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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 which produce less pollution. But Undark found that some of these modern stoves might not be up to EPA standards.

In a time of rising energy costs, a lot of cities are seeking to reduce wood combustion, especially in areas in which air quality is poor. Here are 10 strategies to improve indoor air quality, and extract more heat of each log.

Efficiency

Wood stoves are among the most efficient ways to heat your house. Modern wood stoves certified by the EPA burn logs fast and produce less smoke than older models. This lets you use more energy into your fireplace and cut down on heating costs by up to 30%. The efficiency of wood stoves also increases over the lifetime 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, which results in an evaporation of about half the energy potential in the fire. Modern stoves boast efficiencies of up to 85 percent or Www.913875.Xyz more, which is comparable to the efficiencies of gas and oil furnaces.

Wood stoves can be more efficient by controlling airflow as well as the fuel and combustion processes. Wood stoves that control airflow are able to slow down the speed at which fire moves through the wood and allow the gases that are produced to remain hot and completely combust.

Additionally, modern wood stoves are able to recycle the byproducts of incomplete combustion into a fresh fire that is more efficient in burning. This process is known as reburn and can improve the efficiency of a wood stove by as much as 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 they are burned. Wood is also an environmentally sustainable resource, particularly if it is obtained from woodlands in the local area that are managed in a way that encourages the growth of healthy trees.

Cleanliness

Cleaning and maintaining wood stoves is essential for keeping homes warm. In the United States, 8.8 million households use wood stoves. A dirty stove or flue pipe could cause carbon monoxide to build up and create fire hazards. Clean stoves as well as flue pipes and chimneys are more efficient.

Cleaning the ashes is the most common task to do when cleaning your wood stove. This should be done on a cool day, when the stove isn't hot anymore and you must wear protective gloves when handling the ashes. Choose a container made of metal that is that is large enough to accommodate all the ashes, then take them outside away from anything that might cause a fire. Alternatively, you can add the ashes to your compost pile for an excellent addition to your garden.

When the ashes have been cleared of the stove, it is a good time to sweep the floor and sweep up any residual dust. It is important to have at minimum 3 feet of space between your wood stove and any combustible items such as curtains, pillows or toys. This will stop a fire from getting out of control and burning these items.

A clean glass door inside of your stove will allow you to see the dancing flames and it will also aid you in determining when to start a fresh fire. Be sure to have a glass cleaning solution available to clean any tarred or smudged areas. If the glass is extremely dirty it is possible to make use of newspaper soaked in water and ash to clean it. Be careful not to scratch the glass because scratches can weaken the glass and shatter when it is heated.

The accumulation of creosote in your chimney flue is one the main causes of chimney fires. A tiny amount of creosote could cause a fire to a chimney. Clean the flue regularly, especially when burning pine or soft woods create more creosote.

Burn only seasoned, dry wood that is split in half or smaller. Do not burn artificial trash, logs or other items in your wood stove.

Safety

Wood stoves emit harmful gases such as carbon monoxide and particulates. These harmful gases can be found in the home and may have negative health effects for older adults, children or those with respiratory conditions such as asthma or COPD. Exposure to wood smoke in the long run can lead to heart disease and eventually lung damage.

To avoid these risks, it is essential to follow proper wood stove burning procedures. These include ensuring that the stove is functioning properly and that it is able to produce enough heat for the room size and design. Only dry, well-seasoned and dry woods should be burnt in the stove. The moisture content should be less than 20%. 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 has a sufficient draw by observing the amount of air flowing through the firebox and the chimney. Modern stoves come with a variety of ways to alter the flow of air, and the owner's manual has documented the procedures. Correctly operating the air controls can ensure the highest efficiency of heating.

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.

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 the wood stove or put their hands in the flame. It is recommended to install a childproof gate around the fireplace or to employ the fireplace screen. It is also important to check the fireplace and wood stove often for signs of wear.

It is also crucial to have your stove and chimney professionally checked at least once per year to check for creosote buildup, bird nests and other issues that could affect the safety of your stove. This will reduce the risk of fires and health hazards, and also reduce the need for CO2 or smoke remediation services.

Maintenance

Wood stoves can be an effective way to lower your heating expenses, but they need some additional maintenance. If you don't perform the required maintenance on your wood stove, it could cause a dangerous fire to escape the flue or chimney or even start fire in your home. You should also clean the surfaces of the stove and flue. Keep a fire extinguisher at hand and test it regularly. It's also recommended to install smoke detectors around the house, especially one in the room with the stove.

As a rule it is recommended to clean the stove and chimney every year. The schedule of cleaning should be altered depending on how often the stove is used. It may be necessary to clean it more often in winter. Also, make sure to make sure to use only dry and 913875.xyz (mouse click on 913875) seasoned wood to use in the stove. It is recommended to avoid using a lot of oil or kerosene for starting the fire, as these fuels burn differently and can generate toxic gases that can be extremely detrimental to your health.

When you clean your house regularly it is important to examine the gaskets on your doors. They are typically made of a braided substance that may degrade over time. If you find that the gasket is not tight you can purchase a new fiberglass gasket and www.913875.xyz - www.913875.xyz, some gasket cement to fix it. The hinges of these doors need to also be checked.

It is important to inspect flues and chimneys to ensure that they are free of creosote and obstructions. During the inspection, check for cracks and other signs of damage to the chimney lining. Stovepipes need to be checked as well, and any dents or gaps must be fixed.

It is important to clean the glass door of your wood stove. This can be done easily with a mix of water and Www.913875.Xyz ammonia. A rag or sponge should be saturated with the solution and then wiped across the surface of the glass until it is clean. For tougher staining, you can leave the solution in place for a few minutes before wiping again.