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

Many communities have offered financial incentives to replace wood stoves with EPA-certified models that emit less pollution. Undark discovered that some of the latest stoves may not meet EPA standards.

In an era of high energy costs, many cities are seeking to reduce wood combustion, 913875 particularly in areas where air quality is poor. Here are ten ways you can improve indoor air quality and get more heat from each log.

Efficiency

Wood stoves are one of the most efficient ways to heat your home. Modern wood stoves that are EPA-certified burn logs quickly and produce less smoke than older models. This allows you to burn a higher percentage of the potential energy from your fire in a shorter time and lower your heating costs by up to 30 percent. The efficiency of wood stoves also increases over the lifetime of the stove when you use only seasoned hardwood.

Older wood stoves are efficient at 50 percent or lower. This means that carbon dioxide and smoke are released into the air, leading to an evaporation of about half the energy potential of the fire. Modern stoves boast efficiencies of up to 85 percent or more, which is similar to the efficiency of oil and gas furnaces.

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

Modern wood stoves can reuse the byproducts of incomplete combustion to create a new fire that burns more efficiently. This process is known as reburn and can increase the efficiency of a wood stove by as much as 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 atmosphere while growing and release oxygen when they burn. Wood is also an eco-friendly resource, www.913875.Xyz particularly 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 essential for keeping homes warm. In the United States, 8.8 million households make use of wood stoves. A dirty flue pipe or 913875 stove can lead to carbon monoxide and fire dangers. Clean chimneys, stoves and flue pipes are also more efficient.

Emptying the ashes is the primary task when cleaning your wood stove. Wear gloves that are protective and wait until the stove is cool down. Select a container made of metal that will hold all of the ashes and dump it outside, away from anything that may ignite. You can also add the ashes into your compost to create a healthy addition to you garden.

While the ashes have been removed from the stove, sweep the floor to remove any dust. It is recommended to have at three feet of space between your wood stove and any combustible materials like pillows, curtains or toys. This helps to prevent the fire from getting out of control and burning these items.

For the inside of your stove a clear glass door lets you to see of the dancing flames and will help you determine when it's time to light the fire again. Make sure that you have a glass cleaner on hand to clean any tarred or smudged areas that may be present. If the glass is very filthy it is possible to make use of newspaper soaked in ash and water to wipe it down. Be careful not to scratch the glass because scratches can weaken the glass and shatter when it is heated.

Creosote build-up on the inside of your flue is the primary cause of chimney fires. A few millimeters of creosote can cause a fire to a chimney. Clean the flue frequently particularly if you burn pine or other soft woods that produce more creosote compared to other types of wood.

Burn only dry, seasoned wood that has been cut in half or smaller. Also, 913875.xyz don't burn artificial garbage or logs in your wood stove.

Safety

Wood stove burning can produce very toxic gases, including carbon monoxide and particulates. These toxins enter the home and could have adverse health effects for young people, older adults or people suffering from respiratory ailments such as asthma or COPD. Exposure to wood smoke over time can cause heart disease and cause lung damage.

It is important to adhere to proper burning practices for wood stoves to reduce the risk. This includes ensuring that the stove is operating properly and that it has sufficient heat output for the room size and design. In addition only dry, well-seasoned woods should be burned in the stove. The moisture content should be below 20%. If the moisture content of the firewood is higher it will burn more quickly and create a smoky fire with more creosote forming on the chimney vent pipe wall.

A strong draw is an important safety feature. This can be achieved by observing how much air flows into the firebox as well as through the chimney. The majority of modern stoves offer several options to alter the flow of air, and the owner's manual includes procedures. The highest efficiency in heating can be achieved if the air controls are properly operated.

The flue and chimney pipes should be free of fire-prone materials, such as drapes, paper, trash or carpets. The fires that occur in wood stoves are usually caused by inadequate clearance between combustibles wood-burning appliances and combustibles.

It is also important to keep children out of wood stoves while the flame is in progress or when the ashes are being removed. Children are naturally curious, and may try to touch the hot surfaces of a wood stove or put their hands in the fire. It is recommended to set up a childproof gate around the fireplace, or employ a fireplace screen. Additionally, it is important 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 professionally inspected once per year for accumulation of creosote and bird nests, as well as other issues that can impact the safety of your chimney or stove. This will reduce the risk of 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 expenses, but they do require a little more maintenance. If you fail to do the necessary maintenance on your wood stove, it could result in a fire that escapes the flue, a dangerous chimney fire, or even a house fire. In addition to cleaning the chimney and cleaning the stove, you need to sweep and clean the surfaces in the stove and flue. Keep a fire extinguisher on hand and test it regularly. Smoke detectors are an excellent idea for all rooms of the home, but they are especially useful in the room where the stove is located.

As a rule you should clean the stove and chimney at least once per year. The cleaning schedule should be adjusted based on the amount that the stove is used, and may need to be done more frequently in winter. It is also important to make sure to use only dry and seasoned wood for burning in the stove. It is best to avoid using a lot of oil or 913875.xyz kerosene for starting the fire, as these fuels have different burning patterns and produce toxic gases that could be harmful to your health.

You should inspect your door gaskets at the time of your regular cleaning. They are usually made of rope-like braids which can become degraded with repeated opening and closing. If you find that the gasket is loose, purchase a replacement fiberglass gasket and some gasket cement to repair it. The hinges on these doors should be inspected 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 indications of damage to the chimney lining. Stovepipes also need to be inspected and any dents must be repaired.

If you have a glass door for your wood stove, it is important to keep this clean. You can accomplish this by mixing water and ammonia. The solution is then applied to the glass using a rag or sponge. For tougher stains, you can leave the solution on for a few minutes prior to wiping it off again.