The Top Wood Stove Burning Gurus Can Do 3 Things

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

Many communities have provided incentives to purchase wood stoves with EPA-certified models that produce less pollution. However, Undark found that some of these newer stoves may not be able to meet EPA standards.

In a time of rising energy costs, cities are seeking to reduce wood combustion, particularly in areas where air quality is low. Here are ten things you can do to improve indoor air quality and get more heat out of every log.

Efficiency

Wood stoves are one of the most energy efficient methods to heat your home. Modern wood stoves certified by the EPA burn logs fast and produce less smoke than older models. This allows you to burn a higher percentage of the potential energy generated by your fireplace in a shorter amount of time and lower your heating costs by as much as 30 percent. If you only use seasoned hardwood, the efficiency of wood stoves will increase over the life of the stove.

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

Wood stoves can be improved by controlling the air, multi fuel stoves, and combustion processes. Wood stoves with controlled airflow can slow down the speed at which the fire moves through wood, allowing gases produced 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 is called reburn and can increase the efficiency of wood stoves by up to 10 percent.

Another advantage of using wood as a source of heat is that it is carbon neutral. When trees develop, they absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen when burned. Wood is also an environmentally sustainable resource, especially if it comes from woodlands in the local area that are managed in a manner 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 filthy stove or flue pipe can cause carbon monoxide and fire hazards. Clean stoves, chimneys and flue pipes are more efficient.

The most commonly-asked task with cleaning your wood stove is emptying the ashes. This is best done on a cool day when the stove isn't as hot and you must wear gloves that are protective when handling the ashes. Select a metal container large enough to hold all the ashes, and then dump them outdoors away from anything that could cause a fire. Alternately, you can add the ashes to your compost pile for an excellent addition to your garden.

While the ashes are out of the stove, it is a good time to sweep the floor and vacuum up any dust left behind. It is also a good idea to leave at least three feet between your wood stove and any other combustible objects such as curtains or pillows. This will prevent the spread of fire and burning the items.

A clean glass door that is placed on the interior of your stove will let you see the dancing flames and can aid you in determining when to light a new fire. Make sure to have a glass cleaning solution in your kitchen to remove any tarred or smudged areas. If the glass is extremely filthy it is possible to make use of a newspaper that has been dipped in ash and water to clean it. Avoid scratching the glass because this could cause it to weaken and break when heated.

Creosote build-up on the inside of your flue is a major cause of chimney fires. Creosote can be extremely flammable, so a layer of even millimeters could cause the chimney to catch fire. Clean the flue regularly particularly if you burn pine or other soft woods that generate more creosote than other types of wood.

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

Safety

Wood stoves can release toxic gases like carbon monoxide or particulates. These toxins can make their way into the home, and can have negative health effects on young people, older adults, and those suffering from respiratory diseases such as COPD or asthma. As time passes exposure to wood smoke may cause heart disease and lung damage.

To avoid these risks It is crucial 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 hard woods should be burnt in the stove. The firewood's moisture content must be less than 20%. If the moisture content is higher it will burn faster and create a smokier fire with more creosote build-up on the chimney vent pipe's walls.

Another important safety issue is ensuring that the stove has a good draw by observing the amount of air flowing through the firebox and the chimney. The owner's manual will give specific instructions on how you can alter the flow of air in most modern stoves. The highest efficiency in heating can be achieved when the control of the air flow is properly used.

The flue and chimney pipes should be free of combustible materials, including drapes, paper, or rug. A lack of clearance between combustibles and wood-burning appliances is a leading cause of house fires caused by wood stoves.

It is also essential to keep children out of wood stoves while the fire is burning or while the ashes are being removed. Children are naturally curious and they may touch the 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 inspect the fireplace and stove frequently for signs of wear and tear.

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

Maintenance

Although wood stoves are a great way to save money on heating bills, they do require some additional maintenance. If you don't perform the required maintenance on your wood stove, it could cause a dangerous fire to escape from the chimney or flue and could even trigger 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 often. It's also an excellent idea to place smoke detectors throughout the home, especially one in the area with the stove.

In general, you should clean the chimney and stove every year. The cleaning schedule can be altered based on how often 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. It is best to avoid using a lot of oil or kerosene for starting the fire, since these fuels have different burning patterns and create toxic gases that can be dangerous to your health.

It is recommended to check the gaskets in your door at the time of your regular cleaning. They are usually made of rope-like braids which can be damaged by repeated closing and opening. If you notice that the gasket is not sealing properly and requires to be replaced, purchase a replacement gasket made of fiberglass and adhesive. The hinges of these doors should be examined as well.

It is essential to check chimneys and flues to make sure that they are clear of obstructions and creosote. During the inspection, look for cracks and other signs of damage to the chimney lining. Stovepipes must also be inspected, and any dents should be repaired.

It is crucial to clean the glass door of your wood stove. This can be done quickly by mixing a solution of water and ammonia. A sponge or rag must be soaked in the solution and wiped across the glass's surface until it is clean. You can leave the solution for a few moments before wiping it again.