EPA-Certified Wood Stoves May Not Meet Your Health and
5829186 Safety Standards
Many communities have offered financial incentives to replace old wood stoves with EPA-certified models that emit less polluting. But Undark found that some of these newer stoves may not meet EPA standards.
In the midst of rising energy prices, many cities are looking for ways to reduce wood burning, especially in areas with poor air quality. Here are 10 ways you can improve the quality of indoor air and get more heat from every log.
Efficiency
Wood stoves are among the most energy-efficient ways to heat your home. Modern wood stoves that are EPA-certified burn logs quickly and generate less smoke than older models. This makes it possible to make use of a larger proportion of the energy of your fire in a shorter period of time and lower your heating costs by as much as 30 percent. When you only use well-seasoned wood, the efficiency of wood stoves improves over the life of the stove.
Older wood stoves are efficient at 50 percent or lower. This means that smoke and carbon dioxide are released into the air, which results in a loss of half the energy potential in the fire. Modern stoves have efficiency of up to 85 percent or greater, which is comparable to the efficiency of gas and oil furnaces.
The higher efficiency of wood stoves can be achieved by controlling the air,
5829186 fuel, and combustion process. Wood stoves that regulate the airflow are able to slow down the speed at which fire is moving through the wood and allow the gases produced to stay hot and completely combust.
Modern wood stoves can recycle the byproducts from incomplete combustion to create a new flame that burns more efficiently. This process, referred to as reburn, can increase the efficiency of wood stoves by as much as 10%.
Wood is also carbon-neutral which is a further benefit. The trees absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere while growing and release oxygen when they are burned. Wood is also an environmentally sustainable resource, particularly when it comes from woodlands in the local area 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 can be an ignition source and can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning. Clean chimneys, stoves and flue pipes are more efficient.
The most frequent task associated with cleaning your wood stove is emptying the ashes. Wear protective gloves and wait until the stove has cool down. Select a metal container that is large enough to hold all the ashes, and dump them outdoors away from anything that could be able to ignite. You can also incorporate the ashes into your compost to create an organic addition to your garden.
Once the ashes have gone out of the stove, it is a good time to sweep the floor and remove any dust left behind. It is also a great idea to put at least three feet space between your wood stove and any other combustible objects such as pillows or curtains. This helps to prevent the fire from growing out of control and burning these things.
A clear glass door that is placed on the interior of your stove will allow you to see the dancing flames and it can also assist you in determining the best time to light a new fire. Be sure to have a glass cleaner available to get rid of any smudged or tarred areas. If the glass is very filthy, you can make use of newspaper soaked in ash and
5829186 water to clean it. Be careful not to scratch the glass, because scratches can weaken the glass and cause it to shatter when it is heated.
Creosote buildup on the inside of your flue is the primary cause of chimney fires. A few millimeters of creosote may cause a fire to the chimney. Clean your flue often, especially if you burn pine or other soft woods that generate more creosote compared to other types of wood.
To ensure that creosote-free vapors do not enter your home,
5829186.xyz you should only burn dry, seasoned wood that has been split in half or smaller. Also, never burn artificial garbage or logs in your wood stove.
Safety
Wood stove burning can produce extremely toxic gases, such as carbon monoxide and particulates. These harmful gases can be absorbed into the home, and have negative health effects on children, elderly adults, or people suffering from respiratory diseases such as COPD or asthma. The exposure to wood smoke in the long run can lead to heart disease and eventually lung damage.
It is essential to follow the correct burning techniques for wood stoves to avoid these dangers. This includes ensuring that the stove is working properly and that it has enough heat output for the room size and design. Additionally, only dry, well-seasoned woods should be used in the stove. The moisture content should be below 20 percent. If the moisture content is higher, it will burn more quickly and produce a more smoky fire with more creosote build-up on the chimney vent pipe's walls.
Another important aspect of safety 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 manual will give specific instructions on how you can alter the flow of air in most modern stoves. When you operate the air controls correctly, you will ensure the highest heating efficiency.
The flue pipe and chimney should be free of materials that could ignite, including drapes, paper or trash. Inadequate clearance between combustibles and wood-burning appliances is a leading cause of house fires caused by wood stoves.
It is also essential to keep children away from wood stoves while the flame is burning or while ashes are being removed. Children are naturally curious and they can touch hot surfaces of a wood stove or place their hands in the fire. It is recommended to install a child-proof gate around the fireplace or to make use of the fireplace screen. It is also important to examine the fireplace and wood stove regularly for signs of wear and tear.
It is also important to ensure that your stove and chimney are professionally inspected at least once a year to ensure there is no creosote buildup, bird nests, and other issues that could affect the safety of your stove. This will help to prevent fires and health hazards as well as reducing the need for smoke or carbon monoxide remediation.
Maintenance
Wood stoves are an effective way to lower your heating costs,
5829186.Xyz but they need some additional maintenance. If you don't do the necessary maintenance on your wood stove, it could result in a fire which escapes the flue,
5829186 which could lead to a chimney fire, or even a house fire. It is also recommended to clean the surfaces of the stove and flue. You should also keep an extinguisher on hand and test it frequently. Smoke detectors are also beneficial throughout the house, but particularly in the area in which the stove is.
As a rule it is recommended to clean the chimney and stove every year. The cleaning schedule is dependent on how much the stove is used, and may be required to be done more frequently in winter. Only use dry and seasoned wood to burn in the stove. It is recommended to avoid using lots of oil or kerosene for starting the fire, since these fuels have different burning patterns and generate toxic gases that can be very detrimental to your health.
You should inspect the gaskets in your door when you clean them regularly. They are typically made of a braided substance that may degrade over time. If you notice that the gasket is leaking and needs to be repaired, buy a replacement gasket made of fiberglass and adhesive. Also, the hinges on these doors must be inspected as well.