Gracie Westbrook asked 1 ปี ago
EPA-Certified Wood Stoves May Not Meet Your Health and fireplace and stove Safety Standards
Many communities have provided financial incentives to replace old wood stoves with EPA certified models that emit less pollutant. But Undark found that some of these modern stoves may not meet EPA standards.
In an era of high energy costs, a lot of cities are seeking to reduce the use of wood, especially 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 stove burning is one of the most efficient methods to heat your home. Modern EPA-certified wood stoves burn logs quickly and generate less smoke than older models. This lets you burn more energy into your fire and reduce your heating expenses by as much as 30 percent. The efficiency of wood stoves increases over the lifetime of the stove if you use only wood that is seasoned.
Older wood stoves generally have efficiency of less than 50 percent. This means that carbon dioxide and smoke are released into the air, resulting in losing half of the energy potential of the fire. Modern stoves can boast an efficiency of up to 85% or more. This is comparable to gas and oil furnaces.
The higher efficiencies of wood stoves are achieved by controlling the fuel, air and combustion process. Wood stoves with controlled airflow can slow down the speed at which the flame moves through the wood, allowing gas produced to remain hot and burn completely.
Modern wood stoves can also recycle the byproducts of incomplete combustion to create a new fire which burns more efficiently. This process, known as reburn, can increase the efficiency of wood stoves by up to 10%.
Another advantage of using wood as a source for heat is that it is carbon neutral. When trees develop, they absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen when they are burnt. Wood is a renewable resource for the environment, especially when it is sourced from local woodlands that are managed in a way that encourages healthy tree growth.
Cleanliness
Cleaning and maintenance of wood stoves is essential for keeping homes warm. In the United States, 8.8 million households utilize wood stoves. A dirty stove and flue pipe can pose an ignition source and can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning. Clean chimneys, stoves and flue pipes are more efficient.
Emptying the ashes is the primary task to do when cleaning your wood stove. Wear protective gloves and wait until the stove has cooled down. Choose a metal container that is large enough to hold all the ashes, and dump them outdoors away from anything that could be able to ignite. You can also add the ashes into your compost to create an excellent addition to your garden.
Once the ashes have been removed from the stove, sweep the floor to get rid of dust. It is also a good idea to keep at least three feet between your wood stove and any combustible items such as pillows or curtains. This helps to prevent a fire from getting out of control and burning these items.
A clear glass door on the interior of your stove will let you see the flames dancing, and it will also aid you in determining when to light a fire. Ensure that you have a glass cleaner on hand to remove any smudged or tarred areas that may be present. Newspaper dipped into water and ash can be used to wash the glass if it is extremely dirty. Avoid scratching the glass as this can cause it to break or break when heated.
Creosote accumulation on the inside of your flue is the primary cause of chimney fires. A few millimeters of creosote can cause a fire to a chimney. Clean the flue regularly, especially in the event that burning soft or pine woods produce more creosote.
Burn only dry, seasoned wood that is split in half or smaller. Also, never burn artificial logs or trash in your wood stove.
Safety
Wood stove burning can produce extremely harmful gases, including carbon monoxide and particulates. These toxins can enter the home, and can have negative health effects on young people, older adults, or people suffering from respiratory diseases such as COPD or asthma. Exposure to wood smoke in the long run can lead to heart disease and cause lung damage.
To prevent these risks, it is essential to follow proper wood stove burning practices. This includes ensuring that the stove is functioning correctly and has sufficient energy output to meet the dimensions and design of the room. In addition, only dry, well-seasoned hardwoods are allowed to be burned in the stove. The moisture content should be less than 20%. If the moisture content is higher, it will burn faster and produce a smoky fire that has more creosote building up on the chimney vent pipe’s walls.
A well-drawn chimney is an additional important safety feature. This can be accomplished by monitoring the amount of air that is circulating through the firebox and through the chimney. The majority of modern stoves offer a variety of ways to adjust the air flow and the owner’s guide contains the procedures. The highest efficiency in heating can be achieved if the air controls are operated correctly.
Additionally, the flue and chimney pipes must be kept clear of any material that could ignite, such as drapes, papers, trash or rugs. The fires that occur in wood stoves are usually caused by inadequate clearance between combustibles, wood-burning appliances as well as combustibles.
It is also important to keep children out of wood stoves while the fire is in progress or when the ashes are being removed. Children are naturally curious and may want to touch the hot surfaces of a wood stove or place their hands into the flame. Install a child-proof fence around the fireplace, or use a fireplace screen. It is also crucial to inspect the fireplace and stove often for signs of wear and tear.
It is also essential to have your stove and chimney professionally inspected at least once per year to look for creosote buildup, bird nests, and other issues that could affect the safety of your stove. This will help to prevent fires, health hazards and reduce the necessity for carbon monoxide remediation.
Maintenance
Wood stoves are an excellent method of saving the cost of heating your home however, they require additional maintenance. If you fail to perform the necessary maintenance on your wood stove, it could result in a fire that escapes the flue, a dangerous chimney fire, or an unintentional house fire. It is important to clean the surfaces of the stove and flue. You should also keep a fire extinguisher handy and test it regularly. It is also an excellent idea to place smoke detectors throughout the home, especially one in the area with the stove.
In general, you should clean the chimney and stove at least once per year. The schedule of cleaning should be altered depending on how often the stove is used. It might be necessary to clean it more often in winter. Use only dry and seasoned wood to burn in the stove. Avoid using a lot of oil or kerosene to ignite the fire. These fuels can release toxic gases and can be harmful to your health.
In the course of your regular cleaning, you should inspect the gaskets of your doors. They are typically made of a braided material which can degrade over time. If you find that the gasket is leaking and needs to be repaired, buy a new fiberglass seal and some gasket adhesive. The hinges of these doors must be inspected as well.
It is essential to check flues and chimneys to ensure that they are free of creosote and obstructions. During the inspection, look out for fireplace and stove cracks or other signs of damage to the chimney lining. Stovepipes need to be checked too and any gaps or dents must be fixed.
If you have a glass door for your wood stove, it is crucial to keep it clean. This can be accomplished easily by using a mixture of water and ammonia. The solution is then applied to the glass with either a sponge or rag. For tougher stains, you can leave the solution on for a few minutes prior to wiping it off again.