The Not So Well-Known Benefits Of Wood Stove Burning

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 which produce less pollution. However, Undark found that some of these newer stoves might not be up to EPA standards.

In a time of high energy prices, many cities are looking for ways to reduce burning wood, particularly in areas with poor air quality. Here are ten things you can do to improve the quality of indoor air and get more heat from every log.

Efficiency

Wood stoves are one of the most efficient ways to heat your house. Modern EPA-certified wood stoves burn logs fast and produce less smoke than older models. This lets you make use of a larger portion of the potential energy from your fire in a shorter amount of time and lower your heating costs by as much as 30 percent. The efficiency of wood stoves also improves over the life of the stove when you only use seasoned hardwood.

Older wood stoves are efficient at 50 percent or less. This means that smoke and carbon dioxide are released into the air, which results in an evaporation of about half the energy potential of the fire. Modern stoves have efficiency of up to 85 percent or greater, which is comparable to the efficiency of oil and gas furnaces.

Wood stoves can be more efficient by controlling airflow combustion, fuel, and processes. Wood stoves that control the airflow are able to slow down the speed at which the flame moves through the wood and permit the gases that are produced to stay hot and fully combust.

In addition, modern wood stoves are able to recycle the byproducts of incomplete combustion into a fresh fire that produces more efficient combustion. This process, called reburn, can boost the efficiency of wood stoves by up to 10%.

Another advantage of using wood as a source of heat is that it is carbon neutral. As trees develop, they absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen when burnt. Wood is also an eco-friendly resource, particularly if it is obtained from local woodlands that are managed in a way that encourages the growth of healthy trees.

Cleanliness

Cleaning and maintaining wood stoves is essential for keeping homes warm. In the United States, 8.8 million households make use of wood stoves. A dirty stove and pipe can pose a fire hazard and cause carbon monoxide poisoning. Clean stoves, chimneys and flue pipes are also more efficient.

The removal of 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 isn't as hot and you must wear protective gloves when handling the ashes. Select a metal container large enough to hold all of the ashes, and then dump them outside away from anything that might cause a fire. Alternately, you can add the ashes to your compost pile for a healthy addition to your garden.

Once the ashes have been removed from the stove, you can sweep the floor to remove any dust. It is important to keep at minimum 3 feet of space between your wood stove and any combustible materials like pillows, curtains or toys. This prevents the fire from getting out of control and burning these things.

A clear glass door that is placed on the interior of your stove will allow you to see the flames dancing, and it can also assist you in determining the best time to light a new fire. Make sure you have a glass cleaner on hand to get rid of any tarred or smudged areas that may be present. If the glass is very dirty it is possible to make use of newspaper soaked in water and ash to clean it. Avoid scratching the glass because this could cause it to weaken and break when heated.

The accumulation of creosote within your chimney flue is one the main causes of chimney fires. Creosote is highly flammable, which is why a layer of even a few millimeters can cause an explosion in your chimney. Clean the flue regularly particularly if burning pine or soft woods produce more creosote.

Burn only dry, seasoned wood that is split in half or smaller. Never burn artificial garbage, logs, or other items inside your wood stove.

Safety

wood burning stoves for sale (her comment is here) stoves emit harmful gases like carbon monoxide and particulates. These toxins can enter the home and cause negative health effects for children, older adults, or people suffering from respiratory ailments like COPD or asthma. Exposure to wood smoke over time can also cause heart disease and cause lung damage.

It is important to follow the correct wood stove burn practices to avoid these dangers. This includes making sure the stove is functioning properly and has enough energy output to meet the dimensions and design of the room. Only dry, well-seasoned and dry woods should be burned in the stove. The moisture content should be less than 20 percent. If the moisture content is higher it will burn more quickly and produce a smoky fire that has more creosote building up on the chimney vent pipe walls.

A well-drawn chimney is an additional essential safety feature. This can be achieved by observing how much air flows into the firebox and through the chimney. The owner's guide will provide specific instructions on how to regulate air flow in the majority of modern stoves. Properly operating the air controls can achieve the highest heating efficiency.

The chimney and flue pipe must be free of all fire-prone materials, like drapes, trash or paper. The fires that occur in wood stoves are usually caused by inadequate clearance between combustibles, wood-burning appliances, and combustibles.

It is also important to keep children out of wood stoves while the fire is burning or while ashes are being removed. Kids are naturally curious and may want to touch the hot surfaces of a wood stove, or put their hands in the fire. Install a childproof fence around the fireplace, or install a fireplace screen. It is also crucial to examine the wood stove wood burning and fireplace regularly for signs of wear and tear.

It is also important to have your chimney and stove professionally checked at least once per year to look for creosote buildup, bird nests, and other problems which can affect the safety of your stove. This will help to prevent fires and health hazards, as well as reduce the need for smoke or carbon monoxide remediation.

Maintenance

Wood multifuel stoves can be an effective way to lower your heating expenses, but they require some extra maintenance. If you don't do the necessary 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 sweeping the chimney and cleaning the stove, you need to sweep and clean the stove's surfaces and flue. You should also keep an extinguisher on hand and test it regularly. Smoke detectors are a great idea throughout the house, but particularly in the area in which the stove is.

In general it is recommended to clean the chimney and stove at least once per year. The schedule of cleaning should be altered according to how often the stove is used. It may be necessary to clean it more often in winter. Make sure to use only dry and seasoned wood to burn in the stove. Avoid using a lot of oil or kerosene to start the fire. These fuels can release toxic gasses and pose a danger to your health.

In the course of your regular cleaning, you should inspect the gaskets of your doors. These are usually made of a braided material that can be damaged over time. If you notice that the gasket is loose you can purchase a new gasket made of fiberglass and some cement to fix it. The hinges of these doors need to be inspected as well.

Chimneys and flues must be examined to ensure that they are free of creosote build up and obstructions. During this inspection, look for cracks in the chimney liner and any other signs of damage. Stovepipes need to be checked as well, and any holes or dents should be repaired.

If you have a glass door for your wood stove, it is important to keep this clean. This can be accomplished quickly by mixing a solution of water and ammonia. The solution should be applied to the glass using an abrasive or sponge. For tougher stains, you can leave the solution in place for a few minutes before wiping it off again.