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

Many communities have offered financial incentives to replace old wood stoves with EPA certified models that emit less pollutant. Undark discovered that some of the latest stoves may not meet EPA standards.

In the current climate of high energy costs, cities are seeking to reduce wood combustion, particularly in areas where air quality is poor. Here are 10 things you can do to improve the quality of indoor air and get more heat out of every log.

Efficiency

Wood stoves are among the most efficient ways to heat your home. Modern wood stoves certified by the EPA burn logs quickly and generate less smoke than older models. This allows you to burn more energy in your fire, and reduce heating expenses by as much as 30%. If you only use well-seasoned wood, the efficiency of wood stoves improves throughout the life of the stove.

Older wood stoves are efficient at 50 percent or lower. This means that a significant portion of the potential energy generated by the fire is lost because carbon monoxide and smoke are released into the atmosphere. Modern stoves can boast an efficiency of 85% or more. This is similar to oil and gas furnaces.

Wood stoves can be improved by controlling the airflow, fuel, and combustion processes. Wood stoves that regulate the airflow can slow down the speed at which the fire is moving through the wood and permit the gases produced to stay hot and fully combust.

Modern wood stoves can also recycle the byproducts from incomplete combustion to create a new fire which burns more efficiently. This process, known as reburn, can boost the efficiency of wood stoves 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 release oxygen when they are burned. Wood is also an environmentally sustainable resource, particularly if it is obtained from woodlands in the local area that are managed in a manner 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 element of keeping your home warm. A dirty stove or flue pipe could be an ignition source and can lead to 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. This is best done on a day that is cool, when the stove isn't hot anymore, and you should wear gloves that are protective when handling the ashes. Choose a container made of metal that is large enough to hold all of the ashes, and then dump them outdoors away from anything that might be able to ignite. You can also add the ashes to your compost pile for an organic addition to your garden.

After the ashes have been removed from the stove, sweep the floor to get rid of dust. It is also a good idea to put at least three feet between your wood stove and any combustible items such as curtains or pillows. This will prevent the spread of fire and burning the objects.

For the inside of your stove a clean glass door allows you to enjoy a view of the dancing flames and will help you determine when it's time to start a new fire. Make sure you have a glass cleaning solution in your kitchen to remove any tarred or smudged areas. If the glass is extremely filthy, you can use newspaper dipped in water and ash to wipe it down. Avoid scratching the glass because this could cause it to break or break when heated.

Creosote buildup on the inside of your flue is the primary cause of chimney fires. A tiny amount of creosote could cause a fire to the chimney. Clean the flue regularly, especially if burning pine or soft woods create more creosote.

To avoid creosote vapors entering your home, you should only burn dry, seasoned wood that has been cut in half or smaller. Also, do not burn fake garbage or logs in your wood stove.

Safety

Wood stoves are known to produce very toxic gases, including carbon monoxide and particulates. These toxins can enter the home, and have negative health effects for children, older adults, and those suffering from respiratory ailments like COPD or asthma. In time exposure to wood smoke can cause lung damage and heart disease.

To prevent these risks, it is essential to follow the proper wood stove burning practices. These include ensuring that the stove is functioning correctly and has sufficient heat output for the space and style. In addition only dry, well-seasoned hardwoods should be used in the stove. The moisture content should not exceed 20%. If the moisture content is higher, it will burn faster and create a smokier fire, with more creosote accumulation on the chimney vent pipe walls.

Another important safety issue is to ensure that the stove has a good draw by observing the amount of air that flows into the firebox and through the chimney. The owner's guide will provide specific instructions on how to regulate air flow in the majority of modern stoves. The highest heating efficiencies can be achieved when control of the air flow is properly used.

Additionally, the flue and chimney pipes must be kept free of material that could ignite, such as drapes, paper, trash or rugs. The wood stove fires are often caused by an inadequate clearance between combustibles wood-burning appliances as well as combustibles.

Be sure to keep children away from wood stoves when the flame is burning or when ashes are being removed. Children are naturally curious, and they may touch the hot surfaces on the wood stove or put their hands in the flame. It is recommended to put up a childproof gate around the fireplace or make use of a fireplace screen. It is also crucial to inspect the wood stove and fireplace often for signs of wear and tear.

It is also important to ensure that your stove and chimney are professionally inspected at least once a year to check for creosote buildup, 5829186.Xyz bird nests, and other issues that may affect the safety of your stove. This will help prevent fires and health hazards, and also reduce the need for smoke or CO2 remediation services.

Maintenance

Wood stoves can be a great way to reduce the cost of heating, however they need some additional maintenance. If you don't perform the necessary maintenance the wood stove could cause a dangerous fire to escape from the chimney or flue, and even cause fire in your home. In addition to cleaning the chimney and cleaning the stove, it is essential to clean and sweep the surfaces in the stove and 5829186.xyz flue. Keep a fire extinguisher in the counter and test it frequently. Smoke detectors are beneficial throughout the house, but particularly in the area where the stove is located.

As a rule it is recommended to clean the stove and 5829186.xyz chimney once a year. The schedule for cleaning should be adjusted based on how often the stove is used, and may need to be done more frequently in winter. It is also important to use only seasoned and dry wood to use in the stove. Avoid using lots of oil or kerosene for starting the fire. These fuels could release toxic gasses and pose a danger to your health.

During your regular cleaning, you should examine the gaskets on your doors. They are typically made from a braided substance that may be damaged over time. If you find that the gasket is loose and www.5829186.xyz (Https://www.5829186.xyz/7e8aqq-qg0y-5wmf8u1-4nj7d5-vn9mod-2675/) you need to replace it, buy a fiberglass gasket and some gasket cement to fix it. Likewise, the hinges on these doors should be checked as well.

It is essential to check chimneys and flues to ensure that they are free of creosote and obstructions. During the inspection, look out for cracks and other signs of damage in the chimney lining. Stovepipes must be examined too and any holes or dents must be fixed.

It is essential to clean the glass door of your wood stove. You can do this by mixing water and ammonia. The solution should be applied to the glass with either a sponge or rag. You can let the solution sit for a couple of minutes before wiping it off again.