10 Wood Stove Burning Projects Related To Wood Stove Burning To Extend…

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

Many communities have provided financial incentives to replace old wood stoves with EPA-certified models that produce less polluting. But Undark found that some of these modern stoves may not be able to meet EPA standards.

In these times of high energy prices, a lot of cities are looking for ways to cut down on burning wood, particularly in areas where air quality is poor. Here are 10 ways to improve indoor air quality and to get more heat out of each log.

Efficiency

Wood stoves are one of the most efficient ways to heat your home. Modern wood stoves that are EPA-certified burn logs fast and produce less smoke than older models. This lets you burn a higher percentage of the potential energy from your fire in a shorter amount of time and cut down on your heating bill by up to 30 percent. If you only use seasoned hardwood the efficiency of wood stoves will increase over the life of the stove.

Older wood stoves usually have efficiency of 50 percent or less. This means that half the energy potential in the fire is lost when carbon monoxide and smoke are released into the atmosphere. Modern stoves boast efficiency of up to 85 percent or more, which is comparable to the efficiency of gas and oil furnaces.

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

Modern wood stoves can recycle the byproducts from incomplete combustion to create a new fire that is more efficient in burning. This process is known as reburn and can improve wood stove burning efficiency by up to 10 percent.

Wood is also carbon neutral, which is another advantage. When trees grow, they absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen when they are burned. Wood is also an eco-friendly resource, especially if it comes from local woodlands that are managed in a way that encourages the growth of healthy trees.

Cleanliness

Cleaning and maintenance of wood stoves is crucial to keeping homes warm. In the United States, 8.8 million households utilize wood woodburning stoves. A dirty stove or flue pipe could cause carbon monoxide to build up and create fire hazards. Clean stoves, chimneys and flue pipes are more efficient.

The most common task associated with cleaning your wood stove is to empty the ashes. This should be done on a day that is cool, when the stove is no longer hot and you must wear protective gloves when handling the ashes. Choose a container made of metal that is that is large enough to hold all the ashes, then take them in a safe place away from anything that could burn. You can also add the ashes to your compost pile for a healthy addition to your garden.

When the ashes have been cleared of the stove, it's a good time to sweep the floor and remove any residual dust. It is important to keep at minimum 3 feet of space between your wood stove and any other combustible objects such as curtains, pillows or toys. This will prevent the spread of fire and burning the objects.

As for the inside of your stove, a clean glass door allows you to enjoy a view of the dancing flames and can help you tell when it is time to start a new fire. Make sure you have a glass cleaning solution on hand in order to remove any smudged or tarred areas. Newspaper dipped in ash and water can be used to wash the glass if it is extremely filthy. Be careful not to scratch the glass, as scratches can weaken the glass and shatter when it is heated.

The buildup of creosote inside your chimney flue is one of the main causes of chimney fires. Creosote can be extremely flammable, so a layer of even one millimeter can trigger the chimney to catch fire. Clean the flue often particularly when burning pine or soft woods produce more creosote.

To avoid creosote vapors entering your home, you should only burn dry and seasoned wood that has been split in half or smaller. Also, do not burn fake logs or trash in your wood stove.

Safety

Wood stoves can release extremely toxic gases, such as carbon monoxide and particulates. These harmful gases can be absorbed into the home and cause negative health effects on young people, older adults, or those with respiratory ailments like COPD or asthma. Smoke from wood in the long run can lead to heart disease and eventually lung damage.

To prevent these risks It is crucial to adhere to the correct methods for burning wood on your stove. This includes making sure the stove is operating correctly and has the right energy output to meet the dimensions and shape of the room. In addition only dry, well-seasoned hardwoods should be used in the stove. The moisture content should be less than 20 percent. If the moisture content of the firewood is higher, the fire will burn faster and produce smoke that is smoky and has more creosote buildup on the chimney vent pipe wall.

A well-drawn chimney is an additional essential safety feature. This can be accomplished by observing how much air flows into the firebox and through the chimney. Modern stoves come with several options to regulate the flow of air, and the owner's manual contains the procedures. The best efficiency of heating can be achieved if the air controls are properly operated.

The flue pipe and chimney should be free of fire-prone materials, like drapes, trash or paper. The wood stove fires are often caused by an 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 when the ashes are being removed. Children are naturally curious, and they can touch hot surfaces of a wood stove or place their hands in the flame. It is recommended to install a child-proof barrier around the fireplace or employ a fireplace screen. It is also essential to inspect the fireplace and stove often for signs of wear and tear.

It is also important to have your stove and chimney professionally checked every year for the accumulation of creosote as well as bird nests and other problems that can affect the safety of your chimney or stove. This will help prevent fires and health hazards, as well as reduce the need for CO2 or smoke remediation services.

Maintenance

Wood stoves are a great way to reduce the cost of heating, however they require some extra maintenance. If you don't perform the required maintenance, your wood stove can cause a fire that is dangerous to escape the flue or chimney or even start fire in your home. It is important to clean the stove's surfaces and flue. Keep a fire extinguisher on your desk and check it frequently. It is also an excellent idea to place smoke detectors in the house, especially one in the area with the stove.

In general it is recommended to clean the chimney and stove every year. The cleaning schedule can be altered based on the amount that the stove is being used, and it might need to be done more frequently during winter. Also, make sure to make sure you use only dry and well-seasoned wood to burn in the stove. It is advised to avoid using lots of kerosene or oil when starting the fire, as these fuels burn differently and can generate toxic gases that can be very harmful to your health.

When you clean your house regularly and maintenance, be sure to inspect the gaskets of your doors. They are typically made of rope-like braids which can degrade with repeated opening and closing. If you notice that the gasket is loose you can purchase a new fiberglass gasket and some gasket cement to repair it. Also, the hinges on these doors should be inspected as well.

It is essential to check chimneys and flues to ensure that they are free of obstructions and creosote. During the inspection, look out for cracks, and other indications of damage to the chimney lining. Stovepipes must be examined too and any holes or dents must be fixed.

It is important to clean the glass door of your wood stove. You can do this by mixing water and ammonia. A sponge or rag should be soaked with the solution and then wiped across the surface of the glass until it is clean. For tougher staining, you can leave the solution in place for a few minutes before wiping the glass again.