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

Many communities have provided incentives to purchase wood stoves with EPA-certified models that emit less pollution. Undark discovered that some of the newer stoves might not meet EPA standards.

In an era of high energy costs, many cities are looking to reduce wood combustion, especially in areas in which air quality is poor. Here are ten ways you can improve indoor air quality and get more heat from every log.

Efficiency

Wood stoves are among the most energy-efficient ways to heat your house. Modern EPA certified wood stoves burn logs very quickly and produce less creosote than older models. This lets you use a greater portion of the potential energy generated by your fireplace in a shorter time and lower your heating costs by as much as 30 percent. The efficiency of wood stoves grows over the lifetime of the stove when you only use seasoned hardwood.

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

The higher efficiency of wood stoves can be achieved by controlling the fuel, air and combustion process. Wood stoves that have controlled airflow can slow the speed at which the fire moves through wood, allowing the gases produced to remain hot and fully 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 boost the efficiency of a wood stove by up to 10 percent.

Another benefit of using wood as a source of heat is that it is considered carbon neutral. When trees develop, they absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen when burned. Wood is a resource that is sustainable for the environment, particularly when it comes from local woodlands managed in a way that promotes healthy tree growth.

Cleanliness

Cleaning and 913875.xyz maintaining wood stoves is crucial to keeping homes warm. In the United States, 8.8 million households make use of wood stoves. A filthy stove or flue pipe could cause carbon monoxide to build up and create fire dangers. Clean stoves, Www.913875.Xyz flue pipes and Www.913875.xyz chimneys are more efficient.

The most common task associated with cleaning your wood stove is emptying the ashes. Wear gloves that are protective and wait until the stove is cool down. Select a metal container big enough to hold all the ashes, then take them in a safe place away from anything that might cause a fire. You can also add the ashes to your compost pile for a healthy addition to your garden.

When the ashes have been cleared of the stove, it's an ideal time to sweep the floor and sweep up any dust that remains. It is recommended 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 burning the items.

Regarding the inside of your stove, a clean glass door allows you to see of the dancing flames and help you know when it is time to light a new fire. Make sure that you have glass cleaner in your kitchen to clean any smudged or tarred areas that could be present. Newspapers dipped in water and ash can be used to wash the glass if it's extremely filthy. Be careful not to scratch the glass, because scratches can weaken the glass and cause it to shatter when the glass is heated.

The accumulation of creosote in your chimney flue is one of the primary causes of chimney fires. A few millimeters of creosote can cause a fire to a chimney. Clean your flue often particularly if you burn pine or other soft woods that produce more creosote than other types of wood.

Burn only seasoned, dry wood that is split in half or smaller. Never burn fake garbage, logs, or other items inside your wood stove.

Safety

Wood stoves can release toxic gases such as carbon monoxide or particulates. These harmful gases can be absorbed into the home and cause negative health effects on children, elderly adults, and those suffering from respiratory ailments like COPD or asthma. As time passes exposure to wood smoke may cause heart disease and lung damage.

To reduce the risk of these issues to avoid these risks, it is vital to follow proper wood stove burning procedures. This includes ensuring that the stove is functioning correctly and has the right heat output for the size and layout of the room. In addition only dry, well-seasoned woods 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 create a smokier fire, with more creosote accumulation on the chimney vent pipe's walls.

Another important safety issue is ensuring that the stove is operating at a high draw by observing the amount of air that flows into the firebox and through the chimney. Modern stoves come with several options to regulate the flow of air and the owner's manual has documented procedures. The highest efficiency in heating can be achieved when air controls are operated correctly.

Additionally, the flue and chimney pipes must be free of material that could ignite, such as drapes, papers, trash or carpets. Insufficient clearance between combustibles as well as wood-burning appliances is a major cause of house fires caused by wood stoves.

Be sure to keep children away from wood stoves when the fire is burning or the ashes are being removed. Children are naturally curious, and they may touch the hot surfaces of a wood stove or place their hands in the fire. It is recommended to set up a childproof gate around the fireplace or to use the fireplace screen. It is also essential to inspect the fireplace and stove regularly for signs of wear and tear.

Lastly, it is important to ensure that your chimney and stove are professionally checked every year for the accumulation of creosote, bird nests and other issues that could affect the safety of your chimney and stove. This will help to prevent fires and health hazards, as well as reduce the need for smoke or carbon monoxide remediation.

Maintenance

Wood stoves are an excellent way to cut down the cost of heating, however they need some additional maintenance. If you do not perform the necessary maintenance, your wood stove can cause a fire that is dangerous to escape the flue or chimney, and even cause a housefire. In addition to sweeping the chimney and cleaning the stove, you need to sweep and clean the surfaces in the stove and flue. It is also advisable to keep an extinguisher on hand and test it frequently. Smoke detectors are a great idea throughout the home, www.913875.xyz but they are especially useful in the area where the stove is.

In general cleaning your chimney and stove at least once a year. Cleaning schedules need to be adjusted according to how often the stove is used. It may be necessary to clean it more often in winter. You should also be sure to make sure you use only dry and well-seasoned wood to burn in the stove. It is recommended to avoid using lots of kerosene or oil when starting the fire, since these fuels burn differently and generate toxic gases that can be very harmful to your health.

During your regular cleaning it is important to inspect the gaskets of your doors. These are often made from rope-like braids which can become degraded with repeated closing and opening. If you notice that the gasket is not sealing properly and requires to be repaired, buy a replacement fiberglass seal and some gasket adhesive. Likewise, the hinges of these doors need to be examined 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 or other signs of damage to the chimney lining. Stovepipes must also be inspected and any dents must be fixed.

If you have a glass door 913875.xyz on your wood stove, it's crucial to keep it clean. You can easily accomplish this by mixing water and ammonia. The solution should be wiped onto the glass using either a sponge or rag. You can let the solution sit for a few moments before wiping it off again.