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

Many communities have offered financial incentives for replacing old wood stoves with EPA certified models that produce less pollution. Undark discovered that some of the newer stoves may not be up to EPA standards.

In the midst of rising energy prices, many cities are looking for ways to reduce the use of wood, particularly in areas with poor air quality. Here are ten tips to improve the quality of your indoor air and gain more heat from every log.

Efficiency

Wood stoves are among the most energy-efficient ways to heat your home. Modern EPA-certified wood stoves burn logs fast and produce less smoke than older models. This lets you make use of a larger proportion of the energy from your fire in a shorter time and cut down on your heating bill by up to 30 percent. If you only use well-seasoned wood the efficiency of wood stoves improves throughout the life of the stove.

Older wood stoves have an efficiency of 50 percent or lower. This means that carbon dioxide and smoke are released into the air, resulting in a loss of half the energy potential of the fire. Modern stoves can boast an efficiency of up to 85 percent or more. This is comparable to gas and oil furnaces.

Wood stoves can be more efficient by controlling the air combustion, fuel, and processes. Wood stoves that have controlled airflow can slow down the speed at which the flame moves through wood, allowing the gases produced to stay hot and fully burn.

In addition modern wood stoves are able to recycle the byproducts from incomplete combustion into a new fire that is more efficient in burning. This process, referred to as reburn, can boost the efficiency of wood stoves by up to 10%.

Wood is also carbon-neutral which is a further benefit. When trees expand, they absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen when burnt. Wood is also an environmentally sustainable resource, especially if it is obtained from local woodlands that are managed in a manner 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 can pose a fire hazard, and could cause carbon monoxide poisoning. Clean stoves chimneys, flue pipes and 5829186 stoves are more efficient.

Emptying the ashes is the primary task to 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 can hold all the ashes and dump it outside, away from anything that may ignite. You can also add the ashes to your compost for an organic addition to your garden.

After the ashes have been removed from the stove, sweep the floor to remove dust. It is important to leave at minimum 3 feet of space between your wood stove and any other combustible objects such as curtains, pillows or toys. This helps to prevent a fire from getting out of control and burning these items.

A clean glass door that is placed on the interior of your stove will allow you to see the flames dancing, and it will also help you determine when to start a fresh fire. Be sure to have a glass cleaning solution in your kitchen to get rid of any smudged or tarred areas. If the glass is very dirty you can 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 cause it to shatter when the glass is heated.

The accumulation of creosote in your chimney flue is one the primary causes of chimney fires. Creosote can be extremely flammable, and an accumulation of just millimeters could cause the chimney to catch fire. Clean the flue regularly particularly if you are burning pine or other soft woods that produce more creosote than other kinds of wood.

To ensure that creosote-free vapors do not enter your home, only burn dry and seasoned wood that has been cut in half or smaller. Also, don't burn artificial garbage or logs in your wood stove.

Safety

Wood stoves can release toxic gasses like carbon monoxide or particulates. These toxins can enter your home and can have negative health effects on older adults, children or those with respiratory conditions like asthma or COPD. Over time exposure to wood smoke can cause lung damage and heart disease.

It is crucial to adhere to proper wood stove burn practices to reduce the risk. This includes ensuring that the stove is operating correctly and is able to produce enough heat for the space and style. Only dry, well-seasoned hard woods are suitable for burning in the stove. The moisture content should not exceed 20%. If the moisture content of the firewood is higher, the fire will burn faster and produce a smoky fire with more creosote on the chimney vent pipe wall.

A well-drawn chimney is an additional important safety feature. This can be accomplished by monitoring the amount of air that flows into the firebox as well as through the chimney. Most modern stoves have several options to regulate the flow of air and the owner's guide has documented procedures. Correctly operating the air controls can achieve the highest heating efficiency.

Additionally, the chimney and flue pipes must be kept clear of any fire-prone materials, such as drapes, papers, trash or carpets. The fires that occur in wood stoves are usually caused by inadequate clearance between combustibles, wood-burning appliances as well as combustibles.

Be sure to keep children out of wood stoves when the fire is burning or Www.5829186.Xyz the ashes are being removed. Kids are naturally curious and may want to touch the hot surfaces of a wood stove or put their hands into the fire. It is recommended to set up a child-proof gate around the fireplace, or use a fireplace screen. It is also important to regularly check the fireplace and wood stove for www.5829186.Xyz signs of wear and tear.

Finally, it is essential to ensure that your chimney and stove are regularly inspected for the accumulation of creosote and bird nests, as well as other issues that could affect the safety of your chimney or 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 an effective way to lower your heating costs, but they need some 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 risky chimney fire, or even a house fire. In addition to sweeping the chimney and cleaning the stove, you need to clean and sweep the surfaces in the stove and flue. You should also keep an extinguisher in your house and test it often. Smoke detectors are also beneficial throughout the house, but particularly in the area where the stove is.

As a rule cleaning 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. Only use dry and seasoned wood to burn in the stove. Avoid using a lot oil or kerosene to start the fire. These fuels can produce toxic gases and be harmful to your health.

You should inspect your door gaskets when you clean them regularly. They are usually made of rope-like braids that may become degraded with repeated closing and opening. If you notice that the gasket is loose and 5829186 needs to be replaced, purchase an alternative fiberglass seal and some gasket adhesive. Likewise, the hinges of these doors need to be checked as well.

Chimneys and flues need to be inspected to ensure they are free of creosote build up and obstructions. During the inspection, check for cracks, and other indications of damage to the chimney lining. Stovepipes need to be checked too, www.5829186.Xyz and any holes or dents must be fixed.

If you have a glass door on your wood stove, it's important to keep this clean. You can easily accomplish this by mixing water and ammonia. The solution should be applied to the glass using either a sponge or 5829186 rag. You can let the solution sit for a couple of minutes before wiping it over again.