8 Tips To Enhance Your Wood Stove Burning Game

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 emit less pollutants. Undark discovered that some of the newer stoves may not be up to EPA standards.

In a time of high energy prices, many cities are looking for ways to cut down on wood burning, especially in areas that have poor air quality. Here are ten things you can do to improve the quality of indoor air and get 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 older models. This allows you to use a greater percentage of the potential energy from your fire in a shorter period of time and cut down on your heating bill by up to 30 percent. The efficiency of wood stoves also improves over the life of the stove if you use only wood that is seasoned.

Older wood stoves typically have efficiency of less than 50 percent. This means that half the energy potential in the fire is lost as smoke and carbon monoxide are released into the atmosphere. Modern stoves have efficiency of 85 percent or greater, which is comparable to the efficiency of gas and oil furnaces.

Wood stoves can be improved by controlling airflow combustion, 5kw multi fuel stove, and processes. Wood stoves with controlled airflow can slow the speed at which the fire moves through wood, allowing gases to stay hot and fully burn.

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

Wood is also carbon neutral and carbon neutral, which is an additional benefit. As trees grow they absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen when they are burned. Wood is a resource that is sustainable for the environment, particularly when it comes from local woodlands, which are 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 aspect of keeping your home warm. A dirty flue pipe or stove can cause carbon monoxide and fire dangers. Clean stoves, flue pipes and chimneys are more efficient.

The most common task associated with cleaning your wood stove is emptying the ashes. Wear protective gloves and wait until the stove is cool down. Choose a metal container that is big enough to hold all the ashes, then take them outdoors away from anything that could burn. You can also put the ashes into your compost for an excellent addition to your garden.

When the ashes have been cleared of the stove, it's a good time to sweep the floor and vacuum up any dust that remains. It is important to leave at least 3 feet of space between your wood stove and any combustible items such as curtains, pillows or toys. This prevents a fire from getting out of control and burning these items.

As for the interior of your stove, glass doors that are clean allow you to take a look of the dancing flames and help you know when it is time to begin an all-new fire. Make sure to have a glass cleaning solution in your kitchen to remove any smudged or tarred areas. Newspaper dipped in water and ash can be used to wash the glass if it is 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.

Creosote build-up on the inside of your flue is the primary cause of chimney fires. Creosote is extremely flammable, so an accumulation of just a few millimeters can cause an explosion in your chimney. Clean the flue regularly especially in the event that burning pine or soft woods produce more creosote.

To avoid creosote vapors entering your home, you should only burn dry and seasoned 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 release toxic gasses like carbon monoxide or particulates. These harmful gases can be found in the home and may have negative health consequences for young people, older adults or people suffering from respiratory ailments such as asthma or COPD. The exposure to wood smoke in the long run can lead to heart disease and lead to lung damage.

To avoid these risks It is crucial to follow proper wood stove burning practices. This includes making sure the stove is operating correctly and has sufficient heat output for the size and shape of the room. Only dry, well-seasoned, hard woods should be burnt in the stove. The moisture content should not exceed 20 percent. If the moisture content is higher it will burn faster and produce a smoky fire that has more creosote building up on the chimney vent pipe walls.

A good draw is another important safety feature. This can be achieved by monitoring the amount of air that is circulating through the firebox and through the chimney. Most modern stoves have a variety of ways to regulate the flow of air, and the owner's manual contains the procedures. The best efficiency of heating can be achieved if the control of the air flow is properly used.

Additionally, the flue and chimney pipes must be free of combustible materials, including drapes, paper, trash or rug. A lack of clearance between combustibles and wood-burning appliances is a leading reason for house fires caused by wood stoves.

Keep children away from wood stoves when the fire is burning or when the ashes are being removed. Children are naturally curious and might try to touch the hot surfaces of the wood stove or even put their hands into the fire. Install a childproof fence around the fireplace, or use a fireplace screen. It is also essential to examine the fireplace and stove regularly for signs of wear.

It is also important to ensure that your chimney and stove are professionally checked every year for creosote accumulation as well as bird nests and other issues that can impact the safety of your chimney or stove. This will help prevent fires and health hazards, as well as lessen the necessity for CO2 or smoke remediation services.

Maintenance

Wood stoves are an excellent way to save the cost of heating your home however, they require additional maintenance. If you fail to take care of the required maintenance on your wood stove, it could cause a fire that escapes the flue, a risky chimney fire, or even an unintentional house fire. It is important to clean the stove's surfaces and flue. It is also advisable to keep an extinguisher on hand and test it regularly. It is also recommended to install smoke detectors in the house particularly in the room with the stove.

In general it is recommended to clean your stove and chimney at least once a year. Cleaning schedules need to be adjusted in accordance with how frequently the stove is used. It is possible to clean it more often in winter. Only use dry and seasoned wood to use in the stove. It is recommended to stay clear of using a lot of oil or kerosene for beginning the fire, because these fuels have different burning patterns and produce toxic gases that could be extremely dangerous to your health.

It is recommended to check your door gaskets during your regular cleaning. They are typically made from a braided material that can become degraded over time. If you notice that the gasket is not tight and you need to replace it, buy a gasket made of fiberglass and some cement to fix it. The hinges of these doors need to be checked as well.

Chimneys and flues should be examined to ensure that they are free of creosote build up and obstructions. During the inspection, look out for cracks, and other indications of damage in the chimney lining. Stovepipes must also be inspected, and any dents should be fixed.

If you have a glass door for your wood stove, it is essential to keep it clean. It is easy to accomplish this by mixing water and ammonia. The solution should be applied to the glass with an abrasive or sponge. You can let the solution sit for a couple of minutes before wiping it over again.