Jasmine McAdams asked 3 months ago
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 pollutants. But Undark discovered that some of these modern stoves may not meet EPA standards.
In the current climate of high energy costs, cities are trying to cut down on wood combustion, particularly in areas where air quality is poor. Here are ten tips to improve the quality of indoor air and get more heat from every log.
Efficiency
Wood stoves are among the most efficient ways to heat your home. Modern EPA certified wood stoves burn logs extremely quickly and produce less creosote than older models. This makes it possible to burn a higher portion of the potential energy from your fire in a shorter period of time and lower your heating costs by up to 30 percent. When you only use seasoned hardwood the efficiency of wood stoves will increase over the life of the stove.
Older wood stoves usually have efficiencies of 50 percent or less. This means that half of the potential energy in the fire is lost when carbon monoxide and smoke are released into the air. Modern stoves can have an efficiency of 85 percent or more. This is comparable to oil and gas furnaces.
Wood stoves can be improved by controlling the air combustion, fuel, and processes. Wood stoves that have controlled airflow can slow the speed at which the flame moves through wood, allowing gas produced to remain hot and burn completely.
Modern wood stoves can also recycle the byproducts from incomplete combustion to create a new fire which is more efficient in burning. This process is called reburn and can improve wood stove burning efficiency by up to 10 percent.
Wood is also carbon-neutral and carbon neutral, which is an additional benefit. As trees grow they absorb carbon dioxide and 5829186.xyz release oxygen when they are burnt. Wood is a sustainable resource for the environment, especially when it is sourced from local woodlands 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 stove or flue pipe can pose a fire hazard, and could cause carbon monoxide poisoning. Clean stoves as well as flue pipes and 5829186 chimneys are more efficient.
The most commonly-asked task with cleaning your wood stove is to empty the ashes. Wear protective gloves and wait until the stove has cooled down. Select a metal container that is large enough to accommodate all the ashes, then take them outside away from anything that might burn. You can also add the ashes to your compost pile for an organic addition to your garden.
Once the ashes have gone out of the stove, it’s an ideal time to sweep the floor and remove any residual dust. It is also a good idea to keep at least 3 feet of space between your wood stove and any combustible materials like pillows, curtains or toys. This will stop the fire from getting out of control and burning these things.
A clean glass door that is placed on the inside of your stove will allow you to see the flames dancing, and can aid you in determining when to light a new fire. Ensure that you have glass cleaner available to clean any tarred or smudged areas that might be present. Newspapers dipped in ash and water can be used to cleanse the glass if it is extremely dirty. Avoid scratching the glass because this could cause it to break or break when heated.
Creosote buildup on the inside of your flue is a major cause of chimney fires. Creosote can be extremely flammable, and an accumulation of just one millimeter can trigger a chimney fire. Clean the flue regularly, especially if you burn pine or other soft woods that create more creosote than other kinds of wood.
To prevent creosote vapors from entering your home, only burn seasoned and dry wood that has been cut in half or smaller. Never burn fake trash, logs or other objects in your wood stove.
Safety
Wood stoves emit harmful gases such as carbon monoxide or particulates. These toxins can make their way into the home, and can have negative effects on the health of young people, older adults, or those with respiratory illnesses such as COPD or asthma. Exposure to wood smoke over time can also cause heart disease and lead to lung damage.
To avoid these risks to avoid these risks, it is vital to follow proper wood stove burning procedures. This includes ensuring that the stove is functioning correctly and has sufficient heat output for the room size and style. Only dry, well-seasoned hard woods should be burned in the stove. The moisture content of the wood should be less than 20 percent. If the moisture content of the wood is higher it will burn faster and produce an smoky flame with more creosote buildup on the chimney vent pipe wall.
Another important aspect of safety is to ensure that the stove is operating at a high draw by observing the amount of air flowing into the firebox and through the chimney. The owner’s manual will give specific instructions on how you can adjust air flow in most modern stoves. The highest heating efficiencies can be achieved when the air controls are properly operated.
The flue pipe and chimney must be free of all combustible material, such as drapes, trash or paper. Inadequate clearance between combustibles and wood-burning appliances is a major cause of fires in homes caused by wood stoves.
It is also essential to keep children out of wood stoves when the fire is burning or when the ashes are being removed. Children are naturally curious, and may want to touch the hot surfaces of a wood stove, or put their hands in the fire. It is recommended to put up a child-proof barrier around the fireplace or to employ a fireplace screen. Additionally, it is important to check the fireplace regularly and wood stove for signs of wear.
It is also important to have your stove and chimney professionally inspected once per year for accumulation of creosote as well as bird nests and other issues that could affect the safety of your chimney or stove. This will help prevent fires and health hazards as well as lessen the need for smoke or CO2 remediation services.
Maintenance
Although wood stoves are a great way to save money on heating bills but they also require additional maintenance. If you do not perform the necessary maintenance on your wood stove, it could cause a fire that is dangerous to escape from the chimney or flue and could even trigger fire in your home. It is also recommended to clean the surfaces of the stove and flue. You should also keep a fire extinguisher handy and test it often. Smoke detectors are an excellent idea for all rooms of the home, but they are especially useful in the area in which the stove is.
In general, you should clean your chimney and stove at least once a year. Cleaning schedules should be adjusted depending on how often the stove is used. It may be necessary to clean it more often in winter. Make sure to use only dry and seasoned wood for burning in the stove. It is best to stay clear of using a lot of kerosene or oil when starting the fire, http://Www.5829186.Xyz since these fuels burn differently and create toxic gases that can be extremely harmful to your health.
When you clean your house regularly and maintenance, be sure to examine the gaskets on your doors. They are typically made from a braided material which can become degraded over time. If you notice the gasket is loose and needs to be replaced, purchase an alternative gasket seal made of fiberglass and adhesive. The hinges of these doors must be examined as well.
It is crucial to examine flues and chimneys to ensure that they are clear of creosote and obstructions. During this inspection, you should look for cracks in the chimney liner as well as any other signs of damage. Stovepipes need to be checked as well, and any gaps or dents need to be filled.
It is important to clean the glass door of your wood stove. You can easily accomplish this by mixing water and ammonia. The solution should be wiped onto the glass using either a sponge or rag. For more difficult staining, you can leave the solution on for a couple of minutes before wiping it off again.