The Reason Wood Stove Burning Is Fast Becoming The Most Popular Trend …

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

Many communities have provided financial incentives to replace old wood stoves with EPA certified models that produce less pollution. But Undark discovered that some of these newer stoves may not be able to meet EPA standards.

In an era of high energy costs, many cities are seeking to reduce the use of wood, especially in areas where air quality is low. Here are 10 things you can do to improve the quality of your indoor air and gain more heat from each log.

Efficiency

Wood stoves are one of the most efficient methods to heat your home. Modern wood stoves certified by the EPA burn logs quickly and generate less smoke than older models. This lets you use more energy in your fire and reduce your heating costs by up to 30%. When you only use seasoned hardwood the efficiency of wood stoves improves over the life of the stove.

Older wood stoves have an efficiency of 50 percent or less. This means that smoke and carbon dioxide are released into the air, which results in losing half of the energy potential in the fire. Modern stoves can have 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 with controlled airflow can slow the speed at which the fire moves through the wood, allowing gas produced to remain hot and completely burn.

Modern wood stoves can also reuse the byproducts of incomplete combustion to create a new fire that is more efficient in burning. This process is called reburn and can improve wood stove burning efficiency by up to 10 percent.

Another benefit of using wood burning stoves as a source for heat is that it is carbon neutral. As trees expand they absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen when burnt. Wood is also an environmentally sustainable resource, especially if it comes from local woodlands that are managed in a way that encourages the growth of healthy trees.

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 flue pipe or stove can lead to carbon monoxide and fire dangers. Clean stoves as well as flue pipes and chimneys are more efficient.

The most commonly-asked task with cleaning your wood stove is emptying the ashes. Wear gloves that are protective and wait until the stove is cool down. Choose a container made of metal that is big enough to accommodate all the ashes, and then dump them in a safe place away from anything that could burn. Alternately, you can add the ashes to your compost pile for a healthy addition to your garden.

Once the ashes have gone out of the stove, it's an ideal time to sweep the floor and sweep up any residual dust. It is also a good idea to keep at least three feet space between your wood stove and any other combustible objects like pillows or curtains. This will prevent the spread of fire and burning the objects.

For the inside of your stove, a clean glass door allows you to enjoy a view of the dancing flames and help you know when it's time to light an all-new fire. Be sure to have a glass cleaning solution available to get rid of any smudged or tarred areas. If the glass is extremely filthy you can make use of newspaper soaked in water and ash to wipe it down. Avoid scratching the glass because this can cause it to weaken and break when heated.

The buildup of creosote inside your chimney flue is among the primary causes of chimney fires. Creosote is highly flammable, so any layer of even one millimeter can trigger a chimney fire. Clean the flue regularly particularly if burning soft or pine woods create more creosote.

Burn only dry, seasoned small wood stove; visit the up coming site, that is split in half or smaller. Also, do not burn fake wood or trash in your wood stove.

Safety

Wood stoves can release very toxic gases, including carbon monoxide and particulates. These toxins can enter your home and may have negative health consequences for children, elderly adults or those with respiratory conditions like asthma or COPD. Exposure to wood smoke in the long run can lead to heart disease and cause lung damage.

To reduce the risk of these issues, it is essential to follow proper methods for burning wood on your stove. These include ensuring that the stove is operating correctly and is able to produce enough heat for the room size and style. Only dry, well-seasoned hard woods are suitable for burning in the stove. The moisture content should be below 20 percent. If the moisture content of the firewood is higher, the fire will burn faster and produce a smoky fire with more creosote buildup on the chimney vent pipe wall.

A strong draw is an essential safety feature. This can be accomplished by monitoring how much air is flowing into the firebox as well as through the chimney. The majority of modern stoves offer several options to adjust the air flow and the owner's guide includes procedures. Correctly operating the air controls will ensure the highest heating efficiency.

The flue pipe and chimney must be free of all combustible material, such as drapes, paper or trash. The wood stove fires are often caused by an insufficient clearance between combustibles wood-burning appliances and combustibles.

Be sure to keep children away from wood stoves while the fire is burning or the ashes are being removed. Children are naturally curious and may try to touch the hot surfaces of a wood multifuel stove, or put their hands in the fire. It is recommended to install a child-proof barrier around the fireplace, or use the fireplace screen. It is also important to check the fireplace regularly and wood stove for signs of wear.

Finally, it is essential to have your stove and chimney professionally inspected once per year for accumulation of creosote, 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 need for carbon monoxide remediation.

Maintenance

Although wood stoves are a great way to save money on heating bills but they also require additional maintenance. If you don't perform the necessary maintenance on your wood stove, it can cause a fire that escapes the flue, a risky chimney fire, or a house fire. It is also recommended to clean the surfaces of the stove and flue. It is also advisable to keep a fire extinguisher handy and test it frequently. Smoke detectors are also a great idea throughout the home, but they are especially useful in the room where the stove is.

In general it is recommended to clean your chimney and stove at least once per year. The schedule for cleaning can be altered based on how much the stove is being used, and it might require more frequently during winter. Make sure to use only dry and seasoned wood for burning in the stove. Avoid using a lot of oil or kerosene for starting the fire. These fuels could release toxic gases and be harmful to your health.

In the course of your regular cleaning, you should inspect the gaskets of your doors. These are usually made of a braided material that can degrade over time. If you find that the gasket is loose and you need to replace it, buy a gasket made of fiberglass as well as some gasket cement to repair it. The hinges of these doors should also be checked.

It is crucial to examine chimneys and flues to make sure that they are clear of creosote and obstructions. During this inspection, look for cracks in the chimney liner and any other signs of damage. Stovepipes should also be examined, and any dents should be fixed.

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