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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 pollutants. However, Undark discovered that some of these more modern stoves may not be able to meet EPA standards.

In a time of high energy prices, a lot of cities are looking for ways to reduce the use of wood, particularly 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 from each log.

Efficiency

Wood stoves are one of the most energy-efficient ways to heat your home. Modern EPA certified wood stoves burn up logs quickly and 913875.xyz produce less creosote than previous models. This lets you use more of the energy in your fire, and reduce heating costs by up to 30%. If you only use wood that has been seasoned, the efficiency of wood stoves increases throughout the life of the stove.

Older wood stoves have an efficiency of 50 percent or lower. This means that carbon dioxide and smoke are released into the air, which results in a loss of half the energy potential of the fire. Modern stoves can achieve efficiencies of up to 85 percent or more, which is comparable to the efficiencies of oil and gas furnaces.

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

Modern wood stoves are able to recycle the byproducts from incomplete combustion to create a new fire which burns more efficiently. This process is known as reburn and can increase the efficiency of a wood stove by as much as 10 percent.

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

Cleanliness

With 8.8 million households using wood stoves in the United States, cleaning and maintenance are an important part of keeping the home warm. A filthy stove or flue pipe could cause carbon monoxide to build up and create 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 to empty the ashes. This is best done on a day that is cool, when the stove is no longer hot and you must wear gloves to protect yourself when handling the ashes. Select a container made of metal that can accommodate all of the ashes and dump it outside away from anything that could burn. You can also put the ashes into your compost to make a healthy addition to you garden.

When the ashes have been cleared of the stove, it's an ideal time to sweep the floor and 913875.Xyz remove any dust left behind. It is important to keep at three feet of space between your wood stove and any other combustible objects such as curtains, pillows or toys. This will prevent a fire from spreading and 913875.Xyz burning the objects.

Regarding the interior of your stove, glass doors that are clean allow you to see of the dancing flames and help you know when it is time to start a new fire. Make sure to have a glass cleaner on hand in order to remove any smudged or tarred areas. Newspaper dipped into ash and water can be used to cleanse the glass if it is extremely dirty. Avoid scratching the glass since this can cause it to weaken and break when heated.

Creosote accumulation on the inside of your flue is the primary cause of chimney fires. Creosote can be extremely flammable, so any layer of even a few millimeters can cause a chimney fire. Clean the flue regularly, especially if you burn pine or other soft woods that produce more creosote than other kinds of wood.

Burn only seasoned, dry wood that has been split in half or smaller. Also, 913875.xyz never burn artificial garbage or logs in your wood stove.

Safety

Wood stoves can emit toxic gases such as carbon monoxide or particulates. These toxins can make their way into the home, and can have negative effects on the health of children, elderly adults, or people suffering from respiratory illnesses such as COPD or asthma. In time exposure to wood smoke may cause lung damage and heart disease.

To prevent these risks to avoid these risks, it is vital to follow the proper methods for burning wood on your stove. This includes ensuring that the stove is operating correctly and has enough heat output to the size of the room and design. Additionally, only dry, well-seasoned hardwoods should be used in the stove. The moisture content should be below 20 percent. If the moisture content is higher it will burn more quickly and produce a smoky fire, with more creosote accumulation on the chimney vent pipe walls.

Another important safety issue is ensuring that the stove has a sufficient draw by monitoring the amount of air flowing into the firebox and through the chimney. Most modern stoves have various ways to adjust the air flow and the owner's manual has documented procedures. The best efficiency of heating can be achieved when the air controls are operated correctly.

The flue and chimney pipes should be kept free of fire-prone materials, such as drapes, paper, trash or carpets. Inadequate clearance between combustibles and wood-burning appliances is the most common reason for house fires caused by wood stoves.

Be sure to keep children away from wood stoves when the fire is burning or when the ashes are being removed. Children are naturally curious and they can touch hot surfaces of the stove or place their hands on the fire. It is recommended to set up a childproof gate around the fireplace or to employ a fireplace screen. Additionally, it is important to check the fireplace regularly and wood stove for signs of wear.

It is also essential to have your chimney and stove professionally examined at least every year to ensure there is no creosote buildup, bird nests and other issues that could affect the safety of your stove. This will help avoid fires and health hazards as well as reducing the necessity for carbon monoxide remediation services.

Maintenance

While wood stoves are a great way to save the cost of heating your home but they also require additional maintenance. If you don't take care of the necessary maintenance, your wood stove can cause a fire that is dangerous to escape the flue or chimney or even start an explosion in your home. It is also recommended to clean the stove's surfaces and flue. It is also advisable to keep an extinguisher in your house and test it often. It's also recommended to install smoke detectors throughout the home particularly in the room that houses the stove.

As a rule cleaning your chimney and stove at least once per year. The frequency of cleaning should be adjusted based on the amount that the stove is used, and it may require more frequently in winter. You should also be sure to make sure you use only dry and well-seasoned wood for burning in the stove. It is advised to avoid using a lot of kerosene or oil when starting the fire, since these fuels burn differently and can create toxic gases that can be detrimental to your health.

It is recommended to check the gaskets in your door 913875.Xyz at the time of your regular cleaning. They are typically made of a braided substance that may become degraded over time. If you find that the gasket is not tight you can purchase a new gasket made of fiberglass and some cement to repair it. The hinges of these doors need to also be checked.

It is crucial to examine flues and chimneys to ensure that they are clear of creosote and obstructions. During the inspection, look for cracks in the chimney liner, as well as any other indications of damage. Stovepipes also need to be inspected, and any dents should be fixed.

If you have a glass door for your wood stove, it is crucial to keep it clean. This can be done easily with a mix of ammonia and water. A sponge or rag should be soaked with the solution and wiped across the surface of the glass until it is clean. It is possible to leave the solution for a few minutes before wiping it again.