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

Many communities have offered financial incentives to replace wood stoves with EPA-certified models that emit less polluting. Undark discovered that some of the latest stoves may not meet EPA standards.

In these times of high energy costs, cities are looking for ways to cut down on burning wood, particularly in areas that have poor air quality. Here are 10 strategies to improve indoor air quality and 913875 get more heat out of each log.

Efficiency

Wood stoves are among the most energy-efficient ways to heat your house. Modern EPA certified wood stoves burn up logs quickly and produce less creosote than previous models. This allows you to burn more energy in your fireplace and cut down on heating costs by up to 30%. The efficiency of wood stoves improves over the life of the stove when you use only seasoned hardwood.

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 because smoke and carbon monoxide are released into the air. Modern stoves can have an efficiency of 85 percent or more. This is similar to oil and gas furnaces.

Wood stoves can be improved by controlling the air as well as the fuel and combustion processes. Wood stoves that control airflow can slow down the speed at which flame moves through the wood, and permit the gases produced to stay hot and combust completely.

Additionally, modern wood stoves can recycle the waste products of incomplete combustion into a fresh fire that is more efficient in burning. This process is referred to as reburn, and can boost wood stove burning efficiency by as much as 10 percent.

Wood is also carbon-neutral which is a further benefit. Trees absorb carbon dioxide from the air while growing and release oxygen when they burn. Wood is a sustainable resource for the environment, particularly when it comes from local woodlands managed in a way that encourages healthy tree growth.

Cleanliness

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

The most commonly-asked task with cleaning your wood stove is emptying the ashes. Wear protective gloves and wait until the stove is cool down. Choose a metal container that can accommodate all of the ashes and then dispose of it outside, away from anything that could burn. You can also add the ashes to your compost for an excellent addition to your garden.

After the ashes have been removed from the stove, sweep the floor to eliminate any dust. It is recommended to have at least 3 feet of space between your wood stove and any other combustible objects like pillows, curtains or toys. This prevents the fire from growing out of control and burning these items.

As for the interior of your stove, glass doors that are clean allow you to enjoy a view of the dancing flames and help you know when it's time to start the fire again. Make sure to have a glass cleaning solution in your kitchen to get rid of any smudged or tarred areas. If the glass is very dirty it is possible to use newspaper dipped in water and ash to clean it. Avoid scratching the glass because this could cause it to weaken and 913875.Xyz break when heated.

The accumulation of creosote within your chimney flue is among the primary causes of chimney fires. Creosote is highly flammable, so a layer of even one millimeter can trigger a chimney fire. Clean the flue frequently particularly if you are burning pine or other soft woods that generate more creosote than other types of wood.

To avoid creosote vapors entering your home, you should only burn dry and seasoned wood that has been split in half or smaller. Never burn fake trash, logs or other objects in your wood stove.

Safety

Wood stoves are known to produce extremely harmful gases, including carbon monoxide and particulates. These toxins enter the home and can have negative health effects on young people, older adults or those with respiratory conditions like asthma or COPD. Over time, wood smoke exposure can cause heart disease and lung damage.

It is important to adhere to proper burning techniques for wood stoves to reduce the risk. This includes making sure that the stove is functioning correctly and is able to produce enough heat for the room size and style. 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, the fire will burn more quickly and create an smoky flame with more creosote buildup on the chimney vent pipe wall.

A good draw is another essential safety feature. This can be accomplished by monitoring how much air flows into the firebox as well as through the chimney. Most modern stoves have a variety of ways to alter the flow of air and the owner's guide includes the procedures. When you operate the air controls correctly, you can achieve the highest heating efficiency.

The chimney and flue pipe must be free of all materials that could ignite, including drapes, trash or paper. The fires that occur in wood stoves are usually caused by inadequate clearance between combustibles wood-burning appliances and combustibles.

Keep children away from wood stoves while the fire is burning or when ashes are being removed. Kids are naturally curious and might try to touch the hot surfaces of a wood stove or put 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 and wood stove often for signs of wear and tear.

It is also important to ensure that your stove and chimney are professionally examined at least once a year to ensure there is no creosote buildup, bird nests, 913875.xyz and other problems which can affect the safety of your stove. This will help avoid fires and health hazards as well as reducing the need for carbon monoxide remediation services.

Maintenance

Wood stoves can be an excellent way to cut down your heating expenses, but they need some additional maintenance. If you don't perform the necessary maintenance on your wood stove, it could result in a fire that escapes the flue, 913875 (https://www.913875.xyz/4hemb-02i-ih173-8k8hvg-A1w5-4387) which could lead to a chimney fire, or even a house fire. In addition to sweeping the chimney and cleaning the stove, you must to clean and sweep the surfaces in the stove and flue. Keep a fire extinguisher in the counter and test it frequently. Smoke detectors are also beneficial throughout the house, but especially in the area in which the stove is.

As a general rule it is recommended to clean your stove and chimney at least once a year. Cleaning schedules need to be adjusted according to how often the stove is used. It is possible to clean it more often in winter. Also, make sure to make sure to use only dry and seasoned wood for burning in the stove. It is best to avoid using a lot of kerosene or oil for beginning the fire, because these fuels burn differently and generate toxic gases that can be dangerous to your health.

During your regular cleaning, you should check the gaskets on your doors. These are usually made of a braided material that can be damaged over time. If you notice that the gasket is loose, purchase a replacement gasket made of fiberglass as well as some gasket cement to repair it. Likewise, the hinges of these doors need to be examined as well.

Chimneys and flues should be inspected to ensure they are free of creosote build up and obstructions. During this inspection, look for cracks in the chimney liner and any other signs of damage. Stovepipes also need to be inspected, and any dents should be repaired.

It is crucial to clean the glass door of your wood stove. This can be accomplished easily with a mix of ammonia and water. The solution should be wiped onto the glass using a rag or 913875.xyz sponge. For tougher staining, leave the solution on for a few minutes before wiping it off again.