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

Many communities have provided financial incentives to replace wood stoves with EPA-certified models that emit less polluting. However, Undark discovered that some of these modern stoves may not meet EPA standards.

In the current climate of high energy costs, many cities are seeking to reduce wood combustion, particularly in areas where air quality is poor. Here are 10 strategies to improve indoor air quality, and to get more heat out of each log.

Efficiency

Wood stoves are among the most energy-efficient ways to heat your house. Modern wood stoves that are EPA-certified burn logs quickly and generate less smoke than older models. This lets you make use of a larger portion of the potential energy of your fire in a shorter amount of time and reduce your heating bills by up to 30 percent. The efficiency of wood stoves also increases over the lifetime of the stove if you use only wood that is seasoned.

Older wood stoves typically have efficiency of 50 percent or less. This means that half the potential energy generated by the fire is lost as carbon monoxide and smoke are released into the atmosphere. Modern stoves can have an efficiency of up to 85% or 913875.xyz more. This is similar to oil and gas furnaces.

Wood stoves can be improved by controlling the airflow combustion, fuel, and 913875 processes. Wood stoves that regulate the airflow are able to slow down the speed at which fire moves through the wood and permit the gases produced to remain hot and fully combust.

Modern wood stoves can recycle the byproducts from incomplete combustion to create a new fire that produces more efficient combustion. This process is called reburn and can increase the efficiency of a wood stove by up to 10 percent.

Another benefit of using wood as a source for heat is that it is considered carbon neutral. Trees absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere while growing and release oxygen when they burn. Wood is also an environmentally sustainable resource, particularly if it comes from local woodlands that are managed in a manner that encourages the growth of healthy trees.

Cleanliness

Cleaning and maintaining wood stoves is crucial to keeping homes warm. In the United States, 8.8 million households use wood stoves. A dirty stove and flue pipe could be a fire hazard and cause 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. This should be done on a cool day, when the stove isn't hot anymore and you must wear gloves that are protective when handling the ashes. Choose a container made of steel that can hold all the ashes, and then dump it outside, away from anything that may ignite. Alternatively, you can add the ashes to your compost for an organic addition to your garden.

Once the ashes have gone out of the stove, it's a good time to sweep the floor and vacuum up any dust left behind. It is also a good idea to have at minimum 3 feet of space between your wood stove and any combustible items like curtains, pillows or toys. This will stop a fire from spreading and burning the items.

Regarding the inside of your stove glass doors that are clean allow you to see of the dancing flames and will help you determine when it is time to start a new fire. Make sure that you have a glass cleaner on hand to get rid of any smudged or tarred areas that may be present. Newspapers dipped in water and ash can be used to cleanse the glass if it's extremely filthy. Avoid scratching the glass since this could cause it to shrink and break when heated.

Creosote buildup on the inside of your flue is a major cause of chimney fires. Creosote is extremely flammable, and an accumulation of just millimeters could cause a chimney fire. Clean the flue frequently particularly if you are burning pine or other soft woods that generate more creosote compared to other types of wood.

To avoid creosote vapors entering your home, only burn dry, seasoned wood that has been cut in half or smaller. Do not burn artificial trash, logs or other items inside your wood stove.

Safety

Wood stove burning can produce extremely harmful gases, including carbon monoxide and particulates. These harmful gases can be absorbed into the home, and can have negative health effects on children, older adults, and those suffering from respiratory illnesses such as COPD or asthma. Exposure to wood smoke over time can also cause heart disease and lead to lung damage.

It is important to follow the correct burning practices for wood stoves to avoid these dangers. This includes ensuring that the stove is working correctly and has sufficient heat output for the size and shape of the room. Additionally, only dry, well-seasoned hardwoods should be used in the stove. The moisture content should not exceed 20 percent. If the moisture content of the wood is higher it will burn faster and produce a smoky fire with more creosote buildup on the chimney vent pipe wall.

A well-drawn chimney is an additional important safety element. This can be accomplished by observing how much air is flowing into the firebox and 913875.xyz through the chimney. Modern stoves come with various ways to adjust the air flow, and the owner's manual has documented procedures. The best efficiency of heating can be achieved if the air controls are properly operated.

The flue and chimney pipes should be free of combustible materials, including drapes, papers, trash or carpets. The wood stove fires are often caused by an inadequate clearance between combustibles wood-burning appliances, and combustibles.

It is also essential to keep children away from wood stoves while the flame is burning or while the ashes are being removed. Children are naturally curious and might 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, 913875.xyz or use a fireplace screen. It is also important to regularly check the fireplace and wood stove for signs of wear and tear.

It is also essential to have your stove and chimney professionally inspected at least every year to look for creosote buildup, bird nests and other issues that may affect the safety of your stove. This will help avoid fires and health hazards as well as reducing the necessity for carbon monoxide remediation services.

Maintenance

While wood stoves are an excellent way to save money on home heating however, they require additional maintenance. If you don't perform the necessary maintenance, your wood stove can cause a dangerous fire to escape the flue or chimney and could even trigger fire in your home. You should also clean the surfaces of the stove and flue. Keep a fire extinguisher in hand and test it regularly. Smoke detectors are also a great idea throughout the house, but especially in the room in which the stove is.

In general it is recommended to clean your stove and chimney at least once per year. The frequency of cleaning can be altered based on how much the stove is being used, and it might require more frequently in winter. Only use dry and seasoned wood for burning in the stove. It is advised to avoid using a lot of oil or kerosene for beginning the fire, because these fuels burn differently and can generate toxic gases that can be very dangerous to your health.

When you clean your house regularly, you should inspect the gaskets of your doors. These are usually made of a braided material which can degrade over time. If you notice the gasket is loose and needs to be fixed, purchase a new gasket made of fiberglass and adhesive. The hinges of these doors should also be checked.

It is crucial to examine chimneys and flues to ensure that they are free of obstructions and creosote. During the inspection, look out for cracks or other signs of damage to the chimney lining. Stovepipes must be examined as well, and 913875.xyz any gaps or dents need to be filled.

It is essential to clean the glass door of your wood stove. This can be accomplished easily with a mix of ammonia and water. A sponge or rag should be soaked in the solution and then wiped across the glass's surface until it is clean. You can let the solution sit for a few moments before wiping it over again.