The Most Successful Wood Stove Burning Gurus Can Do Three Things

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 polluting. However, Undark discovered that some of these more modern stoves may not be able to meet EPA standards.

In a time of high energy costs, cities are seeking ways to reduce wood burning, especially in areas where air quality is poor. Here are 10 strategies to improve the indoor air quality and extract more heat of each log burning stove.

Efficiency

Wood stoves are among the most efficient ways to heat your home. Modern EPA-certified wood stoves burn logs fast and produce less smoke than older models. This allows you to burn more of the energy in your fire, and reduce heating expenses by up to 30 percent. When you only use wood that has been seasoned, the efficiency of wood stoves will increase throughout the life of the stove.

Older wood stoves have an efficiency of 50 percent or lower. This means that a significant portion of the potential energy in the fire is lost as smoke and carbon monoxide are released into the atmosphere. Modern stoves boast efficiency of 85 percent or greater, which is comparable to the efficiencies of oil and gas furnaces.

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

Modern wood stoves can reuse the byproducts of incomplete combustion to create a new flame that burns more efficiently. This process is called reburn and can increase wood stove burning efficiency by up to 10 percent.

Another benefit of using wood as a source of heat is that it is considered carbon neutral. Trees absorb carbon dioxide from the air as they are growing and release oxygen when they burn. Wood is also an environmentally sustainable resource, particularly if it is obtained from woodlands in the local area that are managed in a way that encourages the growth of healthy trees.

Cleanliness

Cleaning and maintaining wood stoves is important for keeping homes warm. In the United States, 8.8 million households utilize wood stoves. 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 commonly-asked task with cleaning your wood burning stoves (Gunan published an article) stove is emptying the ashes. This is best done on a cool day, when the stove isn't as hot and you must wear gloves that are protective when handling the ashes. Select a metal container large enough to accommodate all the ashes, and dump them outdoors away from anything that might be able to ignite. Alternatively, you can add the ashes to your compost for a healthy addition to your garden.

When the ashes have been cleared of the stove, it's an ideal time to sweep the floor and sweep up any dust left behind. It is also a good idea to keep at least three feet space between your wood stove and any combustible items such as curtains or pillows. This will prevent the spread of a fire and burning the objects.

Regarding the inside of your stove, a clear glass door lets you to take a look of the dancing flames and can help you tell when it is time to start a new fire. Be sure to have a glass cleaning solution in your kitchen to clean any tarred or smudged areas. If the glass is extremely filthy you can use newspaper dipped in water and ash to wipe it down. Be careful not to scratch the glass, since scratches can weaken glass and shatter when it is heated.

Creosote accumulation on the inside of your flue is the primary cause of chimney fires. A few millimeters of creosote may cause a fire to a chimney. Clean the flue regularly particularly if you are burning pine or other soft woods that generate more creosote than other kinds of wood.

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

Safety

wood burning stove small stoves are known to produce very toxic gases, including carbon monoxide and particulates. These harmful gases can be found in the home and may have negative health effects on older adults, children or people suffering from respiratory ailments like asthma or COPD. Over time, wood smoke exposure can cause lung damage and heart disease.

It is crucial to adhere to proper wood stove burn practices to reduce the risk. This includes ensuring the stove is operating properly and has enough energy output to meet the dimensions and design of the room. Additionally, only dry, well-seasoned hardwoods should be used in the stove. The firewood's moisture content must be less than 20%. If the moisture content of the wood is higher the fire will burn faster and produce a smoky fire with more creosote on the chimney vent pipe's wall.

A strong draw is an important safety element. This can be accomplished by monitoring the amount of air that is flowing into the firebox and through the chimney. The majority of modern stoves offer several options to alter the flow of air, and the owner's manual contains procedures. When you operate the air controls correctly, you will ensure the highest efficiency in heating.

Additionally, the flue and chimney pipes should be kept free of fire-prone materials, such as drapes, papers, trash or carpets. The wood stove fires are usually caused by inadequate clearance between combustibles, wood-burning appliances and combustibles.

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 of the stove or place their hands in the fire. Install a childproof fence around the fireplace, or use a fireplace screen. It is also essential to inspect the wood stove and fireplace frequently for signs of wear.

It is also important to ensure that your stove and chimney are professionally inspected at least once a year to ensure there is no creosote buildup, bird nests and other issues that may affect the safety of your stove. This will reduce the risk of fires and health hazards, and will also lessen the need for smoke or CO2 remediation services.

Maintenance

While wood stoves are a great way to save money on home heating however, they require additional maintenance. If you don't do the necessary maintenance on your wood stove, it can cause a fire that escapes the flue, which could lead to a chimney fire, or an unintentional house fire. It is important to clean the surfaces of the stove and flue. Keep a fire extinguisher at the counter and test it frequently. It is also recommended to install smoke detectors around the house, especially one in the area with the stove.

In general, you should clean your chimney and stove at least once per year. The frequency of cleaning should be adjusted based on how much the stove is being used, and it might need to be done more frequently during winter. Only use dry and seasoned wood to use in the stove. Avoid using lots of oil or kerosene to start the fire. These fuels can produce toxic gases and can be harmful to your health.

During your regular cleaning, you should inspect the gaskets of your doors. They are typically made of rope-like braids which can be damaged by repeated opening and closing. If you notice that the gasket is not sealing properly and requires to be repaired, buy a new fiberglass seal and some gasket adhesive. The hinges of these doors should also be checked.

Chimneys and flues should be inspected to ensure that they are free of creosote build up and obstructions. During this inspection, look for cracks in the chimney liner, as well as any other indications of damage. Stovepipes should be inspected as well and any dents or gaps need to be filled.

If you have a glass door on your wood stove, it's essential to keep it clean. This can be accomplished quickly by mixing a solution of ammonia and water. The solution should be applied to the glass using a rag or sponge. For more difficult staining, you can leave the solution in place for a few minutes before wiping the glass again.