How To Find The Perfect Wood Stove Burning Online

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

Many communities have offered incentives to purchase wood stoves with EPA-certified models which produce less polluting. But Undark discovered that some of these newer stoves might not be up to EPA standards.

In a time of rising energy costs, cities are trying to cut down on wood combustion, especially in areas where air quality is low. Here are 10 strategies to improve indoor air quality and extract more heat of each log.

Efficiency

Wood stoves are one of the most efficient ways to heat your home. Modern EPA certified wood stoves burn logs very quickly and produce less creosote than older models. This allows you to burn more of the energy in your fire, and reduce heating costs by up to 30%. The efficiency of wood stoves improves over the life of the stove if you use only seasoned hardwood.

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

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

Modern wood stoves can also recycle the byproducts from incomplete combustion to create a new flame that is more efficient in burning. This process is known 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. Trees absorb carbon dioxide from the air while growing and release oxygen when they are burned. Wood is a sustainable resource for the environment, especially when it is sourced from local woodlands managed in a manner that encourages healthy tree growth.

Cleanliness

Cleaning and maintaining wood stoves is essential for keeping homes warm. In the United States, 8.8 million households utilize wood stoves. A dirty flue pipe or stove can cause carbon monoxide and fire dangers. Clean chimneys, stoves and flue pipes are also more efficient.

The removal of 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 as hot, and you should wear gloves that are protective when handling the ashes. Choose a container made of steel that can accommodate all of the ashes, and then dump it outside away from anything that could burn. You can also add the ashes to your compost for an organic addition to your garden.

While the ashes are out of the stove, it is a good time to sweep the floor and remove any dust that remains. It is also a great idea to keep at least three feet between your wood stove and any combustible items like pillows or curtains. This will prevent the spread of a fire and burning the items.

A clean glass door on the inside of your stove will let you see the dancing flames, and it can also help you determine when to start a fresh fire. Make sure to have a glass cleaner in your kitchen to clean any tarred or smudged areas. Newspaper dipped in ash and water can be used to cleanse the glass if it's extremely filthy. Be careful not to scratch the glass as scratches can weaken the 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 tiny amount of creosote could cause a fire to the chimney. Clean the flue frequently especially in the event that burning soft or pine woods produce more creosote.

Burn only seasoned, dry wood that has been cut in half or smaller. Also, do not burn fake garbage or logs in your wood stove.

Safety

corner wood burning stove stoves can release extremely toxic gases, such as carbon monoxide and particulates. These toxins can enter the home, and can have negative effects on the health of young people, older adults, and those suffering from respiratory illnesses such as COPD or asthma. Exposure to wood smoke in the long run can lead to heart disease and lead to lung damage.

To prevent these risks It is crucial to follow proper wood stove burning procedures. This includes ensuring that the stove is operating correctly and has the right heat output for the size and shape of the room. In addition, only dry, well-seasoned hardwoods are allowed to be used in the stove. The moisture content of the firewood must be less than 20 percent. If the moisture content of the firewood is higher the fire will burn more quickly and create a smoky fire with more creosote buildup on the chimney vent pipe's wall.

Another crucial safety concern is to ensure that the stove has a sufficient draw by observing the amount of air flowing into the firebox and through the chimney. Modern stoves come with various ways to alter the flow of air and the owner's guide includes procedures. When you operate the air controls correctly, you will ensure the highest efficiency of heating.

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

It is also important to keep children away from wood stoves when the fire is in progress or when the ashes are being removed. Children are naturally curious, and may try to touch the hot surfaces of a wood stove, or put their hands in the fire. It is recommended to install a child-proof gate around the fireplace or use the fireplace screen. In addition, it is essential to regularly inspect the fireplace and wood stove for signs of wear and tear.

It is also important to have your chimney and stove professionally inspected at least every year to check for creosote buildup, bird nests and other issues that may affect the safety of your stove. This will help prevent fires and health hazards, and will also lessen the necessity for CO2 or smoke remediation services.

Maintenance

Wood stoves are an excellent method of saving money on heating bills, they do require some 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, and even cause an explosion in your home. In addition to sweeping the chimney and cleaning the stove, you must to clean and sweep the stove's surfaces and flue. You should also keep an extinguisher in your house and test it regularly. Smoke detectors are also an excellent idea for all rooms of the house, but particularly in the area where the stove is located.

As a rule, you should clean the chimney and stove once a 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 best to avoid using lots of oil or kerosene for starting the fire, as these fuels have different burning patterns and generate toxic gases that can be very harmful to your health.

You should check the gaskets on your door at the time of your regular cleaning. These are often made from rope-like braids which can degrade with repeated opening and closing. If you find that the gasket is not sealing properly and requires to be replaced, purchase a new gasket made of fiberglass and adhesive. The hinges of these doors must be inspected as well.

It is essential to check chimneys and flues to ensure that they are free of creosote and obstructions. During this 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 easily do this by mixing water with ammonia. A sponge or rag should be soaked in the solution, then wiped over the surface of the glass until it is clean. You can let the solution sit for a few minutes before wiping it off again.