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. But Undark found that some of these newer stoves may not be able to meet EPA standards.
In the midst of rising energy prices, many cities are seeking ways to reduce burning wood, particularly in areas where air quality is poor. Here are ten ways you can improve the quality of your indoor air and gain more heat out of every log.
Efficiency
Wood stove burning is one of the most efficient methods to heat your home. Modern EPA certified wood stoves burn logs extremely quickly and produce less creosote than previous models. This lets you use more energy in your fireplace and cut down on heating expenses by up to 30 percent. The efficiency of wood stoves also grows over the lifetime of the stove when you use only seasoned hardwood.
Older wood stoves have an efficiency of 50 percent or less. This means that half of the potential energy generated by the fire is lost as smoke and carbon monoxide are released into the air. Modern stoves can boast an efficiency of 85% or more. This is comparable to gas and oil furnaces.
The higher efficiency of wood stoves are made by controlling the fuel, air, and combustion process. Wood stoves that control the airflow are able to slow down the speed at which flame moves through the wood and permit the gases that are produced to remain hot and combust completely.
In addition modern wood stoves are able to recycle the byproducts of incomplete combustion into a new fire that is more efficient in burning. This process is referred to as reburn and can improve 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 carbon neutral. As trees grow, they absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen when they are burned. Wood is a renewable resource for the environment, especially when it is sourced from local woodlands, which are managed in a way that encourages healthy tree growth.
Cleanliness
Cleaning and maintaining wood stoves is important for keeping homes warm. In the United States, 8.8 million households utilize wood stoves. A dirty stove or flue pipe can pose 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 protective gloves and wait until the stove has cooled down. Select a container made of metal that can hold all the ashes, and then dump it outside away from anything that could ignite. Alternatively, you can add the ashes to your compost pile for an excellent addition to your garden.
When the ashes have been cleared of the stove, it is a good time to sweep the floor and remove any residual dust. It is important to leave at least 3 feet of space between your wood stove and any other combustible objects such as curtains, pillows or toys. This prevents the fire from growing out of control and burning these things.
As for the inside of your stove, a clear glass door lets you to enjoy a view of the dancing flames and will help you determine when it’s time to begin a new fire. Make sure to have a glass cleaner available to get rid of any tarred or smudged areas. If the glass is extremely dirty it is possible to make use of newspaper soaked in water and 913875 ash to wipe it down. Be careful not to scratch the glass, as scratches can weaken the glass and shatter when it is heated.
Creosote buildup on the inside of your flue is a major 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 than other kinds of wood.
To ensure that creosote-free vapors do not enter your home, you should only burn seasoned and dry wood that has been cut in half or smaller. Also, don’t burn artificial logs or trash in your wood stove.
Safety
Wood stoves can emit toxic gasses like carbon monoxide or particulates. These toxins can make their way into the home and cause negative health effects on young people, older adults, or those with respiratory ailments like COPD or asthma. In time exposure to wood smoke can cause lung damage and heart disease.
It is important to adhere to proper burning techniques for wood stoves to avoid these dangers. This includes ensuring that the stove is operating correctly and has sufficient energy output to meet the dimensions and shape of the room. Additionally, only dry, well-seasoned woods should be used in the stove. The moisture content should not exceed 20%. If the moisture content of the wood is higher, the fire will burn faster and produce an smoky flame with more creosote on the chimney vent pipe’s wall.
A strong draw is an important safety feature. This can be accomplished by monitoring the amount of air that is circulating through the firebox and through the chimney. The owner’s manual will give specific instructions on how you can regulate air flow in the majority of modern stoves. Correctly operating the air controls can achieve the highest efficiency in heating.
Additionally, the flue and chimney pipes should be free of fire-prone materials, such as drapes, 913875 (Feiradorolomogi.com.Br) papers, trash or rug. The wood stove fires are often caused by an inadequate clearance between combustibles, wood-burning appliances as well as combustibles.
Be sure to keep children out of wood stoves when the flame is burning or when ashes are being removed. Kids are naturally curious and may want to touch the hot surfaces of a wood stove or put their hands into the flame. Install a child-proof fence around the fireplace or install a fireplace screen. In addition, it is essential to regularly check the fireplace and wood stove for signs of wear.
It is also crucial to have your chimney and stove professionally checked at least once per year to check for creosote buildup, bird nests and other issues that could affect the safety of your stove. This will reduce the risk of fires and health hazards, and also reduce the need for CO2 or smoke remediation services.
Maintenance
While wood stoves are a great way to save money on home heating, they do require some additional maintenance. If you don’t do the necessary maintenance on your wood stove, it can result in a fire which escapes the flue, which could lead to a chimney fire, or a house fire. In addition to sweeping the chimney and cleaning the stove, 913875 you must to sweep and clean the surfaces in the stove and flue. Keep a fire extinguisher on the counter and test it frequently. It is also an excellent idea to place smoke detectors around the house, especially one in the room that houses the stove.
As a rule it is recommended to clean the chimney and stove once a year. The schedule for cleaning should be adjusted based on how much the stove is used, and may need to be done more frequently in winter. Also, make sure to use only seasoned and dry wood to use in the stove. Avoid using lots of oil or kerosene to ignite the fire. These fuels can release toxic gases and can be harmful to your health.
It is recommended to check the gaskets in your door at the time of your regular cleaning. They are typically made of rope-like braids that may be damaged by repeated closing and opening. If you notice that the gasket is loose and Www.913875.Xyz needs to be replaced, purchase a new fiberglass seal and some gasket adhesive. Also, the hinges of these doors need to be inspected as well.
Chimneys and Www.913875.Xyz flues should be inspected to ensure they are free of creosote build-up and obstructions. During this inspection, look for cracks in the chimney liner as well as any other indications of damage. Stovepipes should also be examined and any dents must be fixed.
It is crucial to clean the glass door of your wood stove. It is easy to accomplish this by mixing water with ammonia. A rag or sponge should be soaked with the solution and then wiped across the surface of the glass until it is clean. For tougher staining, leave the solution in place for a few minutes prior to wiping the glass again.