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

Many communities have provided financial incentives to replace old wood stoves with EPA certified models that produce less pollution. Undark discovered that some of the newer stoves may not meet EPA standards.

In the current climate of high energy costs, a lot of cities are looking to reduce the use of wood fire stove, especially in areas where air quality is poor. Here are 10 ways to improve indoor air quality, and to get more heat out of each log.

Efficiency

Wood stoves are among the most energy efficient methods to heat your house. Modern wood stoves certified by the EPA burn logs fast and produce less smoke than older models. This lets you use more 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 wood that is seasoned.

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

The higher efficiencies of wood stoves are made by controlling the air, fuel and combustion process. Wood stoves that control the airflow can slow down the speed at which the flame moves through the wood and allow the gases produced to remain hot and combust completely.

In addition, modern wood stoves are able to recycle the byproducts of incomplete combustion into a new fire that is more efficient in burning. This process is referred to as reburn, and can boost wood stove burning efficiency by up to 10 percent.

Another advantage 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 are burned. Wood is a renewable resource for the environment, especially when it comes from local woodlands, which are managed in a way that encourages healthy tree growth.

Cleanliness

Cleaning and maintenance of wood stoves is important for keeping homes warm. In the United States, 8.8 million households use wood stoves. A dirty flue pipe or stove could cause carbon monoxide to build up and create fire hazards. Clean stoves as well as flue pipes and chimneys are more efficient.

Emptying the ashes is the most common task to do when cleaning your wood stove. This should be done on a cool day when the stove fireplace isn't hot anymore, and you should wear gloves that are protective when handling the ashes. Choose a container made of metal that is large enough to hold all of the ashes, and then dump them outside away from anything that might burn. Alternately, you can add the ashes to your compost for an organic addition to your garden.

When the ashes have been cleared of the stove, it is a good time to sweep the floor and vacuum up any residual dust. It is also a good idea to leave at least three feet between your wood burning stove sale stove, and any other combustible objects like pillows or curtains. This will stop the spread of fire and burning the objects.

A clean glass door that is placed on the interior of your stove will let you see the dancing flames and can aid you in determining when to light a fire. Be sure to have a glass cleaning solution on hand in order to get rid of any smudged or tarred areas. Newspapers dipped in ash and water can be used to cleanse the glass if it is extremely filthy. Be careful not to scratch the glass, as scratches can weaken the glass and cause it to shatter when the glass is heated.

Creosote build-up on the inside of your flue is the primary cause of chimney fires. Creosote can be extremely flammable, which is why a layer of even one millimeter can trigger a chimney fire. Clean the flue frequently, especially when burning soft or pine woods create more creosote.

Burn only seasoned, dry wood that is split in half or smaller. Never burn artificial garbage, logs, or other items inside your wood stove.

Safety

Wood stove burning can produce very toxic gases, including carbon monoxide and particulates. These toxins can enter the home, and can have negative effects on the health of young people, older adults, or those with respiratory ailments like COPD or asthma. Exposure to wood smoke over time can also cause heart disease and lead to lung damage.

To reduce the risk of these issues to avoid these risks, it is vital to adhere to the correct wood stove burning procedures. These include ensuring that the stove is working correctly and is able to produce enough heat to the size of the room and design. Additionally only dry, well-seasoned hardwoods should be burned in the stove. The moisture content should be below 20%. If the moisture content is higher, it will burn more quickly and create a smokier fire with more creosote build-up on the chimney vent pipe's walls.

Another important safety issue is to ensure that the stove is operating at a high draw by observing the amount of air that flows into the firebox and through the chimney. Modern stoves come with several options to adjust the air flow and the owner's guide has documented procedures. Properly operating the air controls will ensure the highest efficiency in heating.

Finally, the chimney and flue pipes must be free of combustible materials, including drapes, paper, or carpets. 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 when the fire is burning or when the ashes are being removed. Children are naturally curious and they can touch hot surfaces of the wood stove or put their hands on the fire. Install a child-proof fence around the fireplace or use a fireplace screen. In addition, it is essential to check the fireplace regularly and wood stove for signs of wear and tear.

It is also crucial to ensure that your stove and chimney are professionally inspected at least once a year to look for creosote buildup, wood stove burning bird nests and other issues that may affect the safety of your stove. This will help prevent fires and health hazards as well as reducing the need for carbon monoxide remediation services.

Maintenance

Wood stoves are a great way to reduce your heating costs, but they do require a little more maintenance. If you do not perform the necessary maintenance, your wood stove can cause a fire that is dangerous to escape from the chimney or flue or even start a housefire. In addition to sweeping the chimney and cleaning the stove, you need to clean and sweep the stove's surfaces and flue. You should also keep an extinguisher on hand and test it regularly. It is also an excellent idea to place smoke detectors throughout the home, especially one in the room that houses the stove.

As a general rule it is recommended to clean your chimney and stove at least once a year. The schedule of cleaning should be altered in accordance with how frequently the stove is used. It may be necessary to clean it more frequently in winter. It is also important to make sure to use only dry and seasoned wood to burn in the stove. It is advised to avoid using lots of kerosene or oil when beginning the fire, because these fuels have different burning patterns and create toxic gases that can be dangerous to your health.

During your regular cleaning, you should inspect the gaskets of your doors. They are typically made of braided rope-like material that can become degraded with repeated closing and opening. If you find that the gasket is loose and needs to be fixed, purchase an alternative gasket made of fiberglass and adhesive. The hinges of these doors need to be inspected as well.

It is essential to check chimneys and flues to make sure that they are clear of obstructions and creosote. During this inspection, you should look for cracks in the chimney liner and any other indications of damage. Stovepipes must be examined too and any dents or gaps must be fixed.

It is crucial to clean the glass door of your wood stove. You can do this by mixing water and ammonia. A sponge or rag must be saturated with the solution and wiped across the surface of the glass until it is completely clean. For more difficult stains, you can leave the solution on for a few minutes prior to wiping again.