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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 pollution. Undark discovered that some of the more recent stoves may not meet EPA standards.

In a time of high energy prices, a lot of cities are seeking ways to cut down on burning wood, particularly in areas that have poor air quality. Here are 10 ways to improve the indoor air quality, and to get more heat out of each log.

Efficiency

Wood stoves are among the most efficient ways to heat your home. Modern EPA-certified wood stoves burn logs quickly and produce less smoke than older models. This allows you to burn more energy in your fire and reduce your heating costs by up to 30 percent. The efficiency of wood stoves increases over the lifetime of the stove if you only use seasoned hardwood.

Older wood stoves have an efficiency of 50 percent or less. This means that smoke and carbon dioxide are released into the air, resulting in an evaporation of about half the energy potential in the fire. Modern stoves can achieve efficiency of 85 percent or greater, which is comparable to the efficiency of gas and oil furnaces.

The higher efficiencies of wood stoves can be achieved by controlling the fuel, air, and combustion process. Wood stoves that control the airflow are able to slow down the speed at which the flame moves through the wood, and permit the gases produced to remain hot and completely combust.

In addition modern wood stoves can recycle the waste products of incomplete combustion into a new one that is more efficient in burning. This process is referred to as reburn and can improve wood stove burning efficiency by up to 10 percent.

Wood is also carbon neutral which is a further benefit. The trees absorb carbon dioxide from the air as they are growing and release oxygen when they are burned. Wood is also an eco-friendly resource, especially if it comes from local woodlands that are managed in a manner that encourages the growth of healthy trees.

Cleanliness

Cleaning and maintenance of wood stoves is crucial to keeping homes warm. In the United States, 8.8 million households use wood stoves. A dirty stove or flue pipe could be a fire hazard, and could cause carbon monoxide poisoning. Clean stoves as well as flue pipes and chimneys are more efficient.

Emptying the ashes is the most frequent task when cleaning your wood stove. Wear protective gloves and wait until the stove has cooled down. Choose a metal container that will hold all of the ashes, and then dump it outside, away from anything that could burn. You can also put the ashes into your compost to make 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 remove any dust left behind. It is recommended to keep at three feet of space between your wood stove and any combustible materials like curtains, Www.5829186.Xyz pillows or toys. This will stop a fire from getting out of control and burning these items.

For the inside of your stove, 5829186 a clean glass door allows you to take a look of the dancing flames and help you know when it is time to begin a new fire. Make sure you have a glass cleaner on hand www.5829186.Xyz to get rid of any tarred or smudged areas that might be present. Newspapers dipped in ash and water can be used to wash the glass if it's extremely dirty. Be careful not to scratch the glass, as scratches can weaken the glass and cause it to shatter when the glass is heated.

The accumulation of creosote in your chimney flue is among the main causes of chimney fires. Creosote is highly flammable, so a layer of even a few millimeters can cause the chimney to catch fire. Clean the flue frequently, especially in the event that burning soft or pine woods create more creosote.

To prevent creosote vapors from entering your home, only burn dry, seasoned wood that has been cut in half or smaller. Never burn artificial logs, trash or other objects in your wood stove.

Safety

Wood stoves can emit toxic gasses like carbon monoxide and particulates. These toxins can enter the home and cause negative health effects on children, elderly adults, or people suffering from respiratory ailments like COPD or asthma. In time exposure to wood smoke can cause lung damage and heart disease.

It is crucial to adhere to proper burning techniques for wood stoves to avoid these dangers. This includes making sure that the stove is functioning properly and that it is able to produce enough heat to the size of the room and design. Additionally only dry, well-seasoned woods should be used in the stove. The moisture content should not exceed 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 walls.

Another important safety issue is ensuring that the stove is operating at a high draw by observing the amount of air that flows through the firebox and the chimney. The owner's guide will provide detailed instructions on how to alter the flow of air in most modern stoves. Correctly operating the air controls will ensure the highest efficiency of heating.

Finally, the chimney and flue pipes must be free of material that could ignite, such as drapes, paper, or carpets. The fires that occur in wood stoves are usually caused by inadequate clearance between combustibles wood-burning appliances as well as combustibles.

Keep children away from wood stoves when the flame is burning or the ashes are being removed. Children are naturally curious, and may try to touch the hot surfaces of the wood stove or even put their hands in the flame. It is recommended to put up a child-proof barrier around the fireplace or www.5829186.Xyz use the fireplace screen. In addition, it is essential to regularly check the fireplace and wood stove for signs of wear and tear.

Finally, it is essential to ensure that your chimney and stove are regularly inspected for the accumulation of creosote and bird nests, as well as other issues that could affect the safety of your chimney or stove. This will reduce the risk of fires and health hazards, and also lessen the necessity for CO2 or smoke remediation services.

Maintenance

While wood stoves are an excellent way to save money on heating bills but they also require additional maintenance. If you don't perform the required maintenance on your wood stove, it could cause a dangerous fire to escape the flue or chimney and could even trigger fire in your home. In addition to sweeping the chimney and cleaning the stove, it is essential to sweep and clean the stove's surfaces and flue. Keep a fire extinguisher at your desk and check it frequently. Smoke detectors are an excellent idea for all rooms of the house, but particularly in the area where the stove is located.

As a rule it is recommended to clean the stove and chimney once a year. Cleaning schedules should be adjusted depending on how often the stove is used. It is possible to clean it more frequently in winter. It is also important to make sure you use only dry and well-seasoned wood to burn in the stove. Avoid using a lot of oil or kerosene to start the fire. These fuels can release toxic gases and be harmful to your health.

In the course of your regular cleaning it is important to check the gaskets on your doors. They are typically made of a braided material which can be damaged over time. If you notice that the gasket is loose and needs to be replaced, purchase an alternative gasket made of fiberglass and adhesive. The hinges of these doors should be examined as well.

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

It is crucial to clean the glass door of your wood stove. You can accomplish this by mixing water and ammonia. The solution is then wiped onto the glass using either a sponge or rag. You can leave the solution for a few moments before wiping it over again.