15 Best Documentaries About Wood Stove Burning

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

Many communities have offered financial incentives to replace old corner wood burning stove stoves with EPA certified models that produce less pollutant. Undark discovered that some of the more recent stoves may not meet EPA standards.

In the current climate of high energy costs, a lot of cities are seeking to reduce the use of wood, especially in areas in which air quality is poor. Here are 10 strategies to improve the indoor air quality, and get more heat out of each log.

Efficiency

Wood stoves are among the most energy-efficient ways to heat your home. Modern EPA certified wood stoves burn up logs quickly and produce less creosote compared to older models. This allows you to burn more energy in your fire, and reduce heating expenses by as much as 30%. If you use only well-seasoned wood, the efficiency of wood stoves will increase over the lifetime of the stove.

Older wood stoves have an efficiency of 50 percent or lower. This means that carbon dioxide and smoke are released into the air, resulting in losing half of the energy potential of the fire. Modern stoves can boast an efficiency of 85% or more. This is comparable to oil and gas furnaces.

Wood stoves can be made more efficient by controlling airflow, fuel, and combustion processes. Wood stoves that have controlled airflow can slow the speed at which the fire moves through the wood, allowing gases to stay hot and completely burn.

In addition modern wood stoves can recycle the waste products of incomplete combustion into a new fire that is more efficient in burning. This process, called reburn, can boost the efficiency of wood stoves by up to 10%.

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

Cleanliness

With 8.8 million households that use wood stoves in the United States, cleaning and maintenance are an essential element of keeping your home warm. A dirty stove and pipe could be an ignition source and can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning. Clean stoves, flue pipes and chimneys are more efficient.

The most commonly-asked task with cleaning your wood stove is emptying the ashes. This should be done on a day that is cool, when the stove isn't as hot, and you should wear protective gloves when handling the ashes. Choose a metal container that can accommodate all of the ashes and dump it outside, away from anything that could burn. You can also add the ashes to your compost pile for an organic addition to your garden.

While the ashes have been removed from the stove, sweep the floor to remove dust. It is also a good idea to have at minimum 3 feet of space between your wood stove and any other combustible objects such as curtains, pillows or toys. This will stop the spread of fire and burning the items.

A clean glass door inside of your stove will allow you to see the dancing flames, and can aid you in determining when to light a new fire. Make sure that you have glass cleaner available to clean any smudged or tarred areas that may be present. If the glass is very filthy it is possible to use newspaper dipped in ash and water to wipe it down. Be careful not to scratch the glass, since scratches can weaken glass and cause it to shatter when it is heated.

The accumulation of creosote in your chimney flue is one of the primary causes of chimney fires. A few millimeters of creosote can cause a fire to the chimney. Clean the flue regularly, especially if burning soft or pine woods produce more creosote.

Burn only seasoned, dry wood that has been split in half or smaller. Do not burn artificial trash, logs or other items inside your wood stove.

Safety

Wood stove burning can produce extremely toxic gases, such as carbon monoxide and particulates. These toxins can enter the home and cause negative health effects for children, elderly adults, and those suffering from respiratory illnesses such as COPD or asthma. The exposure to wood smoke over time can cause heart disease and lead to lung damage.

To reduce the risk of these issues, it is essential to follow the proper wood stove burning procedures. This includes ensuring that the stove is working correctly and has sufficient energy output to meet the dimensions and design of the room. Only dry, well-seasoned and dry woods are suitable for burning in the stove. The moisture content of the wood must be less than 20%. If the moisture content of the firewood is higher it will burn faster and produce an smoky flame with more creosote on the chimney vent pipe wall.

A strong draw is an 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 alter the flow of air in most modern stoves. When you operate the air controls correctly, you will ensure the highest efficiency in heating.

The chimney and flue pipe must be free of all combustible material, such as drapes, trash or paper. The wood stove fires are usually caused by inadequate clearance between combustibles, wood-burning appliances, and combustibles.

Be sure to keep children out of wood stoves when the fire is burning or the ashes are being removed. Children are naturally curious and they can touch hot surfaces on a wood stove or place their hands on the fire. It is recommended to set up a childproof gate around the fireplace or use the fireplace screen. Additionally, it is important to regularly check the fireplace and wood stove for signs of wear.

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

Maintenance

Wood stoves can be an effective way to lower your heating expenses, but they require some extra maintenance. If you do not do the necessary maintenance on your wood stove, it could cause a fire that escapes the flue, which could lead to a chimney fire, or a house fire. It is important to clean the stove's surfaces and flue. Keep an extinguisher in your house and test it often. Smoke detectors are a great idea throughout the home, but they are especially useful in the area where the stove is located.

As a rule you should clean the stove and chimney at least once per year. Cleaning schedules need to be adjusted depending on how often the stove is used. It is possible to clean it more frequently in winter. Only use dry and seasoned wood for burning in the stove. It is best to avoid using a lot of kerosene or oil when starting the fire, as these fuels burn differently and can generate toxic gases that can be extremely dangerous to your health.

It is recommended to check the gaskets on your door when you clean them regularly. These are usually made of a braided substance that may become degraded over time. If you notice that the gasket is not tight and you need to replace it, buy a fiberglass gasket and some gasket cement to fix it. The hinges on these doors should be checked as well.

Chimneys and flues must be inspected to ensure that they are free of creosote accumulation and 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 should be repaired.

It is crucial to clean the glass door of your wood stove. You can easily do this by mixing water and ammonia. The solution is then applied to the glass with either a sponge or rag. For tougher staining, you can leave the solution on for a few minutes before wiping it off again.