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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 emit less pollutants. However, Undark discovered that some of these modern stoves might not be up to EPA standards.

In a time of rising energy costs, a lot of cities are trying to cut down on wood combustion, especially in areas where air quality is poor. Here are 10 ways to improve indoor air quality and extract more heat of each log.

Efficiency

Wood stoves are among the most efficient ways to heat your house. Modern wood stoves certified by the EPA burn logs quickly and generate less smoke than older models. This allows you to burn a higher percentage of the potential energy from your fire in a shorter amount of time and reduce your heating bills by as much as 30 percent. If you only use wood that has been seasoned, the efficiency of wood stoves increases over the lifetime of the stove.

Older wood stoves are efficient at 50 percent or less. This means that half of the energy potential in the fire is lost because carbon monoxide and smoke are released into the air. Modern stoves have efficiencies of up to 85 percent or more, which is similar to the efficiencies of oil and gas furnaces.

The higher efficiencies of wood stoves are achieved by controlling the fuel, air and 913875.xyz combustion process. Wood stoves that control the airflow can slow down how fast the fire moves through the wood and permit the gases that are produced to stay hot and combust completely.

Modern wood stoves are able to recycle the byproducts from incomplete combustion to create a new fire which burns more efficiently. This process, known as reburn, can increase the efficiency of wood stoves by up to 10 percent.

Another advantage 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 burn. Wood is a sustainable resource 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 an essential part of keeping the home warm. A dirty stove and flue pipe can pose a fire hazard and cause carbon monoxide poisoning. Clean chimneys, stoves and flue pipes are also more efficient.

The most commonly-asked task with cleaning your wood stove is emptying the ashes. This is best done on a cool day when the stove is no longer hot, and you should wear gloves to protect yourself when handling the ashes. Choose a container made of metal that is big enough to hold all of the ashes, and then dump them outdoors away from anything that might cause a fire. Alternately, you can add the ashes to your compost pile for a healthy addition to your garden.

While the ashes are out of the stove, it is the perfect time to sweep the floor and remove any dust that remains. It is important to keep at least 3 feet of space between your wood stove and any combustible items like pillows, curtains or toys. This helps to prevent the fire from getting out of control and burning these things.

For the inside of your stove a clear glass door lets you to enjoy a view of the flames dancing and help you know when it's time to start a new fire. Make sure you have a glass cleaning solution available to get rid of any tarred or smudged areas. Newspapers dipped in ash and water can be used to cleanse the glass if it is extremely filthy. Be careful not to scratch the glass, since scratches can weaken glass and shatter when it is heated.

Creosote build-up on the inside of your flue is a major cause of chimney fires. A few millimeters of creosote may cause a fire in the chimney. Clean the flue regularly, especially when burning pine or soft woods produce more creosote.

To ensure that creosote-free vapors do not enter your home, you should only burn seasoned and dry wood that has been split in half or smaller. Never burn artificial garbage, logs, or other items in your wood stove.

Safety

Wood stoves can release toxic gases like carbon monoxide or particulates. These toxins can make their way into the home and cause negative health effects on children, older adults, or people suffering from respiratory ailments like COPD or asthma. As time passes exposure to wood smoke can cause heart disease and lung damage.

It is important to adhere to the proper wood stove burn practices to reduce the risk. These include ensuring that the stove is functioning properly and that it is able to produce enough heat for Www.913875.Xyz the space and design. Only dry, well-seasoned and dry woods should be burned in the stove. The firewood's moisture content must be less than 20 percent. If the moisture content is higher it will burn faster and www.913875.xyz produce a smoky fire, with more creosote accumulation on the chimney vent pipe's walls.

Another important safety issue 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. Modern stoves come with various ways to adjust the air flow, and the owner's manual includes the procedures. The best efficiency of heating can be achieved when air controls are operated correctly.

The flue and chimney pipes must be kept clear of any combustible materials, including drapes, paper, trash or carpets. Insufficient clearance between combustibles as well as wood-burning appliances is the most common reason for house fires caused by wood stoves.

Be sure to keep children out of wood stoves when the flame is burning or when the ashes are being removed. Children are naturally curious, and they may touch the hot surfaces of the 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 inspect the fireplace and 913875.xyz stove often for signs of wear.

It is also important to have your stove and chimney professionally checked every year for the accumulation of creosote as well as bird nests and other issues that can impact the safety of your chimney and stove. This will help avoid fires, health hazards and reduce the necessity for carbon monoxide remediation.

Maintenance

While wood stoves are an excellent way to save money on home heating however, they require additional maintenance. If you do not perform the necessary maintenance the wood stove could cause a dangerous fire to escape from the chimney or flue or even start an explosion in your home. You should also clean the stove's surfaces and flue. Keep a fire extinguisher in hand and test it regularly. It is also an excellent idea to place smoke detectors in the house particularly in the room that houses the stove.

In general, you should clean your chimney and stove at least once a year. Cleaning schedules need to be adjusted according to how often the stove is used. It is possible to clean it more often in winter. You should also be sure to make sure to use only dry and seasoned wood for burning in the stove. Avoid using a lot of oil or kerosene to ignite the fire. These fuels can produce toxic gasses and pose a danger to your health.

You should inspect the gaskets on your door during your regular cleaning. They are typically made of a braided substance that may be damaged over time. If you notice that the gasket is not tight you can purchase a new gasket made of fiberglass and some cement to repair it. Likewise, the hinges on these doors should be examined as well.

It is essential to check chimneys and flues to ensure that they are clear of creosote and obstructions. During the inspection, look for cracks in the chimney liner and 913875.Xyz (913875.Xyz) any other indications of damage. Stovepipes must be examined too and any gaps or dents must be fixed.

It is essential to clean the glass door of your wood stove. This can be accomplished easily with a mix of water and ammonia. The solution is then applied to the glass with a rag or sponge. You can let the solution sit for a couple of minutes before wiping it over again.