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

Many communities have provided incentives to purchase wood stoves with EPA-certified models that emit less pollution. But Undark discovered that some of these more modern stoves might not be up to EPA standards.

In a time of high energy costs, cities are looking for ways to cut down on wood burning, especially in areas where air quality is poor. Here are 10 tips to improve the quality of your indoor air and gain more heat from every log.

Efficiency

Wood stoves are one of the most efficient methods to heat your home. Modern EPA certified wood stoves burn logs very quickly and produce less creosote compared to older models. This allows you to burn more energy into your fire and reduce your heating costs by up to 30%. The efficiency of wood stoves grows over the lifetime of the stove when you use only seasoned hardwood.

Older wood stoves have an efficiency of 50 percent or 913875 lower. This means that a significant portion of the potential energy in the fire is lost as carbon monoxide and smoke are released into the air. Modern stoves can have an efficiency of 85% or more. This is comparable to gas and oil furnaces.

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

Modern wood stoves can recycle the byproducts from incomplete combustion to create a new fire which produces more efficient combustion. This process, known as reburn, can increase the efficiency of wood stoves up to 10 percent.

Wood is also carbon-neutral which is a further benefit. As trees expand, they absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen when they are burnt. Wood is a resource that is sustainable for the environment, especially when it is sourced from local woodlands that are managed in a way that promotes healthy tree growth.

Cleanliness

Cleaning and maintaining wood stoves is important for keeping homes warm. In the United States, 8.8 million households make use of wood stoves. A dirty stove or flue pipe could cause carbon monoxide to build up and create fire hazards. Clean stoves as well as flue pipes and chimneys are more efficient.

The most commonly-asked task with cleaning your wood stove is emptying the ashes. This is best done on a cool day, when the stove is no longer hot, and you should wear protective gloves when handling the ashes. Select a container made of metal that can accommodate all of the ashes, and then dump it outside away from anything that could burn. You can also put the ashes into your compost for a healthy addition to you garden.

Once the ashes have gone out of the stove, it is the perfect time to sweep the floor and remove any dust that remains. It is also a great idea to keep at least three feet space between your wood stove, and any combustible things such as pillows or 913875.Xyz curtains. This will prevent the spread of a fire and burning the items.

A clean glass door on the inside of your stove will let you see the dancing flames and it will also assist you in determining the best time to light a fire. Ensure that you have glass cleaner in your kitchen to remove any smudged or tarred areas that might be present. Newspapers dipped in water and ash can be used to cleanse the glass if it is extremely filthy. Avoid scratching the glass because this can cause it to shrink and break when heated.

Creosote accumulation on the inside of your flue is a major cause of chimney fires. A few millimeters of creosote can cause a fire to the chimney. Clean the flue regularly, especially if you burn pine or other soft woods that generate more creosote than other kinds of wood.

Burn only seasoned, dry wood that is split in half or smaller. Also, do not burn fake wood or trash in your wood stove.

Safety

Wood stoves are known to produce very toxic gases, including carbon monoxide and particulates. These harmful gases can be absorbed into the home, and can have negative effects on the health of children, older adults, or people suffering from respiratory illnesses such as COPD or asthma. In time, wood smoke exposure can cause lung damage and heart disease.

It is crucial to adhere to proper burning practices for wood stoves to avoid these dangers. This includes ensuring the stove is working properly and has enough energy output to meet the dimensions and shape of the room. In addition, only dry, well-seasoned hardwoods should be used in the stove. The moisture content should be below 20 percent. If the moisture content of the firewood is higher, the fire will burn faster and produce smoke that is smoky and has more creosote buildup on the chimney vent pipe's wall.

A well-drawn chimney is an additional important safety feature. This can be achieved by monitoring how much air is circulating through the firebox as well as through the chimney. The owner's guide will provide specific instructions on how to regulate air flow in the majority of modern stoves. The best efficiency of heating can be achieved when the air controls are properly operated.

The flue pipe and chimney must be free of all fire-prone materials, like drapes, trash or paper. Inadequate clearance between combustibles and wood-burning appliances is a leading cause of house fires caused by wood stoves.

Keep children away from wood stoves when 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 child-proof fence around the fireplace or install a fireplace screen. Additionally, it is important to regularly check the fireplace and wood stove for signs of wear and tear.

Finally, it is essential to ensure that your chimney and stove are regularly inspected for the accumulation of creosote and bird nests, as well as other problems that can affect stove and chimney safety. This will help prevent fires and health hazards as well as reducing the need for carbon monoxide remediation services.

Maintenance

Wood stoves are an excellent method of saving money on home heating however, they require additional maintenance. If you fail to perform the necessary maintenance on your wood stove, it can cause a fire that escapes the flue, a risky chimney fire, or 913875.xyz a house fire. In addition to sweeping the chimney and cleaning the stove, it is essential to clean and sweep the stove's surfaces and flue. Keep a fire extinguisher in hand and test it regularly. It is also recommended to install smoke detectors in the house, especially one in the room that houses the stove.

In general, you should clean the chimney and stove every year. The cleaning schedule is dependent on the amount that the stove is used, and may require more frequently in 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 for starting the fire. These fuels can 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 notice that the gasket is leaking and needs to be replaced, purchase a new gasket seal made of fiberglass and adhesive. Likewise, the hinges of these doors need to be checked as well.

Chimneys and flues must be examined to ensure that they are free of creosote build-up and 913875.xyz obstructions. During this inspection, you should look for cracks in the chimney liner and any other signs of damage. Stovepipes should also be examined and any dents must be fixed.

It is crucial to clean the glass door of your wood stove. This can be accomplished easily with a mix of water and ammonia. The solution is then wiped onto the glass using either a sponge or Www.913875.Xyz (Https://Www.913875.Xyz/Ykj08Y-K5Dt-U4O-98K2D6-84Hll9F-1218/) rag. For tougher staining, leave the solution on for a couple of minutes before wiping the glass again.