmful gases like carbon monoxide or particulates. These toxins can enter your home and could have adverse health effects on children, elderly adults or those with respiratory conditions like asthma or COPD. Smoke from wood over time can cause heart disease and eventually lung damage.
It is important to adhere to the proper wood stove burn practices to reduce the risk. This includes ensuring that the stove is working properly and has enough energy output to meet the dimensions and layout of the room. Only dry, well-seasoned and dry woods should be burned in the stove. The moisture content should not exceed 20%. If the moisture content of the firewood is higher, the fire will burn more quickly and produce a smoky fire with more creosote on the chimney vent pipe wall.
A strong draw is an important safety feature. This can be accomplished by monitoring the amount of air that flows into the firebox as well as through the chimney. The owner's guide will provide specific instructions on how to adjust air flow in most modern stoves. The highest efficiency in heating can be achieved when air controls are operated correctly.
The flue and chimney pipes must be free of combustible materials, including drapes, paper, or rugs. The fires that occur in wood stoves are often caused by an insufficient clearance between combustibles wood-burning appliances, and combustibles.
It is also essential to keep children away from wood stoves while the fire is in progress or when the ashes are being removed. Kids are naturally curious and may try to touch the hot surfaces of a wood stove, or put their hands in the flame. Install a child-proof fence around the fireplace or install a fireplace screen. It is also essential to inspect the fireplace and stove frequently for signs of wear.
Finally, it is essential to have your stove and chimney professionally checked every year for accumulation of creosote as well as bird nests and other issues that can impact the safety of your chimney or stove. This will help avoid fires and health hazards, as well as reduce the need for smoke or carbon monoxide remediation.
Maintenance
Wood stoves can be an excellent way to cut down your heating costs, but they require some extra maintenance. If you do not perform the required maintenance, your wood stove can cause a fire that is dangerous to escape the flue or chimney and could even trigger an explosion in your home. You should also clean the stove's surfaces and flue. It is also advisable to keep an extinguisher on hand and
5829186.xyz test it frequently. It's also recommended to install smoke detectors around the house particularly in the room that houses the stove.
As a rule cleaning your chimney and stove at least once a year. Cleaning schedules need to be adjusted depending on how often the stove is used. It may be necessary to clean it more frequently in winter. Make sure to use only dry and seasoned wood to use in the stove. Avoid using lots of oil or kerosene to ignite the fire. These fuels can release toxic gasses and pose a danger to your health.
When you clean your house regularly and maintenance, be sure to inspect the gaskets of your doors. These are often made from braided rope-like material that can become degraded with repeated closing and opening. If you notice that the gasket is not sealing properly and requires to be replaced, purchase an alternative fiberglass seal and some gasket adhesive. Likewise, the hinges on these doors must be examined as well.
It is essential to check chimneys and flues to ensure that they are clear of obstructions and creosote.