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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 which produce less pollution. Undark discovered that some of the newer stoves may not meet EPA standards.

In the midst of rising energy costs, cities are looking for ways to cut down on the use of wood, particularly in areas where air quality is poor. Here are 10 tips to improve the quality of your indoor air and gain more heat from every log.

Efficiency

Wood stoves are among the most efficient ways to heat your home. Modern wood stoves certified by the EPA burn logs quickly and produce less smoke than older models. This allows you to burn a higher percentage of the potential energy of your fire in a shorter time and reduce your heating bills by as much as 30 percent. The efficiency of wood stoves improves over the life of the stove when you use only seasoned hardwood.

Older wood stoves are efficient at 50 percent or lower. This means that a significant portion of the potential energy in the fire is lost when carbon monoxide and smoke are released into the air. Modern stoves boast efficiency of up to 85 percent or greater, which is comparable to the efficiencies of oil and gas furnaces.

The higher efficiency of wood stoves can be achieved by controlling the fuel, air and combustion process. Wood stoves that control airflow can slow down the speed at which fire is moving through the wood, and permit the gases produced to stay hot and fully combust.

Modern wood stoves can also recycle the byproducts from incomplete combustion to create a new fire that produces more efficient combustion. This process is known as reburn and can improve the efficiency of wood stoves by as much as 10 percent.

Another benefit of using wood as a source for heat is that it is carbon neutral. Trees absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere while growing and release oxygen when they burn. Wood is a sustainable resource for the environment, especially when it comes from local woodlands, which are managed in a manner that encourages healthy tree growth.

Cleanliness

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

Emptying the ashes is the most frequent task when cleaning your wood stove. Wear gloves that are protective and wait until the stove has cool down. Choose a metal container that is big enough to hold all of the ashes, and dump them outdoors away from anything that could be able to ignite. You can also incorporate the ashes into your compost for a healthy addition to you garden.

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

As for the inside of your stove, glass doors that are clean allow you to take a look of the flames dancing and help you know when it's time to begin the fire again. Make sure to have a glass cleaning solution on hand in order to remove any smudged or tarred areas. If the glass is very dirty, you can make use of newspaper soaked in water and ash to clean it. Avoid scratching the glass because this could cause it to shrink and break when heated.

The buildup of creosote inside your chimney flue is one the main causes of chimney fires. Creosote is extremely flammable, and any layer of even a few millimeters can cause an explosion in your chimney. Clean the flue regularly, especially if you burn pine or other soft woods that produce more creosote than other kinds of wood.

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

Safety

Wood stoves emit harmful gasses like carbon monoxide and particulates. These toxins enter the home and 913875.xyz, https://Www.913875.xyz/, can have negative health effects for young people, older adults or those with respiratory conditions like asthma or COPD. Exposure to wood smoke over time can also cause heart disease and cause lung damage.

To avoid these risks It is crucial to follow proper wood stove burning procedures. This includes making sure that the stove is operating properly and that it has sufficient heat output to the size of the room and design. Only dry, well-seasoned hard woods are suitable for burning in the stove. The moisture content should be below 20%. If the moisture content of the firewood is higher it will burn more quickly and produce a smoky fire with more creosote buildup on the chimney vent pipe's wall.

A strong draw is an important safety element. This can be achieved by monitoring the amount of air that flows into the firebox as well as through the chimney. The majority of modern stoves offer various ways to regulate the flow of air, and the owner's manual includes procedures. When you operate the air controls correctly, you will ensure the highest heating efficiency.

The chimney and flue pipe must be free of fire-prone materials, like drapes, trash or www.913875.xyz - please click the following internet site, paper. The fires that occur in wood stoves are often caused by an insufficient clearance between combustibles wood-burning appliances as well as combustibles.

It is also essential to keep children out of wood stoves when the fire is burning or when the ashes are being removed. Children are naturally curious and they can touch hot surfaces on the stove or place their hands on the fire. It is recommended to put up a child-proof barrier around the fireplace or make use of the fireplace screen. It is also crucial to examine the wood stove and fireplace regularly for signs of wear.

It is also essential to have your stove and chimney professionally examined at least once a year to ensure there is no creosote buildup, bird nests and other problems which can affect the safety of your stove. This will help avoid fires, health hazards and reduce the need for carbon monoxide remediation.

Maintenance

Wood stoves are an excellent method of saving the cost of heating your home however, they require additional maintenance. If you do not perform the necessary maintenance, your wood stove can cause a dangerous fire to escape the flue or chimney and could even trigger an explosion in your home. In addition to cleaning the chimney and cleaning the stove, you must to clean and sweep the stove's surfaces and flue. Keep a fire extinguisher in hand and test it regularly. It is also a good idea to put smoke detectors in the house, especially one in the room that houses the stove.

In general it is recommended to clean your chimney and stove at least once a year. The cleaning schedule is dependent on the amount that the stove is used, and may be required to be done more frequently during winter. Make sure to use only dry and seasoned wood to burn in the stove. Avoid using a lot of oil or kerosene for starting the fire. These fuels could release toxic gases and can be harmful to your health.

During your regular cleaning and maintenance, be sure to inspect the gaskets of your doors. They are usually made of rope-like braids which can degrade with repeated opening and closing. If you notice that the gasket is loosened and you need to replace it, buy a gasket made of fiberglass and some cement to fix it. The hinges of these doors must be examined as well.

It is crucial to examine chimneys and flues to make sure that they are clear of creosote and obstructions. During the inspection, look out for cracks, and other indications of damage in the chimney lining. Stovepipes need to be checked too and any gaps or dents must be fixed.

If you have a glass door 913875 for your wood stove, it's important to keep this clean. This can be accomplished quickly by mixing a solution of water and ammonia. A rag or sponge should be saturated with the solution and wiped across the glass's surface until it is completely clean. For tougher stains, you can leave the solution in place for 913875.xyz a few minutes prior to wiping it off again.