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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 emit less pollutants. But Undark found that some of these newer stoves might not be up to EPA standards.

In an era of high energy costs, a lot of cities are looking to reduce the use of wood, especially in areas where air quality is poor. Here are 10 ways you can improve indoor air quality and get more heat from 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 compared to older models. This makes it possible to use a greater portion of the potential energy generated by your fireplace in a shorter time and reduce your heating bills by as much as 30 percent. If you only use seasoned hardwood, the efficiency of wood stoves will increase over the life of the stove.

Older wood stoves generally have efficiencies of 50 percent or less. This means that carbon dioxide and smoke are released into the air, resulting in losing half of the energy potential in the fire. Modern stoves can boast an efficiency of up to 85 percent or more. This is similar to oil and gas furnaces.

Wood stoves can be made more efficient by controlling the air combustion, fuel, and processes. Wood stoves that control the airflow can slow down the speed at which fire moves through the wood and allow the gases produced to stay hot and completely combust.

Additionally modern wood stoves can recycle the byproducts of incomplete combustion into a fresh fire that is more efficient in burning. This process, known as reburn, can increase the efficiency of wood stoves by up to 10%.

Wood is also carbon neutral and carbon neutral, which is an additional benefit. As trees expand they absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen when they are burned. Wood is a resource that is sustainable for the environment, particularly when it is sourced from local woodlands that are managed in a manner that encourages healthy tree growth.

Cleanliness

With 8.8 million households using wood stoves in the United States, www.913875.Xyz [https://www.913875.xyz/7vt15-le6-i0Hm8qk-9I4q-y53t18-236] cleaning and maintenance are an important aspect of keeping your home warm. A dirty flue pipe or stove could cause carbon monoxide to build up and create fire dangers. Clean stoves as well as flue pipes and chimneys are more efficient.

Emptying the ashes is the most frequent task to do when cleaning your wood stove. This is best done on a cool day when the stove is no longer hot and you must wear gloves that are protective when handling the ashes. Select a metal container that is large enough to hold all the ashes, and then dump them in a safe place away from anything that could cause a fire. You can also add the ashes into your compost to make an organic addition to your garden.

Once the ashes have been removed from the stove, sweep the floor to remove dust. It is also a great idea to leave at least three feet space between your wood stove, and any combustible items such as pillows or curtains. This will prevent the spread of fire and burning the items.

As for the inside of your stove a clean glass door allows you to take a look of the flames dancing and can help you tell when it is time to light the fire again. Make sure that you have glass cleaner available to get rid of any tarred or smudged areas that could be present. If the glass is very dirty, you can make use of a newspaper that has been dipped in water and ash to wipe it down. Avoid scratching the glass as this can cause it to break or break when heated.

The accumulation of creosote within your chimney flue is among the main causes of chimney fires. A few millimeters of creosote may cause a fire in the chimney. Clean the flue regularly particularly if burning soft or pine woods produce more creosote.

To avoid creosote vapors entering your home, only burn dry, seasoned wood that has been split in half or smaller. Also, do not burn fake garbage or logs in your wood stove.

Safety

Wood stoves can release very toxic gases, including carbon monoxide and particulates. These toxins enter the home and could have adverse health effects for children, elderly adults or those suffering from respiratory issues such as asthma or COPD. In time, wood smoke exposure can cause lung damage and heart disease.

To reduce the risk of these issues It is crucial to follow proper wood stove burning practices. This includes ensuring the stove is working properly and has enough energy output to meet the dimensions and layout of the room. Additionally, only dry, well-seasoned hardwoods are allowed to be used in the stove. The firewood's moisture content must be less than 20%. If the moisture content of the firewood is higher, the fire will burn faster and produce smoke that is smoky and has more creosote forming on the chimney vent pipe wall.

A strong draw is an important safety feature. This can be accomplished by monitoring how much air flows into the firebox and through the chimney. The owner's manual will give specific instructions on how to alter the flow of air in most modern stoves. The best efficiency of heating can be achieved when the air controls are properly operated.

The flue pipe and chimney must be free of combustible material, such as drapes, paper or trash. The fires that occur in wood stoves are usually caused by insufficient clearance between combustibles wood-burning appliances, and combustibles.

Keep children away from wood stoves when the fire is burning or when ashes are being removed. Children are naturally curious and they may touch the hot surfaces of a wood stove or place their hands on the fire. It is recommended to put up a childproof gate around the fireplace, or use a fireplace screen. In addition, it is essential to check the fireplace regularly and wood stove for signs of wear and tear.

Lastly, it is important to have your stove and chimney professionally checked every year for creosote accumulation as well as bird nests and other issues that can impact stove and chimney safety. This will help avoid fires, www.913875.Xyz health hazards and reduce the need for smoke or carbon monoxide remediation.

Maintenance

Although wood stoves are a great way to save the cost of heating your home, they do require some additional maintenance. If you fail to do the necessary maintenance on your wood stove, it can cause a fire that escapes the flue, a dangerous chimney fire, or even an unintentional house fire. In addition to sweeping the chimney and cleaning the stove, it is essential to clean and sweep the surfaces in the stove and flue. Keep a fire extinguisher at hand and test it regularly. It's also a good idea to put smoke detectors throughout the home, Www.913875.Xyz especially one in the room that houses the stove.

As a general rule it is recommended to clean your chimney and stove at least once a year. The frequency of cleaning is dependent on how much the stove is used, and it may be required to be done more frequently during winter. Use only dry and seasoned wood to burn in the stove. It is recommended to avoid using lots of kerosene or oil for beginning the fire, because these fuels burn differently and produce toxic gases that could be extremely detrimental to your health.

When you clean your house regularly, you should inspect the gaskets of your doors. They are usually made of braided rope-like material that can be damaged by repeated closing and opening. If you find that the gasket is loose and needs to be replaced, purchase an alternative gasket made of fiberglass and adhesive. Likewise, the hinges on these doors must be examined as well.

It is important to inspect chimneys and flues to make sure that they are clear of obstructions and creosote. During the inspection, look for cracks in the chimney liner as well as any other indications of damage. Stovepipes must be examined too, and any dents or gaps need to be filled.

It is essential to clean the glass door of your wood stove. You can easily accomplish this by mixing water with 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 before wiping again.