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

Many communities have provided financial incentives to replace old wood stoves with EPA certified models that emit less pollution. Undark discovered that some of the latest stoves may not be up to EPA standards.

In a time of rising energy costs, cities are looking to reduce wood combustion, particularly in areas in which air quality is poor. Here are 10 tips to improve the quality of your indoor air and gain more heat out of every log.

Efficiency

Wood stoves are among the most efficient ways to heat your house. Modern wood stoves certified by the EPA burn logs quickly and produce less smoke than older models. This allows you to burn more of the energy in your fireplace and cut down on heating expenses by up to 30%. If you use only well-seasoned wood the efficiency of wood stoves increases over the life of the stove.

Older wood stoves typically have efficiency of less than 50 percent. This means that smoke and carbon dioxide are released into the air, which results in losing half of the energy potential of the fire. Modern stoves can achieve efficiencies of up to 85 percent or more, which is similar to the efficiencies of gas and oil furnaces.

Wood stoves can be more efficient by controlling airflow, fuel, and combustion processes. Wood stoves with controlled airflow can slow down the speed at which the fire moves through wood, allowing gas produced to remain hot and fully burn.

Modern wood stoves can also reuse the byproducts of incomplete combustion to create a new flame that burns more efficiently. This process, called reburn, can increase the efficiency of wood stoves up to 10 percent.

Wood is also carbon-neutral and carbon neutral, which is an additional benefit. Trees absorb carbon dioxide from the air as they are growing and release oxygen when they burn. Wood is a sustainable resource 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 maintaining wood stoves is crucial to 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 www.913875.xyz fire hazards. Clean chimneys, stoves and flue pipes are also more efficient.

Emptying the ashes is the most common task you can do when cleaning your wood stove. This is best done on a cool day, when the stove isn't as hot and you must wear protective gloves when handling the ashes. Choose a metal container that is large enough to hold all of the ashes, then take them outside away from anything that could be able to ignite. You can also add the ashes to your compost for an excellent addition to your garden.

Once the ashes have been removed from the stove, sweep the floor to eliminate any dust. It is recommended to leave at minimum 3 feet of space between your wood stove and any other combustible objects like pillows, curtains or toys. This will stop the spread of fire and burning the items.

Regarding the inside of your stove a clear glass door lets you to see of the flames dancing and help you know when it's time to begin a new fire. Make sure that you have glass cleaner available to remove any smudged or tarred areas that could be present. If the glass is very dirty it is possible to use newspaper dipped in ash and water to clean it. Avoid scratching the glass as this could cause it to weaken and break when heated.

Creosote build-up 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 frequently especially when burning pine or soft woods create more creosote.

Burn only dry, seasoned wood that has been cut in half or smaller. Never burn artificial garbage, logs, or other items inside your wood stove.

Safety

Wood stove burning can produce extremely harmful gases, including carbon monoxide and particulates. These harmful gases can be found in the home and can have negative health effects for older adults, children or people suffering from respiratory ailments like asthma or COPD. Exposure to wood smoke over time can cause heart disease and eventually lung damage.

To prevent these risks, it is essential to adhere to the correct wood stove burning practices. This includes making sure the stove is operating correctly and has sufficient power to heat the size and layout of the room. Only dry, well-seasoned hard woods should be burnt in the stove. The moisture content of the wood should be less than 20%. If the moisture content of the firewood is higher, the fire will burn more quickly and create an smoky flame with more creosote forming on the chimney vent pipe wall.

A well-drawn chimney is an additional important safety element. This can be accomplished by observing how much air is circulating through the firebox as well as through the chimney. The owner's manual will give specific instructions on how to alter the flow of air in most modern stoves. Properly operating the air controls will ensure the highest efficiency in heating.

Additionally, the flue and chimney pipes must be kept free of combustible materials, including drapes, paper, or carpets. A lack of clearance between combustibles and wood-burning appliances is a major reason for house fires caused by wood stoves.

It is also important to keep children away from wood stoves when the fire is in progress or when ashes are being removed. Children are naturally curious, and they might touch hot surfaces on a wood stove or place their hands in the fire. It is recommended to install a child-proof gate around the fireplace, or employ the fireplace screen. It is also crucial to examine the fireplace and wood stove regularly for signs of wear and tear.

It is also essential to ensure that your stove and chimney are professionally inspected 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 help avoid fires and health hazards, as well as reduce the need for smoke or carbon monoxide remediation.

Maintenance

Wood stoves can be a great way to reduce your heating costs, but they need some additional maintenance. If you don't perform the necessary maintenance on your wood stove, it can result in a fire which escapes the flue, which could lead to a chimney fire, or even a house fire. In addition to cleaning the chimney and cleaning the stove, you need to clean and sweep the stove's surfaces and flue. Keep a fire extinguisher on hand and test it regularly. Smoke detectors are an excellent idea for all rooms of the house, but especially in the area where the stove is located.

In general, you should clean your chimney and stove at least once per year. The schedule of cleaning should be altered in accordance with how frequently the stove is used. It may be necessary to clean it more frequently in winter. Only use dry and seasoned wood to use in the stove. It is recommended to stay clear of using a lot of kerosene or oil when starting the fire, as these fuels have different burning patterns and create toxic gases that can be detrimental to your health.

You should inspect the gaskets in your door during your regular cleaning. They are typically made of rope-like braids which can degrade with repeated closing and opening. If you notice that the gasket is loose and needs to be fixed, purchase an alternative gasket seal made of fiberglass and adhesive. Also, the hinges of these doors need to be checked as well.

It is crucial to examine chimneys and flues to make sure that they are clear of creosote and 913875 obstructions. During this inspection, look for cracks in the chimney liner, as well as any other indications of damage. Stovepipes must also be inspected and any dents must be repaired.

It is important to clean the glass door of your wood stove. It is easy to accomplish this by mixing water and ammonia. The solution is then applied to the glass with either a sponge or rag. It is possible to leave the solution for a couple of minutes before wiping it again.