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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 that produce less pollution. But Undark found that some of these more modern stoves may not be able to meet EPA standards.

In the current climate of high energy costs, cities are trying to cut down on wood combustion, particularly in areas in which air quality is poor. Here are 10 tips to improve the quality of your indoor air and Www.5829186.xyz; Www.5829186.Xyz, gain more heat from each log.

Efficiency

Wood stove burning is one of the most efficient ways to heat your home. Modern wood stoves that are EPA-certified burn logs quickly and produce less smoke than older models. This lets you use more energy into your fire, and reduce heating costs by up to 30%. The efficiency of wood stoves also increases over the lifetime of the stove when you use only seasoned hardwood.

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

Wood stoves can be made more efficient by controlling the air, fuel, and combustion processes. Wood stoves that control airflow can slow down the speed at which flame moves through the wood and allow the gas that is produced to remain hot and combust completely.

Modern wood stoves are able to recycle the byproducts of incomplete combustion to create a new fire which is more efficient in burning. This process, referred to as reburn, can boost the efficiency of wood stoves by up to 10%.

Wood is also carbon neutral, which is another advantage. Trees absorb carbon dioxide from the air as they are growing and release oxygen when they burn. Wood is a renewable resource for the environment, especially when it is sourced from local woodlands that are managed in a way that promotes healthy tree growth.

Cleanliness

With 8.8 million households that use wood stoves in the United States, cleaning and maintenance are an important element of keeping your home warm. A dirty flue pipe or stove could cause carbon monoxide to build up and create fire hazards. Clean stoves, chimneys and flue pipes are more efficient.

The removal of ashes is the most frequent task when cleaning your wood stove. This should be done on a cool day when the stove isn't hot anymore, and you should wear protective gloves when handling the ashes. Select a container made of metal that will hold all of the ashes and then dispose of it outside away from anything that could burn. You can also incorporate the ashes to your compost for a healthy addition to you garden.

After the ashes have been removed from the stove, sweep the floor to remove dust. It is also a good idea to have at minimum 3 feet of space between your wood stove and any other combustible objects like curtains, pillows or toys. This will prevent the spread of a fire and burning the items.

As for the interior of your stove, a clean glass door allows you to take a look of the flames dancing and will help you determine when it's time to begin the fire again. Ensure that you have a glass cleaner on hand to remove any smudged or 5829186 tarred areas that might be present. If the glass is extremely filthy, you can make use of newspaper soaked in ash and water to clean it. Avoid scratching the glass as this could cause it to shrink and break when heated.

Creosote accumulation 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 the flue frequently especially if burning soft or pine woods produces more creosote.

To avoid creosote vapors entering your home, only burn seasoned and dry wood that has been cut in half or smaller. Also, never burn artificial logs or trash in your wood stove.

Safety

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

To reduce the risk of these issues to avoid these risks, it is vital to follow the proper wood stove burning practices. This includes making sure the stove is operating properly and has enough heat output for the size and shape of the room. In addition only dry, well-seasoned woods should be burned in the stove. The moisture content of the firewood must be less than 20%. If the moisture content of the wood is higher it will burn more quickly and create smoke that is smoky and has more creosote on the chimney vent pipe wall.

Another crucial safety concern is ensuring that the stove has a sufficient draw by observing the amount of air flowing into the firebox and through the chimney. Most modern stoves have various ways to adjust the air flow and the owner's manual contains the procedures. The highest heating efficiencies can be achieved when control of the air flow is properly used.

The flue and chimney pipes should be free of fire-prone materials, such as drapes, papers, trash or rug. Insufficient clearance between combustibles as well as wood-burning appliances is a major reason for house fires caused by wood stoves.

Keep children away from wood stoves when the flame is burning or when ashes are being removed. Children are naturally curious, and might try to touch the hot surfaces of a wood stove, or place their hands into the fire. Install a childproof 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 and tear.

It is also important to ensure that your chimney and stove are regularly inspected for creosote accumulation, bird nests and other issues that could affect the safety of your chimney or stove. This will help to prevent fires and 5829186.xyz health hazards as well as reducing the necessity for carbon monoxide remediation services.

Maintenance

Although wood stoves are a great way to save money on home heating but they also require additional maintenance. If you do not perform the necessary maintenance the wood stove could cause a dangerous fire to escape the flue or chimney and could even trigger a housefire. It is also recommended to clean the surfaces of the stove and flue. Keep an extinguisher on hand and test it regularly. Smoke detectors are also an excellent idea for all rooms of the house, but particularly in the area in which the stove is.

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

You should check the gaskets in your door at the time of your regular cleaning. These are often made from rope-like braids which can degrade with repeated closing and opening. If you notice that the gasket is loosened, purchase a replacement gasket made of fiberglass as well as some gasket cement to repair it. Likewise, the hinges on these doors should be inspected as well.

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

It is important to clean the glass door of your wood stove. This can be done easily with a mix of water and ammonia. The solution should be applied to the glass with either a sponge or rag. You can leave the solution for a few moments before wiping it over again.