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 pollutant. But Undark discovered that some of these newer stoves might not be up to EPA standards.

In these times of high energy prices, a lot of cities are seeking ways to reduce wood burning, especially in areas that have poor air quality. Here are 10 tips to improve the quality of your indoor air and gain more heat out of every log.

Efficiency

Wood stoves are one of the most efficient ways to heat your home. Modern EPA certified wood stoves burn logs extremely quickly and produce less creosote than older models. This allows you to make use of a larger portion of the potential energy of your fire in a shorter time and reduce your heating bills by up to 30 percent. The efficiency of wood stoves grows over the lifetime of the stove when you only use seasoned hardwood.

Older wood stoves typically have efficiencies of 50 percent or less. This means that half the energy potential in the fire is lost as smoke and carbon monoxide are released into the atmosphere. Modern stoves can boast an efficiency of up to 85% or more. This is comparable to oil and gas furnaces.

Wood stoves can be more efficient by controlling the air combustion, fuel, and processes. Wood stoves that control the airflow can slow down the speed at which flame moves through the wood and permit the gases produced to stay hot and combust completely.

Modern wood stoves can also reuse the byproducts of incomplete combustion to create a new fire that produces more efficient combustion. This process, called Reburn, can improve the efficiency of wood stoves up to 10%.

Wood is also carbon-neutral which is a further benefit. As trees develop they absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen when burnt. Wood is also an environmentally sustainable resource, particularly when it is obtained from local woodlands that are managed in a manner that encourages the growth of healthy trees.

Cleanliness

Cleaning and maintenance of wood stoves is crucial to keeping homes warm. In the United States, 8.8 million households utilize wood stoves. A dirty stove and pipe can pose an ignition source and can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning. Clean stoves chimneys, flue pipes and stoves are more efficient.

The removal of ashes is the most common task you can do when cleaning your wood stove. Wear gloves that are protective and wait until the stove is cool down. Choose a metal container that is big enough to hold all the ashes, then take them outside away from anything that might burn. You can also put the ashes into your compost to make an excellent addition to your garden.

After the ashes have been removed from the stove, you can sweep the floor to eliminate any dust. It is also a good idea to leave at minimum 3 feet of space between your wood stove and any combustible materials like curtains, pillows or toys. This prevents a fire from getting out of control and burning these items.

For the inside of your stove a clean glass door allows you to enjoy a view of the flames dancing and can help you tell when it's time to begin a new fire. Make sure that you have a glass cleaner on hand to remove any tarred or smudged areas that might be present. Newspaper dipped in water and ash can be used to clean the glass if it is extremely dirty. Be careful not to scratch the glass, as scratches can weaken the glass and cause it to shatter when it is heated.

Creosote build-up on the inside of your flue is a major cause of chimney fires. A tiny amount of creosote could cause a fire to the chimney. Clean the flue often particularly in the event that burning soft or pine woods produce more creosote.

To ensure that creosote-free vapors do not enter your home, you should only burn dry, seasoned wood that has been cut in half or smaller. Also, don't burn artificial logs 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 make their way into the home, and can have negative effects on the health of children, older adults, or people suffering from respiratory illnesses such as COPD or asthma. As time passes exposure to wood smoke can cause lung damage and heart disease.

To reduce the risk of these issues It is crucial to adhere to the correct methods for burning wood on your stove. These include ensuring that the stove is working correctly and has enough heat output to the size of the room and design. Only dry, well-seasoned hard woods should be burnt in the stove. The moisture content should be below 20 percent. If the moisture content is higher it will burn faster 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 achieved by monitoring how much air flows into the firebox as well as through the chimney. The owner's guide will provide specific instructions on how you can adjust air flow in most modern stoves. Correctly operating the air controls can achieve the highest efficiency of heating.

The flue pipe and chimney should be free of fire-prone materials, like drapes, paper or trash. Insufficient clearance between combustibles as well as wood-burning appliances is the most common cause of fires in homes caused by wood stoves.

It is also essential to keep children away from wood stoves when the fire is burning or while ashes are being removed. Children are naturally curious, and may want to touch the hot surfaces of a wood stove or place their hands into the fire. It is recommended to set up a child-proof barrier around the fireplace, or employ the fireplace screen. It is also essential to check the fireplace and stove frequently for signs of wear and tear.

It is also important to have your stove and chimney professionally examined 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 prevent fires, health hazards and reduce the need for smoke or carbon monoxide remediation services.

Maintenance

Wood stoves can be an effective way to lower your heating costs, but they do require a little more maintenance. If you don't perform the necessary maintenance on your wood stove, it could cause a fire that escapes the flue, which could lead to a chimney fire, or even an unintentional house fire. You should also clean the stove's surfaces and flue. Keep a fire extinguisher at hand and test it regularly. Smoke detectors are also an excellent idea for all rooms of the home, but they are especially useful in the area where the stove is.

As a general rule it is recommended to clean your chimney and stove at least once a year. The frequency of cleaning can be altered based on the amount that the stove is used, and it may be required to be done more frequently in winter. Use only dry and seasoned wood for burning in the stove. It is recommended to avoid using a lot of kerosene or oil when starting the fire, as these fuels have different burning patterns and generate toxic gases that can be harmful to your health.

When you clean your house regularly it is important to examine the gaskets on your doors. They are typically made of rope-like braids that may be damaged by repeated closing and opening. If you notice that the gasket is loose and you need to replace it, buy a fiberglass gasket and some gasket cement to repair it. Likewise, the hinges on these doors must be examined as well.

It is crucial to examine chimneys and flues to make sure that they are clear of creosote and obstructions. During the inspection, look for cracks in the chimney liner and any other indications of damage. Stovepipes also need to be inspected and any damage should be fixed.

It is crucial to clean the glass door fireplace and stove of your wood stove. This can be accomplished easily by using a mixture of water and ammonia. A sponge or rag must be saturated with the solution and then wiped across the glass's surface until it is completely clean. For more difficult staining, leave the solution in place for a couple of minutes before wiping the glass again.