Wood Stove Burning Tips From The Most Successful In The Business

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

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

In a time of rising energy costs, many cities are seeking to reduce wood combustion, particularly in areas where air quality is poor. Here are 10 ways to improve the indoor air quality and to get more heat out of each log.

Efficiency

Wood stoves are among the most energy-efficient ways to heat your house. Modern EPA certified wood stoves burn logs extremely quickly and produce less creosote than older models. This lets you burn a higher percentage of the potential energy from your fire in a shorter amount of time and lower your heating costs by up to 30 percent. If you use only seasoned hardwood, the efficiency of wood stoves will increase over the lifetime of the stove.

Older wood stoves generally have efficiencies of 50 percent or less. This means that a significant portion of the potential energy generated by the fire is lost because carbon monoxide and smoke are released into the air. Modern stoves have efficiency of 85 percent or more, which is comparable to the efficiencies of oil and gas furnaces.

The higher efficiencies of wood burning stove near me; http://sysprint.co.kr/bbs/board.php?bo_table=estimate&wr_id=1188574, stoves can be achieved by controlling the air, fuel, and combustion process. Wood stoves with controlled airflow can slow down the speed at which the fire moves through wood, allowing the gases to stay hot and fully burn.

Additionally modern wood stoves can recycle the byproducts from incomplete combustion into a new one that is more efficient in burning. This process is referred to as reburn and can increase wood stove burning efficiency by as much as 10 percent.

Wood is also carbon-neutral and carbon neutral, which is an additional benefit. As trees grow, 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

Cleaning and maintenance of 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 flue pipe could be a fire hazard, and could cause carbon monoxide poisoning. Clean stoves, flue pipes and chimneys are more efficient.

Cleaning the ashes is the most frequent task you can do when cleaning your wood stove. This is best done on a day that is cool, when the stove isn't as hot, and you should wear gloves to protect yourself when handling the ashes. Choose a container made of metal that is large enough to accommodate all the ashes, and dump them in a safe place away from anything that might be able to ignite. Alternately, you can add the ashes to your compost for an organic addition to your garden.

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

Regarding the inside of your stove, glass doors that are clean allow you to enjoy a view of the flames dancing and help you know when it's time to begin the fire again. Make sure that you have glass cleaner in your kitchen to remove any smudged or tarred areas that may be present. If the glass is very dirty it is possible to make use of newspaper soaked 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.

Creosote buildup on the inside of your flue is the primary cause of chimney fires. A few millimeters of creosote can cause a fire to the chimney. Clean your flue often particularly if you burn pine or other soft woods that generate more creosote than other kinds of wood.

Burn only dry, seasoned wood that has been cut in half or smaller. Never burn artificial logs, trash or other items in your wood stove.

Safety

Wood stoves emit harmful gases such as carbon monoxide or particulates. These harmful gases can be found in the home and can have negative health effects for young people, older adults or those with respiratory conditions such as asthma or COPD. Over time, wood smoke exposure can cause lung damage and heart disease.

It is important to adhere to the proper wood stove burn practices to avoid these dangers. This includes making sure the stove is operating correctly and has the right heat output for the size and design of the room. Only dry, well-seasoned hard woods should be burned in the stove. The moisture content should be below 20 percent. If the moisture content is higher, it will burn faster and produce a smoky fire that has more creosote building up on the chimney vent pipe walls.

A good draw is another important safety feature. This can be achieved by monitoring the amount of air that is flowing into the firebox and through the chimney. The owner's manual will give detailed instructions on how to alter the flow of air in most modern stoves. Correctly operating the air controls can achieve the highest efficiency of heating.

The flue and chimney pipes should be kept clear of any combustible materials, including drapes, papers, trash or carpets. The fires that occur in wood stoves are often caused by an inadequate clearance between combustibles, wood-burning appliances as well as combustibles.

Keep children away from wood stoves when the fire is burning or when ashes are being removed. Children are naturally curious and they might touch hot surfaces of the wood stove or put their hands in the fire. Install a child-proof fence around the fireplace or install a fireplace screen. It is also important to check the fireplace regularly and wood stove for signs of wear.

It is also crucial to have your chimney and stove professionally inspected at least once a year to check 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 services.

Maintenance

Wood stoves are an excellent method of saving the cost of heating your home, they do require some additional maintenance. If you don't take care of the required maintenance on your wood stove, it could cause a fire that is dangerous to escape the flue or chimney, and even cause an explosion in your home. In addition to sweeping the chimney and cleaning the stove, you must to sweep and clean the surfaces in the stove and flue. Keep a fire extinguisher on the counter and test it frequently. Smoke detectors are also an excellent idea for all rooms of the house, but particularly in the room where the stove is located.

In general you should clean the stove and chimney every year. Cleaning schedules should be adjusted according to how often the stove is used. It may be necessary to clean it more frequently in winter. You should also be sure to use only seasoned and dry wood to burn in the electric stove fires. Avoid using lots of oil or kerosene for starting the fire. These fuels can release toxic gases and be harmful to your health.

In the course of your regular cleaning it is important to inspect the gaskets of your doors. These are usually made of a braided substance that may become degraded over time. If you find that the gasket is not tight, purchase a replacement fiberglass gasket and some gasket cement to repair it. The hinges of these doors need to also be checked.

It is important to inspect chimneys and flues to ensure that they are clear of creosote and obstructions. During the inspection, look out for cracks or other signs of damage to the chimney lining. Stovepipes also need to be inspected, and any dents should be fixed.

If you have a glass door on your wood stove, it's important to keep this clean. You can accomplish this by mixing water with ammonia. The solution should be applied to the glass with an abrasive or sponge. It is possible to leave the solution for a few moments before wiping it off again.