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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 which produce less pollution. But Undark discovered that some of these more modern stoves may not be able to meet EPA standards.

In the midst of rising energy costs, cities are looking for ways to cut down on burning wood, 913875 - altlifewiki.Com, particularly in areas with poor air quality. Here are 10 ways to improve the indoor air quality and extract more heat of each log.

Efficiency

Wood stoves are among the most efficient ways to heat your house. Modern wood stoves certified by the EPA burn logs quickly and produce less smoke than older models. This lets you use a greater percentage of the potential energy of your fire in a shorter time and reduce your heating bills by as much as 30 percent. The efficiency of wood stoves also increases over the lifetime of the stove if you use only wood that is seasoned.

Older wood stoves have an efficiency of 50 percent or less. This means that smoke and carbon dioxide are released into the air, leading to losing half of the energy potential in the fire. Modern stoves can achieve efficiencies of up to 85 percent or more, which is similar to the efficiency of gas and oil furnaces.

The higher efficiency of wood stoves are achieved by controlling the air, fuel, and combustion process. Wood stoves with controlled airflow can slow the speed at which the fire moves through wood, allowing gas produced to remain hot and completely burn.

Modern wood stoves can also recycle the byproducts of incomplete combustion to create a new flame that is more efficient in burning. This process, referred to as Reburn, can improve the efficiency of wood stoves by as much as 10%.

Another advantage of using wood as a source for heat is that it is considered carbon neutral. As trees grow they absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen when burned. Wood is a resource that is sustainable for the environment, particularly when it comes from local woodlands managed in a way that encourages healthy tree growth.

Cleanliness

With 8.8 million households using wood stoves in the United States, cleaning and maintenance are an important aspect of keeping your home warm. A dirty stove and flue pipe can be an ignition source and can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning. Clean stoves, chimneys and flue pipes are also more efficient.

The most commonly-asked task with cleaning your wood stove is to empty the ashes. This should be done on a cool day, when the stove isn't hot anymore and you must wear protective gloves when handling the ashes. Choose a metal container that is big enough to accommodate all the ashes, and dump them in a safe place away from anything that could be able to ignite. Alternatively, you can add the ashes to your compost for Www.913875.Xyz a healthy addition to your garden.

Once the ashes have been removed from the stove, you can sweep the floor to get rid of dust. It is important to have at three feet of space between your wood stove and any combustible materials like curtains, pillows or toys. This prevents the fire from getting out of control and burning these items.

Regarding the inside of your stove, a clear glass door lets you to enjoy a view of the flames dancing and will help you determine when it's time to start an all-new fire. Make sure you have glass cleaner available to clean any smudged or tarred areas that might be present. Newspaper dipped in water and ash can be used to clean the glass if it's extremely dirty. 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 one the primary causes of chimney fires. A tiny amount of creosote could cause a fire in a chimney. Clean the flue frequently, especially if you burn pine or other soft woods that generate more creosote compared to other types of wood.

Burn only dry, seasoned wood that has been cut in half or smaller. Also, never burn artificial garbage or logs in your wood stove.

Safety

Wood stoves can release very toxic gases, including carbon monoxide and particulates. These harmful gases can be absorbed into the home, and have negative effects on the health of young people, older adults, or people suffering from respiratory ailments like COPD or asthma. Smoke from wood over time can also cause heart disease and cause lung damage.

To avoid these risks, it is essential to follow proper methods for burning wood on your stove. This includes ensuring that the stove is working correctly and 913875.xyz has sufficient heat output to the size of the room and design. Only dry, well-seasoned, hard woods should be burned in the stove. The firewood's moisture content should be less than 20 percent. If the moisture content of the wood is higher it will burn faster and produce a smoky fire with more creosote forming on the chimney vent pipe's wall.

A strong draw is an essential safety feature. This can be achieved by monitoring how much air is flowing into the firebox and through the chimney. The owner's guide will provide specific instructions on how you can adjust air flow in most modern stoves. Properly operating the air controls can achieve the highest heating efficiency.

The flue pipe and chimney must be free of all fire-prone materials, like 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.

Be sure to keep children away from wood stoves when the fire is burning or when ashes are being removed. Children are naturally curious and they might touch hot surfaces on the stove or place their hands on the fire. It is recommended to put up a child-proof gate around the fireplace, or use the fireplace screen. It is also crucial to inspect the fireplace and wood stove frequently for signs of wear and tear.

It is also important to have your chimney and stove professionally examined at least once per year to ensure there is no creosote buildup, 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 necessity for CO2 or smoke remediation services.

Maintenance

While wood stoves are an excellent way to save money on heating bills but they also require additional maintenance. If you don't take care of the required maintenance, your wood stove can cause a dangerous fire to escape the flue or chimney, and even cause a housefire. In addition to sweeping the chimney and cleaning the stove, 913875 you need to sweep and clean the stove's surfaces and flue. Keep a fire extinguisher on your desk and check it frequently. It's also an excellent idea to place smoke detectors around the house particularly in the room that houses the stove.

As a rule you should clean the stove and chimney once a year. The schedule for cleaning should be adjusted based on how much the stove is used, and may need to be done more frequently during winter. It is also important to make sure to use only dry and seasoned wood to use in the stove. Avoid using a lot of oil or kerosene to start the fire. These fuels can release toxic gases and be harmful to your health.

It is recommended to check your door gaskets when you clean them regularly. They are usually made of braided rope-like material that can degrade with repeated opening and closing. If you notice that the gasket is loose and you need to replace it, buy a gasket made of fiberglass as well as some gasket cement to fix it. Also, the hinges on these doors should be inspected as well.

It is essential to check flues and chimneys to ensure that they are clear of obstructions and creosote. During the inspection, look for cracks and other signs of damage to the chimney lining. Stovepipes also need to be inspected and any dents must be repaired.

It is essential to clean the glass door of your wood stove. You can easily do this by mixing water and ammonia. A sponge or rag must be soaked with the solution and wiped across the glass's surface until it is completely clean. You can let the solution sit for a few minutes before wiping it over again.