Why All The Fuss About Wood Stove Burning

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

Many communities have offered financial incentives to replace old wood stoves with EPA certified models that produce less pollutants. Undark discovered that some of the more recent stoves might not meet EPA standards.

In these times of high energy prices, many cities are seeking ways to reduce wood burning, especially in areas where air quality is poor. Here are 10 tips to improve the quality of indoor air and get more heat from each log.

Efficiency

Wood stoves are one of the most efficient ways to heat your house. Modern EPA certified wood stoves burn logs very quickly and produce less creosote compared to older models. This lets you burn more of the energy in your fire and reduce your heating expenses by as much as 30%. The efficiency of wood stoves also improves over the life of the stove if you use only wood that is seasoned.

Older wood stoves are efficient at 50 percent or lower. This means that half the potential energy in the fire is lost because smoke and carbon monoxide are released into the atmosphere. Modern stoves can boast an efficiency of up to 85% or more. This is similar to oil and gas furnaces.

The higher efficiencies of wood stoves can be achieved by controlling the air, 5829186 fuel, and combustion process. Wood stoves that regulate the airflow are able to slow down how fast the fire is moving through the wood and allow the gases produced to remain hot and combust completely.

Modern wood stoves can also recycle the byproducts from incomplete combustion to create a new fire that produces more efficient combustion. This process, referred to as reburn, can boost the efficiency of wood stoves up to 10 percent.

Wood is also carbon neutral and carbon neutral, which is an additional benefit. As trees develop, they absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen when burned. Wood is also an eco-friendly resource, particularly when it is obtained from woodlands in the local area that are managed in a way that encourages the growth of healthy trees.

Cleanliness

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

The most common task associated with cleaning your wood stove is emptying the ashes. This should be done on a cool day when the stove is no longer hot and you must wear gloves to protect yourself when handling the ashes. Choose a metal container that is big enough to accommodate all the ashes, and then dump them outside away from anything that could burn. Alternately, you can add the ashes to your compost pile for an excellent addition to your garden.

When the ashes have been cleared of the stove, it is the perfect time to sweep the floor and vacuum up any dust that remains. It is also a good idea to leave at least 3 feet of space between your wood stove and any combustible items such as curtains, pillows or toys. This will stop the fire from getting out of control and burning these items.

Regarding the inside of your stove a clean glass door allows you to enjoy a view of the dancing flames and can help you tell when it's time to light an all-new fire. Make sure that you have a glass cleaner on hand to get rid of any tarred or smudged areas that may be present. Newspaper dipped into ash and water can be used to cleanse the glass if it's extremely filthy. Be careful not to scratch the glass, as scratches can weaken the glass and 5829186 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. A tiny amount of creosote could cause a fire in the chimney. Clean the flue often particularly if burning pine or soft woods create more creosote.

Burn only seasoned, dry wood that has been split in half or smaller. Also, do not burn fake logs or trash in your wood stove.

Safety

Wood stoves emit harmful gases like carbon monoxide or particulates. These harmful gases can be found in the home and could have adverse health effects on older adults, children or people suffering from respiratory ailments like asthma or COPD. In time exposure to wood smoke can cause heart disease and lung damage.

To avoid these risks It is crucial to follow proper wood stove burning practices. These include ensuring that the stove is operating properly and that it has sufficient heat output to the size of the room and design. In addition, only dry, well-seasoned hardwoods are allowed to be used in the stove. The moisture content of the wood should not exceed 20 percent. If the moisture content of the wood is higher, the fire will burn more quickly and produce smoke that is smoky and has more creosote buildup on the chimney vent pipe's wall.

A strong draw is an important safety feature. This can be accomplished by monitoring the amount of air that is flowing into the firebox and through the chimney. The owner's manual will give detailed instructions on how to alter the flow of air in most modern stoves. The highest efficiency in heating can be achieved when air controls are operated correctly.

The chimney and flue pipe must be free of combustible material, such as drapes, paper or trash. Inadequate clearance between combustibles and wood-burning appliances is the most common reason for house fires caused by wood stoves.

It is also important to keep children out of wood stoves while the flame is burning or when the ashes are being removed. Children are naturally curious and may try to touch the hot surfaces of a wood stove, 5829186.xyz or put their hands into the flame. It is recommended to install a childproof gate around the fireplace or to employ the fireplace screen. Additionally, it is important to check the fireplace regularly and wood stove for signs of wear.

It is also important to ensure that your stove and chimney are professionally inspected at least every year to look for creosote buildup, bird nests and other problems which can affect the safety of your stove. This will help prevent fires and health hazards, and will also lessen the necessity for CO2 or smoke remediation services.

Maintenance

Wood stoves are a great way to save money on heating bills, they do require some additional maintenance. If you don't take care of the required maintenance on your wood stove, it could cause a dangerous fire to escape from the chimney or flue or even start an explosion in your home. In addition to sweeping the chimney and Www.5829186.Xyz cleaning the stove, you must to sweep and clean the surfaces in the stove and flue. Keep a fire extinguisher in the counter and test it frequently. Smoke detectors are also an excellent idea for all rooms of the house, but especially in the area where the stove is located.

In general you should clean the stove and chimney at least once per year. The frequency of cleaning should be adjusted based on the amount that the stove is used, and it may need to be done more frequently in winter. Use only dry and seasoned wood to burn in the stove. Avoid using a lot oil or kerosene to ignite the fire. These fuels could release toxic gasses and pose a danger to your health.

It is recommended to check the gaskets in your door at the time of your regular cleaning. They are typically made of braided rope-like material that can be damaged by repeated opening and closing. If you notice that the gasket is leaking and needs to be replaced, purchase an alternative gasket made of fiberglass and adhesive. Also, the hinges on these doors should be inspected as well.

It is essential to check chimneys and flues to make sure that they are clear of obstructions and 5829186.Xyz creosote. During this inspection, you should look for cracks in the chimney liner and any other signs of damage. Stovepipes should also be examined and any damage should be repaired.

It is important to clean the glass door of your wood stove. This can be accomplished easily by using a mixture of water and ammonia. The solution should be applied to the glass using either a sponge or rag. For tougher staining, you can leave the solution in place for a couple of minutes before wiping again.