Jaqueline Berry asked 1 day ago
EPA-Certified Wood Stoves May Not Meet Your Health and Safety Standards
Many communities have provided incentives to purchase wood stoves with EPA-certified models that produce less polluting. Undark discovered that some of the more recent stoves may not be up to EPA standards.
In a time of high energy prices, a lot of cities are looking for 5829186 (http://www.5829186.Xyz) ways to cut down on the use of wood, particularly in areas where air quality is poor. Here are 10 ways to improve the indoor air quality, and get more heat out of each log.
Efficiency
Wood stoves are one of the most efficient methods to heat your home. Modern EPA-certified wood stoves burn logs quickly and generate less smoke than older models. This makes it possible to use a greater proportion of the energy of your fire in a shorter time and reduce your heating bills by as much as 30 percent. The efficiency of wood stoves also improves over the life of the stove when you use only seasoned hardwood.
Older wood stoves typically have efficiency of less than 50 percent. This means that carbon dioxide and smoke are released into the air, resulting in a loss of half the energy potential in the fire. Modern stoves boast efficiency of up to 85 percent or more, which is similar to the efficiencies of oil and gas furnaces.
Wood stoves can be improved by controlling the airflow combustion, fuel, and processes. Wood stoves with controlled airflow can slow the speed at which the fire moves through wood, allowing the gases to remain hot and fully burn.
Modern wood stoves can also recycle the byproducts of incomplete combustion to create a new fire that burns more efficiently. This process is called reburn and can increase the efficiency of a wood stove by as much as 10 percent.
Wood is also carbon-neutral, which is another advantage. When trees grow, they absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen when burned. Wood is a sustainable resource for the environment, especially when it is sourced from local woodlands managed in a way that promotes healthy tree growth.
Cleanliness
With 8.8 million households using wood stoves in the United States, cleaning and maintenance are a crucial part of keeping the home warm. A dirty flue pipe or stove can lead to carbon monoxide and fire dangers. Clean chimneys, stoves and flue pipes are also more efficient.
The most frequent 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 protective gloves when handling the ashes. Choose a container made of metal that is large enough to hold all of the ashes, then take them outside away from anything that might be able to ignite. Alternatively, you can add the ashes to your compost for an excellent addition to your garden.
Once the ashes have gone out of the stove, it is the perfect time to sweep the floor and sweep up any dust that remains. It is important to leave at least 3 feet of space between your wood stove and any combustible items like curtains, 5829186; http://www.5829186.xyz, pillows or toys. This will prevent the spread of fire and burning the items.
A clean glass door that is placed on the interior of your stove will allow you to see the flames dancing, and can help you determine when to light a fire. Make sure you have a glass cleaner on hand in order to get rid of any smudged or tarred areas. If the glass is extremely filthy, you can make use of newspaper soaked in ash and water to clean it. Avoid scratching the glass as this can 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, http://www.5829186.xyz so an accumulation of just millimeters could cause the chimney to catch fire. Clean the flue frequently especially if burning pine or soft woods produces more creosote.
To prevent creosote vapors from entering your home, only burn dry, seasoned wood that has been split in half or smaller. Never burn fake logs, trash or other items inside your wood stove.
Safety
Wood stoves can release toxic gases like carbon monoxide and particulates. These toxins can enter your home and can have negative health consequences for older adults, children or people suffering from respiratory ailments like asthma or COPD. In time exposure to wood smoke may cause heart disease and lung damage.
It is essential to adhere to the proper burning practices for wood stoves to avoid these dangers. This includes ensuring the stove is functioning correctly and has sufficient power to heat the size and design of the room. In addition, only dry, well-seasoned hardwoods are allowed to be burned in the stove. The moisture content should not exceed 20%. If the moisture content is higher it will burn more quickly and produce a more smoky fire with more creosote build-up on the chimney vent pipe walls.
Another important safety issue is ensuring that the stove is operating at a high draw by observing the amount of air flowing through the firebox and the chimney. Modern stoves come with several options to adjust the air flow, and the owner’s manual includes the procedures. The best efficiency of heating can be achieved if the control of the air flow is properly used.
Additionally, the flue and chimney pipes must be kept free of fire-prone materials, such as drapes, papers, trash or carpets. Insufficient clearance between combustibles as well as wood-burning appliances is the most common cause of fires in homes caused by wood stoves.
Be sure to keep children out of wood stoves when the fire is burning or when ashes are being removed. Kids are naturally curious and might try to touch the hot surfaces of the wood stove or even place their hands into the flame. It is recommended to set up a child-proof gate around the fireplace, or employ a fireplace screen. It is also essential to examine the wood stove and fireplace frequently for signs of wear and tear.
Lastly, it is important to have your stove and chimney professionally inspected once per year for 5829186.xyz accumulation of creosote, bird nests and other issues that can impact the safety of your chimney and stove. This will help prevent fires and health hazards, as well as reduce the necessity for CO2 or smoke remediation services.
Maintenance
While wood stoves are a great way to save the cost of heating your home however, they require additional maintenance. If you do not perform the necessary maintenance, your wood stove can cause a dangerous fire to escape the flue or chimney, and even cause a housefire. It is important to clean the stove’s surfaces and flue. Keep an extinguisher in your house and test it regularly. It is also an excellent idea to place smoke detectors in the house particularly in the room that houses the stove.
As a general rule it is recommended to clean your chimney and stove at least once per year. The schedule for cleaning should be adjusted based on the amount that the stove is used, and may require more frequently during winter. Only use dry and seasoned wood to use in the stove. Avoid using lots of oil or kerosene to start the fire. These fuels can release toxic gasses and pose a danger to your health.
When you clean your house regularly and maintenance, be sure to check the gaskets on your doors. They are typically made of rope-like braids that may become degraded with repeated opening and closing. If you notice that the gasket is loose and you need to replace it, buy a gasket made of fiberglass and some cement to fix it. The hinges of these doors must be examined as well.
Chimneys and flues need to be inspected to ensure they are free of creosote build up and obstructions. During the inspection, look for cracks in the chimney liner, as well as any other signs of damage. Stovepipes must also be inspected, and any dents should be repaired.
It is crucial to clean the glass door of your wood stove. This can be done quickly by mixing a solution of ammonia and water. A sponge or rag must be soaked in the solution and wiped across the glass’s surface until it is completely clean. For tougher stains, you can leave the solution on for a few minutes prior to wiping again.