7 Things You ve Never Known About Wood Stove Burning

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 emit less pollutant. However, Undark found that some of these more modern stoves may not meet EPA standards.

In the current climate of high energy costs, cities are looking to reduce wood combustion, particularly in areas where air quality is low. Here are 10 ways you can improve the quality of indoor air and get more heat from each log.

Efficiency

Wood stoves are among the most energy efficient methods to heat your home. Modern EPA certified wood stoves burn up logs quickly and produce less creosote than older models. This makes it possible to burn a higher percentage of the potential energy generated by your fireplace in a shorter period of time and lower your heating costs by up to 30 percent. If you only use seasoned hardwood, the efficiency of wood stoves will increase throughout the life of the stove.

Older wood stoves usually have efficiencies of less than 50 percent. This means that half of the potential energy generated by the fire is lost because carbon monoxide and smoke are released into the air. Modern stoves can have an efficiency of up to 85% or more. This is comparable to oil and gas furnaces.

Wood stoves can be improved by controlling the airflow as well as the fuel and combustion processes. Wood stoves with controlled airflow can slow the speed at which the flame moves through wood, allowing gases to stay hot and fully burn.

Modern wood stoves are able to recycle the byproducts of incomplete combustion to create a new flame that produces more efficient combustion. This process is referred to as reburn and can increase the efficiency of wood stoves by up to 10 percent.

Wood is also carbon neutral, which is another advantage. The trees absorb carbon dioxide from the air as they are growing and release oxygen when they burn. Wood is also an eco-friendly resource, particularly when it comes from woodlands in the local area that are managed in a manner that encourages the growth of healthy trees.

Cleanliness

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

The removal of ashes is the most common task you can do when cleaning your wood stove. Wear protective gloves and wait until the stove is cool down. Select a container made of metal that will hold all of the ashes, and then dump it outside, away from anything that could ignite. Alternately, you can add the ashes to your compost pile for an organic addition to your garden.

While the ashes are out of the stove, it is a good time to sweep the floor and remove any residual dust. It is important 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 spreading and burning the objects.

A clear glass door on the inside of your stove will let you see the dancing flames and it will also assist you in determining the best time to light a new fire. Ensure that you have glass cleaner available to clean any smudged or tarred areas that might be present. Newspaper dipped into ash and water can be used to wash the glass if it's extremely dirty. Avoid scratching the glass since this could cause it to break or break when heated.

The accumulation of creosote in your chimney flue is among the main causes of chimney fires. Creosote is highly flammable, which is why an accumulation of just millimeters could cause an explosion in your chimney. Clean the flue often especially when burning soft or pine woods produce more creosote.

Burn only dry, seasoned wood that has been cut in half or smaller. Also, never burn artificial logs or trash in your wood stove.

Safety

Wood stoves can release toxic gases such as carbon monoxide or particulates. These toxins can enter your home and can have negative health consequences for children, elderly adults or those suffering from respiratory issues like asthma or COPD. The exposure to wood smoke in the long run can lead to heart disease and eventually lung damage.

To avoid these risks to avoid these risks, it is vital to adhere to the correct methods for burning wood on your stove. This includes making sure that the stove is functioning correctly and has sufficient heat output to the size of the room and design. Additionally only dry, well-seasoned hardwoods are allowed to be burned in the stove. The moisture content of the firewood should not exceed 20 percent. If the moisture content is higher it will burn faster and produce a more smoky fire that has more creosote building up on the chimney vent pipe walls.

A strong draw is an essential safety feature. This can be achieved by observing how much air is flowing into the firebox and through the chimney. The owner's guide will provide specific instructions on how to alter the flow of air in most modern stoves. Correctly operating the air controls will ensure the highest heating efficiency.

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

Be sure to keep children out of wood stoves when the flame is burning or when the ashes are being removed. Kids are naturally curious and may try to touch the hot surfaces of a wood stove or put their hands in the fire. Install a childproof fence around the fireplace, or use a fireplace screen. It is also important to examine the fireplace and wood stove often for signs of wear.

It is also important to ensure that your stove and chimney are professionally checked at least once a year to ensure there is no creosote buildup, bird nests and other issues that may affect the safety of your stove. This will help avoid fires and health hazards as well as reducing the necessity for carbon monoxide remediation.

Maintenance

While wood stoves are a great way to save money on heating bills, they do require some additional maintenance. If you do not do the necessary maintenance on your wood stove, it can result in a fire which escapes the flue, a risky chimney fire, or even a house fire. It is also recommended to clean the surfaces of the stove and www.913875.xyz (https://www.913875.xyz/6oic2-4reikmz-52pon-r7pa2-9g67o80-529) flue. Keep a fire extinguisher handy and 913875 test it often. It's also recommended to install smoke detectors around the house, 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 for cleaning is dependent on the amount that the stove is used, and it may be required to be done more frequently in winter. Only use dry and www.913875.xyz, www.913875.xyz, seasoned wood to burn in the stove. Avoid using a lot of oil or kerosene to start the fire. These fuels could release toxic gases and be harmful to your health.

It is recommended to check the gaskets in your door at the time of your regular cleaning. They are typically made from a braided material which can degrade over time. If you find that the gasket is loose and you need to replace it, buy a gasket made of fiberglass as well as some gasket cement to repair it. Likewise, the hinges on these doors should be examined as well.

It is essential to check chimneys and flues to make sure that they are free of obstructions and creosote. During this inspection, you should look for cracks in the chimney liner as well as any other signs of damage. Stovepipes need to be checked too and any holes or dents should be repaired.

It is important to clean the glass door of your wood stove. It is easy to accomplish 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 clean. For 913875 more difficult staining, you can leave the solution on for a couple of minutes before wiping the glass again.