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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. Undark discovered that some of the newer stoves might not meet EPA standards.

In the current climate of high energy costs, a lot of cities are looking to reduce wood combustion, particularly in areas in which air quality is poor. Here are 10 things you can do to improve the quality of indoor air and get more heat from every log.

Efficiency

Wood stoves are among the most efficient ways to heat your home. Modern EPA certified wood stoves burn up logs quickly and produce less creosote than older models. This allows you to burn a higher percentage of the potential energy generated by your fireplace in a shorter time and reduce your heating bills by up to 30 percent. If you only use wood that has been seasoned, the efficiency of wood stoves improves throughout the life of the stove.

Older wood stoves typically have efficiencies of less than 50 percent. This means that smoke and carbon dioxide are released into the air, resulting in an evaporation of about half the energy potential of the fire. Modern stoves can boast an efficiency of up to 85% or more. This is similar to oil and gas furnaces.

Wood stoves can be made more efficient by controlling the air combustion, fuel, and processes. Wood stoves with controlled airflow can slow down the speed at which the fire moves through wood, allowing the gases produced to remain hot and completely burn.

Additionally, modern wood stoves can recycle the byproducts from incomplete combustion into a fresh fire that is more efficient in burning. This process, known as Reburn, can improve the efficiency of wood stoves up to 10 percent.

Another benefit of using wood as a source for heat is that it is considered carbon neutral. The trees absorb carbon dioxide from the air while growing and release oxygen when they are burned. Wood is a renewable resource for the environment, particularly when it comes from local woodlands, which are managed in a way that promotes healthy tree growth.

Cleanliness

With 8.8 million households using wood stoves in the United States, cleaning and maintenance are a crucial part of keeping the home warm. A dirty stove and pipe could be an ignition source and can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning. Clean stoves, chimneys and flue pipes are more efficient.

The most frequent task associated with cleaning your wood stove is emptying the ashes. Wear gloves that are protective and wait until the stove has cool down. Select a metal container that is large enough to accommodate all the ashes, and dump them in a safe place away from anything that might cause a fire. You can also add the ashes to your compost for a healthy addition to you garden.

Once the ashes have been removed from the stove, sweep the floor to eliminate any dust. It is also a good idea to leave at least three feet space between your wood stove and any combustible things such as pillows or curtains. This helps to prevent a fire from getting out of control and burning these things.

As for the interior of your stove, a clear glass door lets you to take a look of the flames dancing and help you know when it is time to begin a new fire. Make sure you have glass cleaner in your kitchen to clean any smudged or tarred areas that could be present. If the glass is very dirty, you can make use of newspaper soaked in water and ash to wipe it down. Avoid scratching the glass as this could cause it to shrink and break when heated.

The buildup of creosote inside your chimney flue is one the main causes of chimney fires. Creosote is highly flammable, 5829186 which is why any layer of even a few millimeters can cause an explosion in your chimney. Clean the flue often especially when burning soft or pine woods create more creosote.

Burn only dry, seasoned wood that has been cut in half or smaller. Also, never burn artificial logs or trash in your wood stove.

Safety

Wood stoves can release extremely harmful gases, including carbon monoxide and particulates. These harmful gases can be absorbed into the home, and can have negative effects on the health of children, older adults, or 5829186.xyz (Https://www.5829186.Xyz/) those with respiratory ailments like COPD or 5829186.xyz asthma. Over time exposure to wood smoke can cause heart disease and lung damage.

To reduce the risk of these issues to avoid these risks, it is vital to follow the proper wood stove burning practices. This includes ensuring that the stove is operating correctly and has enough heat output for the space and design. Only dry, well-seasoned, hard woods should be burned in the stove. The firewood's moisture content should be less than 20%. If the moisture content of the wood is higher, the fire will burn more quickly and create a smoky fire with more creosote on the chimney vent pipe's wall.

Another important safety issue is ensuring that the stove has a good draw by observing the amount of air that flows through the firebox and the chimney. Modern stoves come with various ways to adjust the air flow and the owner's guide includes procedures. The highest efficiency in heating can be achieved if the control of the air flow is properly used.

Finally, the chimney and flue pipes must be kept clear of any material that could ignite, such as drapes, papers, trash or rug. The wood stove fires are usually caused by inadequate clearance between combustibles, wood-burning appliances, and combustibles.

Keep children away from wood stoves when the fire is burning or the ashes are being removed. Children are naturally curious, and they may touch the hot surfaces on the stove or place their hands on the fire. It is recommended to put up a child-proof barrier 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 essential to have your stove and chimney professionally examined at least once per year to check for creosote buildup, bird nests and other issues that may affect the safety of your stove. This will prevent fires and health hazards and will also lessen the need for CO2 or smoke remediation services.

Maintenance

Wood stoves are an effective way to lower your heating costs, but they need some additional maintenance. If you fail to perform the necessary maintenance on your wood stove, it can result in a fire which escapes the flue, a risky chimney fire, or even a house fire. It is important to clean the stove's surfaces and flue. Keep a fire extinguisher at hand and test it regularly. Smoke detectors are beneficial throughout the house, but especially in the area in which the stove is.

In general you should clean the chimney and stove once a year. The cleaning schedule is dependent on how often the stove is being used, and it might need to be done more frequently in winter. Only use dry and seasoned wood to use in the stove. It is advised to stay clear of using a lot of oil or kerosene for starting the fire, since these fuels burn differently and create toxic gases that can be very harmful to your health.

You should inspect the gaskets on your door during your regular cleaning. They are usually made of rope-like braids that may be damaged by repeated opening and closing. If you notice that the gasket is not tight you can purchase a new gasket made of fiberglass as well as some gasket cement to fix it. The hinges of these doors need to be inspected as well.

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

It is essential to clean the glass door of your wood stove. This can be done quickly by mixing a solution of ammonia and water. The solution is then applied to the glass with an abrasive or sponge. You can leave the solution for a couple of minutes before wiping it off again.