Why Wood Stove Burning Is Still Relevant In 2023

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 more modern stoves may not meet EPA standards.

In a time of high energy prices, many cities are looking for ways to reduce wood burning, especially in areas that have poor air quality. Here are ten tips to improve the quality of indoor air and get more heat from each log.

Efficiency

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

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

The higher efficiency of wood stoves can be achieved by controlling the fuel, air and combustion process. Wood stoves that control airflow can slow down the speed at which the fire is moving through the wood and allow the gases that are produced to remain hot and combust completely.

Modern wood stoves can recycle the byproducts of incomplete combustion to create a new fire that burns more efficiently. This process is referred to as reburn and can increase the efficiency of wood stoves 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 burnt. Wood is a renewable resource for the environment, especially when it comes from local woodlands, which are managed in a way that promotes healthy tree growth.

Cleanliness

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

The removal of ashes is the primary task you can do when cleaning your wood stove. This is best done on a day that is cool, when the stove is no longer hot, and you should wear gloves to protect yourself when handling the ashes. Select a metal container big enough to hold all of the ashes, and dump them outdoors away from anything that might burn. Alternately, you can add the ashes to your compost for an excellent addition to your garden.

When the ashes have been cleared of the stove, it's an ideal time to sweep the floor and vacuum up any residual dust. It is also a great idea to keep at least three feet space between your wood stove and any combustible things such as curtains or pillows. This helps to prevent a fire from getting out of control and burning these items.

A clear glass door on the interior of your stove will allow you to see the dancing flames and it will also help you determine when to light a fire. Make sure you have glass cleaner available to get rid of any smudged or tarred areas that may be present. If the glass is extremely dirty it is possible to make use of a newspaper that has been dipped in ash and water to clean it. 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 among the primary causes of chimney fires. A few millimeters of creosote can cause a fire in the chimney. Clean the flue often particularly when burning soft or pine woods produce more creosote.

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

Safety

Wood stoves can release very toxic gases, including carbon monoxide and particulates. These toxins enter the home and may have negative health effects for children, elderly adults or people suffering from respiratory ailments such as asthma or COPD. Exposure to wood smoke over time can also cause heart disease and lead to lung damage.

It is essential to follow the correct burning practices for wood stoves to avoid these dangers. This includes ensuring the stove is functioning properly and has enough energy output to meet the dimensions and shape of the room. In addition only dry, well-seasoned hardwoods are allowed to be burned in the stove. The firewood's moisture content should not exceed 20%. If the moisture content of the firewood is higher it will burn faster and produce a smoky fire with more creosote buildup on the chimney vent pipe wall.

A strong draw is an essential safety feature. This can be achieved by monitoring the amount of air that flows into the firebox as well as through the chimney. The owner's manual will give specific instructions on how to regulate air flow in the majority of modern stoves. The highest heating efficiencies can be achieved when the air controls are operated correctly.

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

Keep children away from wood stoves while the fire is burning or when the ashes are being removed. Children are naturally curious, and may want to touch the hot surfaces of the wood stove or even place their hands into the flame. It is recommended to put up a child-proof barrier around the fireplace or to use the fireplace screen. It is also important to inspect the fireplace and stove often for signs of wear.

Finally, it is essential to have your stove and chimney professionally inspected once per year for accumulation of creosote, bird nests and other issues that can impact the safety of your chimney or stove. This will help to prevent fires, health hazards and reduce the necessity for carbon monoxide remediation.

Maintenance

Although wood stoves are an excellent way to save money on home heating, they do require some 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, and even cause a housefire. You should also clean the surfaces of the stove and flue. Keep an extinguisher on hand and test it frequently. It is also a good idea to put smoke detectors throughout the home, especially one in the room with the stove.

In general, you should clean your stove and chimney at least once per year. Cleaning schedules should be adjusted in accordance with how frequently the stove is used. It might be necessary to clean it more often in winter. Make sure to use only dry and 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 have different burning patterns and generate toxic gases that can be extremely detrimental to your health.

You should inspect the gaskets on your door when you clean them regularly. These are usually made of a braided material which can become degraded over time. If you notice that the gasket is loosened and you need to replace it, buy a fiberglass gasket and some gasket cement to repair it. The hinges of these doors need to be examined as well.

It is important to inspect chimneys and fireplace and stove flues to ensure that they are free of creosote and obstructions. During the inspection, look for cracks and other signs of damage to the chimney lining. Stovepipes must be examined too and any dents or gaps should be repaired.

It is essential to clean the glass door of your wood stove. This can be done quickly by mixing a solution of water and ammonia. The solution is then wiped onto the glass using a rag or sponge. You can leave the solution for a few minutes before wiping it over again.