Wood Stove Burning Tips From The Most Successful In The Business

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 produce less pollution. Undark discovered that some of the latest stoves might not meet EPA standards.

In an era of high energy costs, cities are trying to cut down on wood combustion, particularly in areas in which air quality is poor. Here are 10 ways to improve indoor air quality and extract more heat of each log burning stoves.

Efficiency

Wood stove burning is one of the most efficient methods to heat your home. Modern EPA certified wood stoves burn logs extremely quickly and produce less creosote than previous models. This makes it possible to burn a higher portion of the potential energy from your fire in a shorter time and reduce your heating bills by as much as 30 percent. The efficiency of wood stoves increases over the lifetime of the stove when you use only seasoned hardwood.

Older wood stoves have an efficiency of 50 percent or lower. This means that half of the potential energy generated by 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 similar to oil and gas furnaces.

Wood stoves can be made more efficient by controlling the air as well as the fuel and combustion processes. Wood stoves with controlled airflow can slow down the speed at which the flame moves through the wood, allowing gases to stay hot and completely burn.

In addition, modern contemporary wood burning stoves stoves can recycle the byproducts from incomplete combustion into a fresh fire that is more efficient in burning. This process is known as reburn, and can boost wood stove burning efficiency by up to 10 percent.

Wood is also carbon neutral, which is another advantage. As trees grow they absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen when they are burnt. Wood is also an environmentally sustainable resource, particularly when it is obtained from woodlands in the local area that are managed in a way that encourages the growth of healthy trees.

Cleanliness

With 8.8 million households using wood stoves in the United States, cleaning and maintenance are a crucial part of keeping the home warm. A dirty stove or flue pipe could cause carbon monoxide to build up and create fire hazards. Clean stoves, chimneys and flue pipes are also more efficient.

The most commonly-asked task with cleaning your wood stove is emptying the ashes. Wear gloves that are protective and wait until the stove is cool down. Choose a metal container that is large enough to accommodate all the ashes, and dump them outdoors away from anything that might burn. Alternately, you can add the ashes to your compost for an organic addition to your garden.

While the ashes are out of the stove, it is an ideal time to sweep the floor and remove any residual dust. It is important to keep at least 3 feet of space between your wood stove and any combustible materials like curtains, pillows or toys. This prevents a fire from getting out of control and burning these items.

Regarding the interior of your stove, glass doors that are clean allow you to take a look of the flames dancing and can help you tell when it's time to start an all-new fire. Be sure to have a glass cleaning solution in your kitchen to remove any tarred or smudged areas. If the glass is very filthy it is possible to make use of a newspaper that has been dipped in ash and water to wipe it down. Avoid scratching the glass because this can cause it to break or break when heated.

Creosote build-up on the inside of your flue is the primary cause of chimney fires. A few millimeters of creosote can cause a fire in the chimney. Clean the flue often especially in the event that burning soft or pine woods produces more creosote.

To avoid creosote vapors entering your home, only burn dry and seasoned wood that has been split in half or smaller. Also, never burn artificial logs or trash in your wood stove.

Safety

Wood stoves can release toxic gasses like carbon monoxide and particulates. These toxins enter the home and may have negative health effects for older adults, children or those suffering from respiratory issues such as asthma or COPD. Smoke from wood in the long run can lead to heart disease and cause lung damage.

It is essential to follow the correct wood stove burn practices to avoid these dangers. This includes making sure that the stove is functioning correctly and has sufficient heat output to the size of the room and style. In addition, only dry, well-seasoned woods should be burned in the stove. The moisture content of the wood must be less than 20%. If the moisture content is higher, it will burn more quickly and produce a more smoky fire, with more creosote accumulation on the chimney vent pipe walls.

A good draw is another essential safety feature. This can be accomplished by monitoring how much air flows into the firebox as well as through the chimney. The owner's manual will give detailed instructions on how to alter the flow of air in most modern stoves. Properly operating the air controls can ensure the highest heating efficiency.

Finally, the chimney and flue pipes must be kept free of combustible materials, including drapes, paper, trash or rug. The wood stove fires are often caused by an inadequate clearance between combustibles wood-burning appliances and combustibles.

Keep children away from wood stoves when the flame is burning or when the ashes are being removed. Children are naturally curious, and may try to touch the hot surfaces of a wood stove or put their hands into the flame. It is recommended to set up a childproof gate around the fireplace or to use a fireplace screen. It is also important to check the fireplace regularly and wood stove for signs of wear and tear.

It is also important to ensure that your stove and chimney are professionally examined at least every year to check for creosote buildup, bird nests, and other issues that could affect the safety of your stove. This will help prevent fires and health hazards and also lessen the need for CO2 or smoke remediation services.

Maintenance

While wood stoves are a great way to save money on heating bills however, they require additional maintenance. If you fail to take care of the required maintenance on your wood stove, it can result in a fire that escapes the flue, which could lead to a chimney fire, or an unintentional house fire. In addition to cleaning the chimney and cleaning the stove, it is essential to clean and sweep the surfaces in the stove and flue. It is also advisable to keep an extinguisher in your house and test it often. It is also recommended to install smoke detectors throughout the home, especially one in the room with the stove.

In general cleaning your chimney and stove at least once per year. The schedule for cleaning should be adjusted based on how much the stove is used, and it may need to be done more frequently during winter. Use only dry and seasoned wood to use in the stove. Avoid using lots of oil or kerosene to start the fire. These fuels could release toxic gases and be harmful to your health.

You should inspect the gaskets in your door during your regular cleaning. These are often made from rope-like braids that may become degraded with repeated opening and closing. If you notice that the gasket is not tight and you need to replace it, buy a gasket made of fiberglass and some cement to fix it. Also, the hinges on these doors must be checked as well.

It is important to inspect flues and chimneys to ensure that they are clear of obstructions and creosote. During this inspection, you should look for cracks in the chimney liner and any other indications of damage. Stovepipes must also be inspected, and any dents should be repaired.

It is crucial to clean the glass door of your wood stove. It is easy to accomplish this by mixing water and ammonia. A sponge or rag must be soaked in the solution and then wiped across the glass's surface until it is clean. For tougher staining, you can leave the solution on for a few minutes before wiping it off again.