• 목록
• 답변
• 글쓰기
• 게시판 리스트 옵션
  • 수정
  • 삭제

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

Many communities have provided 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 a time of rising energy costs, many cities are seeking to reduce wood combustion, particularly in areas where air quality is low. Here are 10 tips 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 house. Modern EPA certified wood stoves burn logs extremely quickly and produce less creosote than previous models. This lets you burn more energy into your fire and reduce your heating expenses by as much as 30 percent. If you use only well-seasoned wood the efficiency of wood stoves increases over the lifetime of the stove.

Older wood stoves have an efficiency of 50 percent or less. This means that half the energy potential in the fire is lost when carbon monoxide and smoke are released into the atmosphere. 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 more efficient by controlling the air, multi fuel stove, and combustion processes. Wood stoves that have controlled airflow can slow down the speed at which the flame moves through the wood, allowing gas produced to remain hot and completely burn.

Modern wood stoves can reuse the byproducts of incomplete combustion to create a new flame that produces more efficient combustion. This process is referred to as reburn, and can boost the efficiency of wood stoves by as much as 10 percent.

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 are burned. wood burning stoves for sale is also an environmentally sustainable resource, especially if it comes from local woodlands that are managed in a way that encourages the growth of healthy trees.

Cleanliness

Cleaning and electric stove heaters maintaining wood stoves is important for keeping homes warm. In the United States, 8.8 million households use wood stoves. A dirty electric stove heaters (navigate to this web-site) or flue pipe can cause carbon monoxide and fire hazards. Clean stoves, chimneys and flue pipes are also more efficient.

The most commonly-asked task with cleaning your wood stove is to empty the ashes. This should be done on a cool day when the stove isn't hot anymore and you must wear protective gloves when handling the ashes. Choose a container made of steel that can hold all the ashes and dump it outside away from anything that may ignite. You can also incorporate the ashes to your compost to make 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 keep at minimum 3 feet of space between your wood stove and any combustible materials such as curtains, pillows or toys. This will stop a fire from getting out of control and burning these items.

Regarding the interior of your stove, glass doors that are clean allow you to take a look of the flames dancing and will help you determine when it is time to start an all-new fire. Make sure to have a glass cleaning solution on hand in order to clean any tarred or smudged areas. Newspaper dipped in ash and water can be used to wash the glass if it is extremely dirty. Be careful not to scratch the glass, as scratches can weaken the glass and shatter when it is heated.

The accumulation of creosote within your chimney flue is among the main causes of chimney fires. Creosote can be extremely flammable, so an accumulation of just a few millimeters can cause an explosion in your chimney. Clean the flue often particularly in the event that burning pine or soft woods create more creosote.

Burn only seasoned, dry wood that has been cut in half or smaller. Also, don't burn artificial wood 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 enter your home and can have negative health effects for children, elderly adults or people suffering from respiratory ailments such as asthma or COPD. Exposure to wood smoke over time can also cause heart disease and lead to lung damage.

It is important to follow the correct wood stove burn practices to reduce the risk. This includes making sure that the stove is operating correctly and has sufficient heat output for the room size and Electric Stove heaters style. Additionally, only dry, well-seasoned hardwoods are allowed to be used in the stove. The moisture content should be below 20%. If the moisture content is higher it will burn more quickly and produce a smoky fire that has more creosote building up on the chimney vent pipe's walls.

A strong draw is an important safety element. This can be accomplished by monitoring how much air is circulating through the firebox and through the chimney. Most modern stoves have a variety of ways to alter the flow of air and the owner's manual has documented the procedures. The highest efficiency in heating can be achieved when the air controls are operated correctly.

Additionally, the chimney and flue pipes must be kept free of material that could ignite, such as drapes, paper, trash or carpets. Insufficient clearance between combustibles as well as wood-burning appliances is a leading reason for house fires caused by wood stoves.

Be sure to keep children out of wood stoves while the fire is burning or when ashes are being removed. Children are naturally curious, and they can touch hot surfaces on a wood stove or place their hands on the fire. It is recommended to put up a child-proof gate around the fireplace or employ the fireplace screen. Additionally, it is important to regularly check the fireplace and wood stove for signs of wear.

It is also important to ensure that your chimney and stove are professionally inspected once per year for creosote accumulation and bird nests, as well as other issues that could affect the safety of your chimney and stove. This will help avoid fires, health hazards and reduce the need for carbon monoxide remediation.

Maintenance

While wood stoves are an excellent method of saving the cost of heating your home, they do require some additional maintenance. If you don't take care of the necessary maintenance, your wood stove can cause a fire that is dangerous to escape the flue or chimney or even start fire in your home. In addition to sweeping the chimney and cleaning the stove, it is essential to sweep and clean the surfaces in the stove and flue. Keep a fire extinguisher at hand and test it regularly. Smoke detectors are also beneficial throughout the house, but particularly in the room in which the stove is.

In general, you should clean your stove log burner and chimney at least once a year. The frequency of cleaning is dependent on the amount that the stove is used, and it may require more frequently in winter. You should also be sure to make sure you use only dry and well-seasoned wood for burning in the stove. Avoid using a lot oil or kerosene to start the fire. These fuels can produce toxic gases and can be harmful to your health.

You should inspect your door gaskets at the time of your regular cleaning. They are typically made from a braided substance that may degrade over time. If you find that the gasket is leaking and needs to be replaced, purchase an alternative gasket seal made of fiberglass and adhesive. Also, the hinges on these doors must be examined as well.

It is crucial to examine chimneys and flues to ensure that they are clear of creosote and obstructions. During the inspection, look for cracks in the chimney liner as well as any other indications of damage. Stovepipes need to be checked too and any holes or dents must be fixed.

It is essential to clean the glass door of your wood stove. This can be accomplished easily by using a mixture of ammonia and water. The solution should be applied to the glass with an abrasive or sponge. For tougher staining, you can leave the solution on for a few minutes prior to wiping again.