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 which produce less polluting. But Undark found that some of these modern stoves may not meet EPA standards.

In the midst of rising energy prices, a lot of cities are looking for ways to cut down on wood burning, especially in areas with poor air quality. Here are ten things you can do to improve the quality of indoor air and get more heat out of every log.

Efficiency

Wood stoves are one of the most energy-efficient ways to heat your house. 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 also grows over the lifetime of the stove when you use only wood that is seasoned.

Older wood stoves usually have efficiency 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 air. Modern stoves boast efficiency of up to 85 percent or more, which is comparable to the efficiency of gas and oil furnaces.

Wood stoves can be improved by controlling the air, fuel, and combustion processes. Wood stoves that have controlled airflow can slow down the speed at which the flame moves through the wood, allowing gases produced to remain hot and completely burn.

Modern wood stoves can recycle the byproducts of incomplete combustion to create a new fire that burns more efficiently. This process is referred to as reburn, and can boost the efficiency of a wood stove by up to 10 percent.

Wood is also carbon-neutral, which is another advantage. As trees expand, they absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen when they are burned. Wood is a sustainable resource for the environment, particularly when it comes from local woodlands that are 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 an important part of keeping the home warm. A filthy woodburning stove or flue pipe can cause carbon monoxide and fire dangers. Clean chimneys, stoves and flue pipes are more efficient.

The most frequent task associated with cleaning your wood stove is to empty the ashes. This should be done on a cool day, when the stove is no longer hot, and you should wear protective gloves when handling the ashes. Choose a metal container that is that is large enough to hold all of the ashes, then take them outside away from anything that might burn. You can also add the ashes to your compost for an excellent addition to your garden.

After the ashes have been removed from the stove, you can sweep the floor to get rid of dust. It is also a great idea to put at least three feet between your wood stove and any combustible items such as pillows or curtains. This helps to prevent a fire from getting out of control and burning these things.

Regarding the inside of your stove, glass doors that are clean allow you to take a look of the flames dancing and can help you tell when it's time to begin the fire again. Make sure you have glass cleaner in your kitchen to get rid of any smudged or tarred areas that might be present. Newspapers dipped in ash and water can be used to wash the glass if it is extremely dirty. Avoid scratching the glass because this can cause it to shrink and break when heated.

The accumulation of creosote in your chimney flue is one the main causes of chimney fires. Creosote is extremely flammable, and an accumulation of just a few millimeters can cause the chimney to catch fire. Clean the flue frequently especially if burning soft or pine woods produces more creosote.

To ensure that creosote-free vapors do not enter your home, you should only burn dry, seasoned wood that has been split in half or smaller. Also, never 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 harmful gases can be absorbed into the home, and have negative health effects for children, older adults, and those suffering from respiratory diseases such as COPD or asthma. Exposure to wood smoke over time can cause heart disease and eventually lung damage.

It is important to follow the correct burning practices for wood stoves to reduce the risk. This includes ensuring the stove is functioning correctly and has the right heat output for the size and design of the room. Only dry, well-seasoned hard woods should be burnt in the stove. The moisture content should be less than 20 percent. If the moisture content is higher, it will burn faster and create a smokier fire with more creosote build-up on the chimney vent pipe's walls.

A good draw is another essential safety feature. This can be achieved by observing how much air is flowing into the firebox and through the chimney. The owner's manual will give detailed instructions on how to regulate air flow in the majority of modern stoves. The highest heating efficiencies can be achieved when the control of the air flow is properly used.

The chimney and flue pipe must be free of materials that could ignite, including drapes, trash or paper. Inadequate clearance between combustibles and wood-burning appliances is the most common cause of house fires caused by wood stoves.

Be sure to keep children away from wood burning stove wood burning (speaking of) stoves when the fire 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 place their hands into the flame. Install a child-proof fence around the fireplace, or install a fireplace screen. It is also essential to inspect the wood stove and fireplace frequently for signs of wear.

Lastly, it is important to have your stove and chimney regularly inspected for accumulation of creosote as well as bird nests and other issues that can impact the safety of your chimney and stove. This will reduce the risk of fires and health hazards, and also reduce the necessity for CO2 or smoke remediation services.

Maintenance

Wood stoves can be a great way to reduce 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 result in a fire which 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. It is also a good idea to put smoke detectors throughout the home, especially one in the room with the stove.

In general it is recommended to clean your stove and chimney at least once per year. The frequency of cleaning should be adjusted based on how often the stove is used, and may require more frequently in winter. Also, make sure to make sure to use only dry and seasoned wood to use in the stove. It is best to avoid using lots of kerosene or oil for starting the fire, since these fuels burn differently and can generate toxic gases that can be extremely dangerous to your health.

When you clean your house regularly, you should check the gaskets on your doors. These are often made from rope-like braids which can degrade with repeated opening and closing. If you notice that the gasket is loosened you can purchase a new fiberglass gasket and some gasket cement to repair it. Also, the hinges on these doors must be checked as well.

It is crucial to examine chimneys and flues to ensure 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 indications of damage. Stovepipes should be inspected too and any dents or gaps need to be filled.

If you have a glass door on your wood stove, it's crucial to keep it clean. You can accomplish this by mixing water with ammonia. A rag or sponge should be saturated with the solution and then wiped across the surface of the glass until it is completely clean. You can leave the solution for a few minutes before wiping it over again.