5 Wood Stove Burning Lessons From The Professionals

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 polluting. However, Undark found that some of these newer stoves might not be up to EPA standards.

In an era of high energy costs, many cities are looking to reduce wood combustion, particularly in areas in which air quality is poor. Here are ten things you can do to improve the quality of indoor air and get more heat powered stove fan out of every log.

Efficiency

Wood stoves are among the most efficient ways to heat your home. Modern EPA certified wood stoves burn up logs quickly and produce less creosote than older models. This lets you use more energy into your fire and reduce your heating expenses by as much as 30 percent. If you only use well-seasoned wood the efficiency of wood stoves increases over the life of the stove.

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

Wood stoves can be improved by controlling airflow as well as the fuel and combustion processes. Wood stoves that have controlled airflow can slow the speed at which the flame moves through wood, allowing gas produced to remain hot and completely burn.

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

Wood is also carbon neutral which is a further benefit. Trees absorb carbon dioxide from the air as they are growing and release oxygen when they burn. Wood is also an eco-friendly resource, particularly when it is obtained from local woodlands that are managed in a way that encourages the growth of healthy trees.

Cleanliness

Cleaning and maintenance of wood stoves is essential for keeping homes warm. In the United States, 8.8 million households utilize wood stoves. A filthy stove or flue pipe can lead to carbon monoxide and fire dangers. Clean chimneys, stoves and flue pipes are also more efficient.

Emptying the ashes is the most common task to do when cleaning your wood stove. This should be done on a day that is cool, when the stove is no longer hot and you must wear gloves to protect yourself when handling the ashes. Select a metal container big enough to hold all of the ashes, then take them in a safe place away from anything that might be able to ignite. You can also add the ashes to your compost pile for a healthy addition to your garden.

After the ashes have been removed from the stove, sweep the floor to remove any dust. It is also a good idea to leave at three feet of space between your wood stove and any other combustible objects such as curtains, pillows or toys. This will stop the fire from getting out of control and burning these things.

Regarding 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 is time to start an all-new fire. Be sure to have a glass cleaner on hand in order to remove any tarred or smudged areas. If the glass is extremely filthy you can make use of newspaper soaked in ash and water to wipe it down. Avoid scratching the glass as this could cause it to shrink and break when heated.

The accumulation of creosote within your chimney flue is one of the main causes of chimney fires. A few millimeters of creosote may cause a fire in the chimney. Clean the flue regularly, especially if you burn pine or other soft woods that generate more creosote than other types of wood.

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

Safety

Wood stove burning can produce very toxic gases, including carbon monoxide and particulates. These harmful gases can be absorbed into the home, and can have negative health effects for children, older adults, or people suffering from respiratory diseases such as COPD or asthma. The exposure to wood smoke over time can also cause heart disease and lead to lung damage.

To avoid these risks, it is essential to adhere to the correct wood stove burning practices. This includes making sure the stove is functioning properly and has enough power to heat the size and design of the room. Only dry, well-seasoned hard woods should be burnt in the stove. The firewood's moisture content should be less than 20%. If the moisture content is higher it will burn faster and produce a more smoky fire with more creosote build-up on the chimney vent pipe walls.

A well-drawn chimney is an additional essential safety feature. This can be accomplished by observing how much air is circulating through the firebox and through the chimney. Modern stoves come with various ways to adjust the air flow and the owner's guide has documented the procedures. The highest heating efficiencies can be achieved if the air controls are properly operated.

The chimney and flue pipes must be kept clear of any material that could ignite, such as drapes, paper, trash or carpets. The fires that occur in wood stoves are often caused by an insufficient clearance between combustibles wood-burning appliances and combustibles.

It is also important to keep children away from wood stoves while the flame is burning or when the ashes are being removed. Children are naturally curious, and they can touch hot surfaces of a wood stove or place their hands on the fire. It is recommended to install a child-proof gate around the fireplace or to use the fireplace screen. It is also essential to examine the fireplace and stove regularly for signs of wear.

Lastly, it is important to have your stove and chimney professionally inspected once per year for accumulation of creosote as well as bird nests and other problems that can affect the safety of your chimney and stove. This will help to prevent fires and health hazards as well as reducing the need for carbon monoxide remediation.

Maintenance

Although wood stoves are an excellent method of saving money on heating bills however, they require additional maintenance. If you do not perform the required maintenance, your wood stove can cause a dangerous fire to escape from the chimney or flue or even start a housefire. In addition to sweeping the chimney and cleaning the stove, you need to clean and sweep the surfaces in the stove and flue. Keep a fire extinguisher on the counter and test it frequently. It's also recommended to install smoke detectors throughout the home, especially one in the room that houses the stove.

As a rule, you should clean your stove and chimney at least once a year. The schedule of cleaning should be altered depending on how often the stove is used. It is possible to clean it more often in winter. You should also be sure to use only seasoned and dry wood to burn in the stove. Avoid using lots of oil or kerosene to ignite the fire. These fuels could release toxic gasses and pose a danger to your health.

You should inspect the gaskets in your door at the time of your regular cleaning. They are typically made of a braided material which can become degraded over time. If you notice the gasket is leaking and needs to be replaced, purchase an alternative gasket made of fiberglass and adhesive. The hinges of these doors need to also be checked.

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

It is crucial to clean the glass door of your wood stove. This can be done quickly by mixing a solution of ammonia and water. A sponge or rag should be soaked with the solution and then wiped across the glass's surface until it is clean. For more difficult staining, leave the solution in place for a couple of minutes before wiping the glass again.