How To Determine If You're In The Right Place For Wood Stove Burn…

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 that produce less pollutant. But Undark discovered that some of these modern stoves may not be able to meet EPA standards.

In the current climate of high energy costs, many cities are trying to cut down on wood combustion, particularly in areas in which air quality is poor. Here are ten ways you can improve indoor air quality 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 very quickly and produce less creosote than older models. This lets you use more energy into your fire, and reduce heating expenses by up to 30 percent. If you use only seasoned hardwood the efficiency of wood stoves will increase throughout the life of the stove.

Older wood stoves have an efficiency of 50 percent or lower. This means that half of the potential energy generated by the fire is lost when smoke and carbon monoxide are released into the air. Modern stoves can achieve efficiency of up to 85 percent or greater, which is comparable to the efficiency of gas and oil furnaces.

wood burning stove stoves can be improved by controlling the air combustion, fuel, and processes. Wood stoves that control airflow can slow down the speed at which fire moves through the wood and permit the gases produced to remain hot and fully combust.

Modern wood stoves can also reuse the byproducts of incomplete combustion to create a new flame that produces more efficient combustion. This process, referred to as reburn, can increase the efficiency of wood stoves up to 10%.

Another benefit of using wood as a source of heat is that it is carbon neutral. The trees absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere while growing and release oxygen when they burn. Wood is also an eco-friendly resource, especially if it is obtained from woodlands in the local area that are managed in a way that encourages the growth of healthy trees.

Cleanliness

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

Cleaning the ashes is the most frequent task you can do when cleaning your wood stove. This should be done on a day that is cool, when the stove isn't hot anymore, and you should wear gloves to protect yourself when handling the ashes. Select a metal container that is large enough to accommodate all the ashes, and then dump them outside away from anything that could be able to ignite. Alternately, you can add the ashes to your compost for an excellent addition to your garden.

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

A clear glass door inside of your stove will allow you to see the flames dancing, and it can also help you determine when to light a new fire. Make sure you have a glass cleaner on hand to clean any tarred or smudged areas that may be present. Newspaper dipped in ash and water can be used to wash the glass if it is extremely dirty. Be careful not to scratch the glass since scratches can weaken glass and cause it to shatter when the glass is heated.

The accumulation of creosote within your chimney flue is one of the main causes of chimney fires. Creosote is highly flammable, which is why an accumulation of just one millimeter can trigger the chimney to catch fire. Clean the flue regularly particularly if burning pine or soft woods produce more creosote.

To ensure that creosote-free vapors do not enter your home, only burn dry and seasoned wood that has been cut in half or smaller. Never burn fake trash, logs or other items in your wood stove.

Safety

Wood stoves emit harmful gases like carbon monoxide and particulates. These toxins can enter the home, and have negative health effects for children, older adults, or people suffering from respiratory diseases such as COPD or asthma. The exposure to wood smoke over time can also cause heart disease and lead to lung damage.

It is essential to adhere to proper wood stove burn practices in order avoid these risks. This includes ensuring that the stove is working properly and that it has sufficient heat output to the size of the room and style. In addition only dry, well-seasoned hardwoods are allowed to be burned in the stove. The moisture content of the firewood should not exceed 20 percent. If the moisture content is higher, it will burn faster and create a smokier fire, with more creosote accumulation on the chimney vent pipe walls.

Another important safety issue is to ensure that the stove has a good draw by monitoring the amount of air flowing into the firebox and through the chimney. The owner's guide will provide specific instructions on how you can adjust air flow in most modern stoves. Correctly operating the air controls can achieve the highest efficiency of heating.

The chimney and flue pipe must be free of all fire-prone materials, like drapes, trash or paper. Inadequate clearance between combustibles and wood-burning appliances is a leading cause of fires in homes caused by wood stoves.

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 may try to touch the hot surfaces of the wood stove or even put their hands in the flame. Install a child-proof fence around the fireplace, or use a fireplace screen. Additionally, it is important to regularly inspect the fireplace and wood stove for signs of wear.

Lastly, it is important to ensure that your chimney and stove are regularly inspected for the accumulation of creosote and bird nests, as well as other issues that could affect the safety of your chimney or electric stove Fires (intranet.welfarebox.com). This will help to prevent fires and health hazards, as well as reduce the need for smoke or carbon monoxide remediation services.

Maintenance

Although wood stoves are an excellent method of saving the cost of heating your home however, they require additional maintenance. If you don't take care of the necessary maintenance, your wood stove can cause a dangerous fire to escape the flue or chimney or even start an explosion in your home. It is important to clean the stove's surfaces and flue. You should also keep an extinguisher on hand and test it frequently. Smoke detectors are an excellent idea for all rooms of the house, but especially in the room where the stove is located.

As a rule, you should clean your chimney and stove at least once per year. The schedule for cleaning should be adjusted based on the amount that the stove is used, and it may require more frequently in winter. Make sure to use only dry and seasoned wood for burning in the stove. Avoid using lots of oil or kerosene to start the fire. These fuels can release toxic gases and be harmful to your health.

When you clean your house regularly it is important to check the gaskets on your doors. They are typically made of a braided material that can be damaged over time. If you find that the gasket is not sealing properly and requires to be replaced, purchase a new fiberglass seal and some gasket adhesive. The hinges of these doors need to be examined as well.

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

It is essential to clean the glass door of your wood stove. You can accomplish this by mixing water with ammonia. The solution is then applied to the glass using either a sponge or rag. For more difficult stains, you can leave the solution on for a couple of minutes before wiping the glass again.