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

Many communities have offered financial incentives to replace old wood stoves with EPA-certified models that produce less polluting. However, Undark discovered that some of these newer 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 cut down on the use of wood, particularly in areas where air quality is poor. Here are 10 ways to improve indoor air quality and get more heat out of each log.

Efficiency

Wood stoves are among the most energy efficient methods to heat your house. Modern EPA certified wood stoves burn logs very quickly and produce less creosote than older models. This lets you burn more of the energy in your fire and reduce your heating expenses by as much as 30 percent. The efficiency of wood stoves grows over the lifetime of the stove if you only use seasoned hardwood.

Older wood stoves usually have efficiency of 50 percent or less. This means that smoke and 5829186 carbon dioxide are released into the air, leading to an evaporation of about half the energy potential in the fire. Modern stoves have efficiencies of up to 85 percent or more, which is comparable to the efficiency of oil and gas furnaces.

The higher efficiency of wood stoves are 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 the wood, 5829186 allowing gas produced to stay hot and fully burn.

Additionally modern wood stoves are able to recycle the byproducts from incomplete combustion into a fresh fire that burns more efficiently. This process, referred to as reburn, can increase the efficiency of wood stoves up to 10 percent.

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

Cleanliness

Cleaning and maintaining wood stoves is essential for keeping homes warm. In the United States, 8.8 million households make use of wood stoves. A dirty stove and flue pipe can be a fire hazard and cause carbon monoxide poisoning. Clean stoves, flue pipes and chimneys are more efficient.

Cleaning the ashes is the primary task you can do when cleaning your wood stove. Wear protective gloves and wait until the stove is cool down. Select a container made of metal that will hold all of the ashes, and then dump it outside, away from anything that could ignite. Alternately, you can add the ashes to your compost pile for an excellent addition to your garden.

Once the ashes have been removed from the stove, sweep the floor to get rid of dust. It is also a good idea to keep at least three feet space between your wood stove and any combustible things such as curtains or pillows. This prevents a fire from getting out of control and burning these items.

A clean glass door on the inside of your stove will let you see the dancing flames and it will also aid you in determining when to start a fresh fire. Make sure to have a glass cleaning solution in your kitchen to clean any tarred or smudged areas. If the glass is very filthy you can make use of newspaper soaked in ash and water to wipe it down. Be careful not to scratch the glass, as scratches can weaken the glass and cause it to shatter when it is heated.

Creosote accumulation on the inside of your flue is the primary cause of chimney fires. A few millimeters of creosote can cause a fire in a chimney. Clean the flue regularly particularly when burning soft or pine woods create more creosote.

To prevent creosote vapors from entering your home, only burn seasoned and dry wood that has been split in half or smaller. Also, don't burn artificial wood or trash in your wood stove.

Safety

Wood stove burning can produce extremely toxic gases, such as carbon monoxide and particulates. These harmful gases can be found in the home and can have negative health consequences for older adults, children or those with respiratory conditions like asthma or COPD. Exposure to wood smoke over time can also cause heart disease and eventually lung damage.

To avoid these risks It is crucial to follow proper wood stove burning practices. This includes making sure the stove is working correctly and has the right energy output to meet the dimensions and design of the room. In addition only dry, well-seasoned woods should be used in the stove. The moisture content should be less than 20%. 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's walls.

Another important aspect of safety is to ensure that the stove has a good draw by observing the amount of air that flows into the firebox and through the chimney. Modern stoves come with a variety of ways to alter the flow of air and the owner's guide includes the procedures. The best efficiency of heating can be achieved if the air controls are operated correctly.

Finally, the flue and chimney pipes should be kept clear of any combustible materials, including drapes, papers, trash or rugs. Inadequate clearance between combustibles and wood-burning appliances is the most common reason for house fires caused by wood stoves.

It is also important to keep children out of wood stoves while the flame is burning or when the 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. Install a childproof fence around the fireplace or www.5829186.Xyz use a fireplace screen. It is also important to regularly inspect the fireplace and wood stove for www.5829186.xyz - https://www.5829186.xyz - signs of wear and tear.

It is also important to ensure that your chimney and stove are regularly inspected for creosote accumulation, bird nests and other problems that can affect the safety of your chimney and stove. This will prevent fires and 5829186 health hazards, and will also reduce the necessity for CO2 or smoke remediation services.

Maintenance

Although wood stoves are an excellent method of saving money on home heating but they also require additional maintenance. If you don't perform the necessary maintenance on your wood stove, it could result in a fire which 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 stove's surfaces and flue. Keep a fire extinguisher at the counter and test it frequently. It's also recommended to install smoke detectors throughout the home particularly in the area with the stove.

As a general rule it is recommended to clean your chimney and stove at least once per year. Cleaning schedules should be adjusted depending on how often the stove is used. It might be necessary to clean it more frequently in winter. It is also important to use only seasoned and dry wood for burning in the stove. It is recommended to avoid using a lot of kerosene or oil when beginning the fire, because these fuels burn differently and can generate toxic gases that can be extremely harmful to your health.

You should check the gaskets on your door during your regular cleaning. These are often made from rope-like braids which can become degraded with repeated opening and closing. If you notice that the gasket is loose and you need to replace it, buy a gasket made of fiberglass and some cement to fix it. The hinges on these doors must be checked as well.

Chimneys and flues should be inspected to ensure that they are free of creosote accumulation and obstructions. During the inspection, look out for cracks, and other indications of damage in the chimney lining. Stovepipes should be inspected as well, and any gaps or dents need to be filled.

It is crucial to clean the glass door of your wood stove. You can accomplish this by mixing water with ammonia. A sponge or rag should be soaked with the solution, then wiped over the glass's surface until it is clean. You can let the solution sit for a few moments before wiping it again.