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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 emit less pollutants. Undark discovered that some of the newer stoves may not meet EPA standards.

In a time of high energy prices, many cities are seeking ways to cut down on wood burning, especially in areas that have poor air quality. Here are 10 things you can do to improve the quality of your indoor air and gain more heat from every log.

Efficiency

Wood stove burning is one of the most efficient methods to heat your home. Modern wood stoves that are EPA-certified burn logs fast and produce less smoke than older models. This lets you use a greater portion of the potential energy from your fire in a shorter time and lower your heating costs by as much as 30 percent. If you use only well-seasoned wood the efficiency of wood stoves improves over the life of the stove.

Older wood stoves usually have efficiencies of less than 50 percent. This means that half the energy potential in the fire is lost when carbon monoxide and smoke are released into the air. Modern stoves boast efficiency of 85 percent or greater, which is comparable to the efficiency of oil and gas furnaces.

Wood stoves can be improved by controlling airflow as well as the fuel and combustion processes. Wood stoves that regulate the airflow are able to slow down the speed at which the fire is moving through the wood, and permit the gases that are produced to remain hot and combust completely.

In addition, modern wood stoves can recycle the byproducts from incomplete combustion into a new fire that produces more efficient combustion. This process is referred to as reburn, and can boost the efficiency of a wood stove by up to 10 percent.

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

Cleanliness

Cleaning and maintenance of wood stoves is important for keeping homes warm. In the United States, 8.8 million households utilize wood stoves. A dirty flue pipe or stove can cause carbon monoxide and fire dangers. Clean stoves, chimneys and flue pipes are also more efficient.

The removal of ashes is the primary task to do when cleaning your wood stove. Wear gloves that are protective and wait until the stove has cooled down. Choose a metal container that is big enough to accommodate all the ashes, then take them outside away from anything that might be able to ignite. You can also add the ashes to your compost to create 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 good idea to leave at minimum 3 feet of space between your wood stove and any other combustible objects like pillows, curtains or toys. This prevents the fire from growing out of control and burning these things.

For the inside of your stove, a clear glass door lets you to see of the dancing flames and can help you tell when it's time to light the fire again. Be sure to have a glass cleaner in your kitchen to clean any smudged or tarred areas. Newspaper dipped in ash and water can be used to clean the glass if it's extremely dirty. Be careful not to scratch the glass, since scratches can weaken glass and cause it to shatter when the glass is heated.

Creosote buildup on the inside of your flue is the primary cause of chimney fires. A tiny amount of creosote could cause a fire to the chimney. Clean the flue frequently particularly if you are burning pine or other soft woods that generate more creosote than other kinds of wood.

To avoid creosote vapors entering your home, you should only burn dry and seasoned wood that has been split in half or smaller. Never burn fake logs, trash or other objects in your wood stove.

Safety

Wood stoves can release toxic gases like carbon monoxide and particulates. These toxins enter the home and could have adverse health effects on young people, older adults or people suffering from respiratory ailments like asthma or COPD. The exposure to wood smoke in the long run can lead to heart disease and eventually lung damage.

To avoid these risks to avoid these risks, it is vital to follow the proper methods for burning wood on your stove. This includes ensuring the stove is functioning correctly and has sufficient heat output for the size and shape of the room. Additionally only dry, well-seasoned hardwoods should be used in the stove. The moisture content of the wood should not exceed 20%. If the moisture content is higher, it will burn faster and produce a more smoky fire that has more creosote building up on the chimney vent pipe walls.

Another important aspect of safety is ensuring that the stove is operating at a high draw by monitoring the amount of air flowing through the firebox and the chimney. The owner's guide will provide detailed instructions on how to regulate air flow in the majority of modern stoves. The highest efficiency in heating can be achieved when the air controls are operated correctly.

The chimney and flue pipe must be free of combustible material, such as drapes, trash or paper. A lack of clearance between combustibles and wood-burning appliances is a leading cause of fires in homes caused by wood stoves.

It is also important to keep children away from wood stoves while the fire is burning or while ashes are being removed. Children are naturally curious and they may touch the hot surfaces on the wood stove or put their hands in the flame. It is recommended to set up a child-proof gate around the fireplace or employ the fireplace screen. It is also important to check the fireplace regularly and wood stove for signs of wear and tear.

Finally, it is essential to ensure that your chimney and stove are professionally checked every year for the accumulation of creosote as well as bird nests and other problems that can affect the safety of your chimney or stove. This will help to prevent fires and health hazards as well as reducing the necessity for carbon monoxide remediation services.

Maintenance

While wood stoves are a great way to save money on heating bills however, www.913875.xyz, by www.913875.xyz, they require additional maintenance. If you do not perform the necessary maintenance on your wood stove, it could cause a dangerous fire to escape the flue or chimney, and even cause a housefire. You should also clean the stove's surfaces and flue. Keep a fire extinguisher at the counter and test it frequently. It is also an excellent idea to place smoke detectors around the house, especially one in the area with the stove.

As a rule it is recommended to clean the chimney and stove every year. Cleaning schedules need to be adjusted depending on how often the stove is used. It may be necessary to clean it more often in winter. Only use dry and seasoned wood to use in the stove. Avoid using a lot of oil or kerosene for starting the fire. These fuels can produce toxic gases and be harmful to your health.

In the course of your regular cleaning it is important to inspect the gaskets of your doors. These are usually made of a braided substance that may become degraded over time. 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 of these doors must also be checked.

Chimneys and flues should be examined to ensure that they are free of creosote accumulation and obstructions. During this inspection, look for cracks in the chimney liner, as well as any other signs of damage. Stovepipes must be examined too, and any gaps or dents should be repaired.

It is crucial to clean the glass door of your wood stove. This can be accomplished quickly by mixing a solution of water and ammonia. The solution is then applied to the glass with a rag or sponge. You can let the solution sit for a few moments before wiping it over again.