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

Many communities have offered incentives to purchase wood stoves with EPA-certified models that emit less pollution. But Undark found that some of these modern stoves might not be up to EPA standards.

In a time of high energy prices, many cities are looking for ways to reduce wood burning, especially in areas with poor air quality. Here are 10 things you can do to improve the quality of your indoor air and gain more heat from every log.

Efficiency

Wood stoves are one of the most efficient ways to heat your house. Modern EPA-certified wood stoves burn logs quickly and generate less smoke than older models. This allows you to make use of a larger portion of the potential energy of your fire in a shorter period of time and reduce your heating bills by as much as 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 usually have efficiencies of less than 50 percent. This means that carbon dioxide and smoke are released into the air, which results in losing half of the energy potential of the fire. Modern stoves have efficiencies of up to 85 percent or more, which is comparable to the efficiency of oil and gas furnaces.

The higher efficiency of wood stoves can be achieved by controlling the fuel, air and combustion process. Wood stoves that have controlled airflow can slow down the speed at which the flame moves through wood, allowing gas produced to stay hot and completely burn.

Modern wood stoves are able to recycle the byproducts of incomplete combustion to create a new fire that burns more efficiently. This process, referred to as reburn, can increase the efficiency of wood stoves up to 10%.

Wood is also carbon-neutral and carbon neutral, which is an additional benefit. As trees develop they absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen when burned. Wood is a resource that is sustainable for the environment, particularly when it is sourced from local woodlands managed in a manner that encourages healthy tree growth.

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 flue pipe or stove can lead to carbon monoxide and fire hazards. Clean stoves chimneys, flue pipes and stoves are more efficient.

Emptying the ashes is the primary task to do when cleaning your wood stove. This is best done on a day that is cool, when the stove is no longer hot, and you should wear gloves to protect yourself when handling the ashes. Choose a container made of steel that can hold all the ashes and then dispose of it outside, away from anything that could ignite. You can also add the ashes to your compost for an excellent addition to your garden.

While the ashes have been removed from the stove, sweep the floor to eliminate dust. It is also a great idea to leave at least three feet space between your wood stove, and any other combustible objects such as pillows or curtains. This will stop the spread of a fire and burning the objects.

Regarding the interior of your stove, a clear glass door lets you to enjoy a view of the flames dancing and will help you determine when it's time to light the fire again. Make sure to have a glass cleaner on hand in order to remove any smudged or tarred areas. Newspapers dipped in ash and water can be used to wash the glass if it is extremely dirty. Be careful not to scratch the glass, as scratches can weaken the glass and cause it to shatter when it is heated.

The buildup of creosote inside your chimney flue is one of the primary causes of chimney fires. A tiny amount of creosote could cause a fire to a chimney. Clean your flue often, especially if you burn pine or other soft woods that create more creosote than other kinds of wood.

Burn only dry, seasoned wood that has been split in half or smaller. Do not burn artificial trash, logs or other items inside your wood stove.

Safety

Wood stoves can release toxic gases such as carbon monoxide or particulates. These toxins can enter the home and cause negative effects on the health of children, older adults, and those suffering from respiratory diseases such as COPD or asthma. Smoke from wood in the long run can lead to heart disease and lead to lung damage.

To reduce the risk of these issues to avoid these risks, it is vital to follow the proper wood stove burning practices. These include ensuring that the stove is working correctly and has sufficient heat output for the room size and style. In addition, only dry, well-seasoned hardwoods are allowed to be burned in the stove. The moisture content of the firewood should not exceed 20 percent. If the moisture content of the wood is higher it will burn faster and produce smoke that is smoky and has more creosote buildup on the chimney vent pipe wall.

Another crucial safety concern is to ensure that the stove has a sufficient draw by monitoring the amount of air flowing into the firebox and through the chimney. The owner's manual will give detailed instructions on how to regulate air flow in the majority of modern stoves. When you operate the air controls correctly, you can ensure the highest efficiency in heating.

Additionally, the flue and chimney pipes must be kept clear of any combustible materials, including drapes, papers, trash or carpets. Insufficient clearance between combustibles as well as 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 they can touch hot surfaces on a wood stove or place their hands in the flame. Install a child-proof fence around the fireplace or use a fireplace screen. Additionally, it is important to check the fireplace regularly and wood stove for signs of wear.

It is also important to ensure that your chimney and stove are regularly inspected for the accumulation of creosote and bird nests, as well as other issues that can impact the safety of your chimney and stove. This will help prevent fires and health hazards as well as reducing the need for smoke or carbon monoxide remediation services.

Maintenance

Wood stoves can be an effective way to lower the cost of heating, however they require some extra maintenance. If you do not perform the necessary maintenance on your wood stove, it could cause a dangerous fire to escape the flue or chimney or even start a housefire. You should also clean the surfaces of the stove and flue. It is also advisable to keep an extinguisher in your house and test it regularly. It is also recommended to install smoke detectors in the house particularly in the room that houses the stove.

As a rule cleaning your chimney and stove at least once per year. The schedule for cleaning should be adjusted based on the amount that the stove is being used, and it might be required to be done more frequently during winter. Use only dry and seasoned wood to burn in the stove. Avoid using a lot oil or kerosene to ignite the fire. These fuels could release toxic gasses and pose a danger to your health.

You should check your door gaskets during your regular cleaning. They are typically made of a braided material which can degrade over time. If you notice that the gasket is loose you can purchase a new fiberglass gasket and some gasket cement to fix it. Likewise, the hinges on these doors must be examined as well.

Chimneys and flues must be inspected to ensure that they are free of creosote build up and obstructions. During the inspection, look out for cracks and other signs of damage in the chimney lining. Stovepipes should also be examined, and any dents should be fixed.

It is important to clean the glass door of your wood stove. This can be done quickly by mixing a solution of water and ammonia. A sponge or rag must be soaked with the solution and wiped across the surface of the glass until it is completely clean. It is possible to leave the solution for 913875.xyz; one-time offer, a few moments before wiping it off again.