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EPA-Certified Wood Stoves May Not Meet Your Health and Safety Standards
Many communities have offered financial incentives to replace wood stoves with EPA-certified models that emit less pollution. Undark discovered that some of the latest stoves may not meet EPA standards.
In a time of rising energy costs, cities are seeking to reduce the use of wood, especially in areas where air quality is poor. Here are 10 ways to improve the indoor air quality, and get more heat out of each log.
Efficiency
Wood stove burning is one of the most efficient ways to heat your home. Modern wood stoves that are EPA-certified burn logs fast and produce less smoke than older models. This makes it possible to use a greater portion of the potential energy generated by your fireplace in a shorter amount of time and cut down on your heating bill by up to 30 percent. The efficiency of wood stoves also grows over the lifetime of the stove if you only use seasoned hardwood.
Older wood stoves are efficient at 50 percent or lower. This means that half of the energy potential in the fire is lost when carbon monoxide and smoke are released into the air. Modern stoves boast efficiency of up to 85 percent or more, which is comparable to the efficiency of gas and oil furnaces.
The higher efficiencies of wood stoves can be achieved by controlling the air, fuel and combustion process. Wood stoves with controlled airflow can slow down the speed at which the flame moves through wood, allowing gases to stay hot and completely burn.
Modern wood stoves can also recycle the byproducts of incomplete combustion to create a new flame that burns more efficiently. This process is referred to as reburn, and can boost the efficiency of a wood stove by up to 10 percent.
Wood is also carbon neutral which is a further benefit. Trees absorb carbon dioxide from the air as they are growing and release oxygen when they burn. Wood is also an eco-friendly resource, particularly when it comes from local woodlands that are managed in a way that encourages the growth of healthy trees.
Cleanliness
With 8.8 million households that use wood stoves in the United States, cleaning and maintenance are a crucial part of keeping the home warm. A dirty stove and pipe can be an ignition source and can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning. Clean stoves chimneys, flue pipes and stoves are more efficient.
The most common task associated with cleaning your wood stove is to empty the ashes. This should be 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 big enough to accommodate all the ashes, then take them outdoors away from anything that could cause a Fire stove [https://www.Koreafurniture.com/bbs/board.php?bo_table=free&wr_id=1751769]. Alternatively, you can add the ashes to your compost pile 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 also a good idea to have at least 3 feet of space between your wood stove and any combustible materials like curtains, pillows or toys. This will stop a fire from getting out of control and burning these things.
A clear glass door that is placed on the 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 available to remove any tarred or smudged areas. If the glass is extremely filthy you can make use of a newspaper that has been dipped in water and ash to wipe it down. Be careful not to scratch the glass as scratches can weaken the glass and cause it to shatter when the glass is heated.
Creosote accumulation on the inside of your flue is the primary cause of chimney fires. A tiny amount of creosote could cause a fire in the chimney. Clean the flue regularly especially if burning pine or soft woods produce more creosote.
Burn only dry, seasoned wood that is split in half or smaller. Do not burn artificial trash, logs or other items in your wood stove.
Safety
Wood stoves can release toxic gasses like carbon monoxide or particulates. These toxins can enter the home and cause negative health effects for children, elderly adults, or those with respiratory illnesses such as COPD or asthma. Smoke from wood over time can cause heart disease and eventually lung damage.
It is crucial to adhere to proper burning practices for wood stoves to avoid these dangers. These include ensuring that the stove is operating correctly and is able to produce enough heat for the room size and style. Only dry, well-seasoned hard woods should be burned in the stove. The moisture content should be below 20%. If the moisture content is higher it will burn more quickly and create a smokier fire, with more creosote accumulation on the chimney vent pipe walls.
A strong draw is an important safety element. 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 alter the flow of air and the owner’s manual has documented procedures. Properly operating the air controls can achieve the highest heating efficiency.
The flue pipe and chimney must be free of all combustible material, such as drapes, paper or trash. The fires that occur in wood stoves are often caused by an inadequate clearance between combustibles, wood-burning appliances and combustibles.
It is also important to keep children out of wood stoves when the fire is in progress or when ashes are being removed. Children are naturally curious, and might try to touch the hot surfaces of a wood stove or put their hands into the fire. It is recommended to put up a child-proof barrier around the fireplace, or make use of a fireplace screen. In addition, it is essential to regularly check the fireplace and wood stove for signs of wear and tear.
It is also essential to have your chimney and stove professionally checked at least once a year to look for creosote buildup, bird nests and other issues that may 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 services.
Maintenance
Wood stoves can be a great way to reduce your heating expenses, but they do require a little more maintenance. If you don’t take care of the required maintenance on your wood stove, it can result in a fire that escapes the flue, a risky chimney fire, or a house fire. In addition to sweeping the chimney and cleaning the stove, you must to sweep and clean the stove’s surfaces and flue. Keep an extinguisher on hand and test it frequently. It is also recommended to install smoke detectors throughout the home, especially one in the room that houses the stove.
As a rule you should clean the chimney and electric stove fireplace at least once per year. The cleaning schedule is dependent on how often the stove is used, and may require more frequently in winter. Also, fire stove make sure to make sure you use only dry and well-seasoned wood burning stove small for burning in the stove. It is recommended to avoid using a lot of kerosene or oil when starting the fire, as these fuels have different burning patterns and produce toxic gases that could be extremely detrimental to your health.
During your regular cleaning it is important to examine the gaskets on 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 replaced, purchase a replacement gasket seal made of fiberglass and adhesive. The hinges of these doors should be examined as well.
Chimneys and flues need to be inspected to ensure they are free of creosote accumulation and obstructions. During the inspection, look out for cracks and other signs of damage in the chimney lining. Stovepipes must also be inspected, and any dents should be repaired.
It is important to clean the glass door of your wood woodburner stove. This can be accomplished easily with a mix of ammonia and water. A sponge or rag should be soaked in the solution, then wiped over the surface of the glass until it is clean. For more difficult staining, you can leave the solution in place for a few minutes before wiping the glass again.