EPA-Certified Wood Stoves May Not Meet Your Health and Safety Standards
Many communities have provided financial incentives to replace wood stoves with EPA-certified models that emit less polluting. Undark discovered that some of the newer stoves may not be up to EPA standards.
In an era of high energy costs, a lot of cities are trying to cut down on wood combustion, especially in areas in which air quality is poor. Here are 10 strategies to improve the indoor air quality, and extract more heat of each log.
Efficiency
Wood stoves are among the most energy-efficient ways to heat your home. Modern wood stoves certified by the EPA burn logs quickly and generate less smoke than older models. This allows you to make use of a larger proportion of the energy from your fire in a shorter amount of time and reduce your heating bills by up to 30 percent. The efficiency of wood stoves also improves over the life of the stove when you use only wood that is seasoned.
Older wood stoves have an efficiency of 50 percent or lower. This means that carbon dioxide and smoke are released into the air, leading to losing half of the energy potential of the fire. Modern stoves have efficiency of 85 percent or more, which is comparable to the efficiencies of gas and oil furnaces.
Wood stoves can be more efficient by controlling the airflow as well as the fuel and 5829186.xyz combustion processes. Wood stoves that regulate the airflow can slow down the speed at which the fire moves through the wood and permit the gases produced to remain hot and combust completely.
In addition, modern wood stoves are able to recycle the waste products of incomplete combustion into a new fire that burns more efficiently. This process, known as reburn, can boost the efficiency of wood stoves up to 10%.
Another benefit of using wood as a source for heat is that it is carbon neutral. Trees absorb carbon dioxide from the air as they are growing and release oxygen in return when they are burned. Wood is a resource that is sustainable for the environment, particularly when it is sourced from local woodlands, which are managed in a manner that encourages healthy tree growth.
Cleanliness
Cleaning and maintenance of wood stoves is crucial to keeping homes warm. In the United States, 8.8 million households make use of wood stoves. A dirty flue pipe or stove can lead to carbon monoxide and fire hazards. Clean stoves, flue pipes and chimneys are more efficient.
The most common task associated with cleaning your wood stove is to empty the ashes. Wear gloves that are protective and wait until the stove has cooled down. Choose a container made of metal that is large enough to hold all the ashes, and then dump them in a safe place away from anything that might burn. Alternately, you can add the ashes to your compost pile for a healthy addition to your garden.
While the ashes have been removed from the stove, sweep the floor to remove any dust. It is recommended to keep at least 3 feet of space between your wood stove and any combustible materials such as curtains, pillows or toys. This will stop a fire from getting out of control and burning these things.
As for the interior of your stove, a clean glass door allows you to enjoy a view of the flames dancing and 5829186.xyz help you know when it’s time to light a new fire. Make sure you have a glass cleaner on hand in order to clean any smudged or tarred areas. Newspapers dipped in ash and water can be used to cleanse the glass if it’s extremely filthy. Avoid scratching the glass because this can cause it to shrink and break when heated.
Creosote buildup on the inside of your flue is a major cause of chimney fires. A few millimeters of creosote may cause a fire in a chimney. Clean the flue often particularly if burning pine or soft woods produces more creosote.
Burn only dry, seasoned wood that is split in half or smaller. Also, do not burn fake wood or trash in your wood stove.
Safety
Wood stove burning can produce very toxic gases, including carbon monoxide and particulates. These toxins can make their way into the home and cause negative effects on the health of children, older adults, and those suffering from respiratory diseases such as COPD or asthma. As time passes exposure to wood smoke can cause heart disease and lung damage.
To avoid these risks It is crucial to adhere to the correct wood stove burning practices. This includes ensuring that the stove is operating correctly and has sufficient heat output for the size and shape of the room. Only dry, well-seasoned hard woods are suitable for burning in the stove. The moisture content should not exceed 20 percent. If the moisture content of the firewood is higher, the fire will burn faster and produce a smoky fire with more creosote on the chimney vent pipe’s wall.
A well-drawn chimney is an additional important safety element. This can be accomplished by monitoring the amount of air that is circulating through the firebox and through the chimney. The owner’s guide will provide specific instructions on how you can alter the flow of air in most modern stoves. Properly operating the air controls can ensure the highest efficiency of heating.
The flue and chimney pipes must be kept clear of any material that could ignite, such as drapes, papers, trash or rugs. A lack of clearance between combustibles and wood-burning appliances is a leading reason for house fires caused by wood stoves.
It is also essential to keep children away from wood stoves while the fire is burning or when ashes are being removed. Children are naturally curious, and they can touch hot surfaces on a wood stove or place their hands in the fire. It is recommended to set up a child-proof barrier around the fireplace or to make use of a fireplace screen. It is also important to regularly check the fireplace and wood stove for signs of wear and tear.
It is also important to ensure that your chimney and stove are professionally inspected once per year for the accumulation of creosote as well as bird nests and other issues that could affect the safety of your chimney or stove. This will prevent fires and health hazards and will also reduce the need for smoke or CO2 remediation services.
Maintenance
Wood stoves can be an excellent way to cut down the cost of heating, however they do require a little more maintenance. If you don’t take care of the necessary maintenance on your wood stove, it could cause a dangerous fire to escape the flue or chimney or even start fire in your home. It is also recommended to clean the stove’s surfaces and flue. It is also advisable to keep a fire extinguisher handy and test it regularly. It’s 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. The frequency of cleaning is dependent on how often the stove is used, and may be required to be done more frequently in winter. Use only dry and seasoned wood to burn in the stove. Avoid using a lot oil or kerosene to ignite the fire. These fuels could release toxic gasses and pose a danger to your health.
You should check the gaskets on your door when you clean them regularly. They are typically made from a braided substance that may be damaged over time. If you notice that the gasket is leaking and needs to be replaced, purchase a replacement gasket made of fiberglass and adhesive. The hinges of these doors should be examined as well.
It is important to inspect chimneys and flues to make sure that they are clear of creosote and obstructions. During this inspection, look for cracks in the chimney liner as well as any other signs of damage. Stovepipes need to be checked too and any gaps or dents should be repaired.
It is crucial to clean the glass door of your wood stove. It is easy to accomplish this by mixing water with ammonia. The solution should be wiped onto the glass using a rag or sponge. It is possible to leave the solution for a couple of minutes before wiping it again.
