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

Many communities have offered incentives to purchase wood stoves with EPA-certified models that emit less pollution. 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 reduce wood burning, especially in areas that have poor air quality. Here are 10 ways to improve indoor air quality, and to get more heat out of each log.

Efficiency

Wood stoves are among the most efficient ways to heat your home. Modern EPA certified wood stoves burn up logs quickly and produce less creosote than older models. This allows you to use a greater portion of the potential energy of your fire in a shorter amount of time and lower your heating costs by up to 30 percent. If you use only seasoned hardwood, the efficiency of wood stoves will increase over the life of the stove.

Older wood stoves typically have efficiencies of less than 50 percent. This means that a significant portion of the energy potential in the fire is lost because smoke and carbon monoxide are released into the air. Modern stoves can have an efficiency of up to 85% or more. This is similar to oil and gas furnaces.

Wood stoves can be improved by controlling the air as well as the fuel and combustion processes. Wood stoves with controlled airflow can slow the speed at which the flame moves through the wood, allowing gas produced to stay hot and burn completely.

Modern wood stoves can also recycle the byproducts of incomplete combustion to create a new fire that produces more efficient combustion. This process, called reburn, can increase the efficiency of wood stoves up to 10%.

Another advantage of using wood as a source for 5829186.xyz heat is that it is carbon neutral. As trees grow, they absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen when burned. Wood is also an eco-friendly resource, particularly when it comes from woodlands in the local area that are managed in a way that encourages the growth of healthy trees.

Cleanliness

Cleaning and maintenance of 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 stoves are more efficient.

The most commonly-asked task with cleaning your wood stove is to empty the ashes. Wear gloves that are protective and wait until the stove has cool down. Choose a container made of metal that is big enough to accommodate all the ashes, and dump them outdoors away from anything that might burn. You can also put the ashes to your compost for an organic addition to your garden.

While the ashes have been removed from the stove, sweep the floor to remove any dust. It is also a good idea to leave at three feet of space between your wood stove and any other combustible objects like curtains, pillows or toys. This will stop the spread of fire and burning the items.

A clear glass door inside of your stove will let you see the dancing flames and it will also aid you in determining when to start a fresh fire. Make sure you have a glass cleaner in your kitchen to remove any smudged or www.5829186.xyz (www.5829186.xyz) tarred areas. If the glass is extremely filthy it is possible to make use of newspaper soaked in water and ash to wipe it down. Be careful not to scratch the glass because scratches can weaken the glass and cause it to shatter when it is heated.

The buildup of creosote inside your chimney flue is among the primary causes of chimney fires. A few millimeters of creosote can cause a fire in a chimney. Clean the flue regularly, especially if you burn pine or other soft woods that produce more creosote compared to other types of wood.

Burn only dry, seasoned wood that is split in half or smaller. Also, don't burn artificial garbage or logs in your wood stove.

Safety

Wood stoves can release toxic gases like carbon monoxide or particulates. These toxins can enter your home and may have negative health effects for 5829186.xyz older adults, children or Www.5829186.xyz those suffering from respiratory issues such as asthma or COPD. Exposure to wood smoke over time can cause heart disease and eventually lung damage.

To prevent these risks to avoid these risks, it is vital to follow proper wood stove burning procedures. This includes making sure that the stove is working correctly and has enough heat output for the room size and style. Only dry, well-seasoned and dry woods are suitable for burning in the stove. The moisture content should be less than 20 percent. If the moisture content is higher, it will burn faster and create a smokier fire with more creosote build-up on the chimney vent pipe's walls.

Another important safety issue is to ensure that the stove has a good draw by observing the amount of air flowing through the firebox and the chimney. The owner's manual will give specific instructions on how you can regulate air flow in the majority of modern stoves. The best efficiency of heating can be achieved when the control of the air flow is properly used.

Additionally, the flue and chimney pipes must be free of fire-prone materials, such as drapes, paper, trash or rugs. The wood stove fires are usually caused by inadequate clearance between combustibles wood-burning appliances as well as combustibles.

Be sure to keep children out of wood stoves while the fire is burning or the ashes are being removed. Children are naturally curious and might try to touch the hot surfaces of a wood stove, or put their hands in the flame. Install a childproof fence around the fireplace, or install a fireplace screen. Additionally, it is important to regularly inspect the fireplace and wood stove for signs of wear and tear.

It is also important to ensure that your chimney and stove are regularly inspected for the accumulation of creosote, bird nests and other issues that could affect stove and chimney safety. This will help prevent fires and health hazards, as well as lessen the need for smoke or CO2 remediation services.

Maintenance

Wood stoves are an effective way to lower your heating costs, but they do require a little more maintenance. If you fail to take care of the required maintenance on your wood stove, it could result in a fire which escapes the flue, which could lead to a chimney fire, or an unintentional 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 at hand and test it regularly. Smoke detectors are beneficial throughout the house, but especially in the room in which the stove is.

As a general rule cleaning your chimney and stove at least once a 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. Also, make sure to make sure to use only dry and seasoned wood for burning in the stove. Avoid using lots of oil or kerosene for starting the fire. These fuels can release toxic gases and be harmful to your health.

In the course of your regular cleaning and maintenance, be sure to inspect the gaskets of your doors. They are typically made of a braided material that can degrade over time. If you notice the gasket is not sealing properly and requires to be repaired, buy a replacement fiberglass seal and some gasket adhesive. The hinges of these doors need to be examined as well.

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

It is important to clean the glass door of your wood stove. You can accomplish this by mixing water and ammonia. The solution is then wiped onto the glass using either a sponge or rag. For tougher staining, you can leave the solution in place for a few minutes prior to wiping it off again.