What Is Wood Stove Burning And Why Are We Speakin About It

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 pollution. Undark discovered that some of the latest stoves may not be up to EPA standards.

In an era of high energy costs, many cities are seeking to reduce wood combustion, especially in areas in which air quality is poor. Here are 10 strategies to improve indoor air quality, and get more heat powered wood stove fan out of each log.

Efficiency

Wood stoves are among the most energy-efficient ways to heat your home. Modern EPA certified wood stoves burn up logs quickly and produce less creosote compared to older models. This allows you to use a greater percentage of the potential energy generated by your fireplace in a shorter time and reduce your heating bills by as much as 30 percent. If you use only seasoned hardwood, the efficiency of wood stoves will increase over the life of the stove.

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

The higher efficiencies of wood stoves are achieved by controlling the fuel, air and combustion process. Wood stoves that have controlled airflow can slow the speed at which the fire moves through wood, allowing the gases produced to remain hot and fully burn.

Modern wood stoves are able to reuse the byproducts of incomplete combustion to create a new fire which burns more efficiently. This process, known as reburn, can boost the efficiency of wood stoves by as much as 10%.

Wood is also carbon-neutral and carbon neutral, which is an additional benefit. When trees develop they absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen when they are burned. Wood is also an eco-friendly resource, particularly when it comes 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 make use of wood stoves. A dirty stove and flue pipe could be a fire hazard and cause carbon monoxide poisoning. Clean chimneys, stoves and flue pipes are more efficient.

The most common task associated with cleaning your wood stove is emptying the ashes. Wear protective gloves and Www.simpsonorg.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=www.fireplacesandstove.com wait until the stove is cool down. Choose a container made of metal that is that is large enough to hold all the ashes, and then dump them in a safe place away from anything that could be able to ignite. Alternatively, you can add the ashes to your compost pile for an excellent addition to your garden.

While the ashes are out of the stove, it is a good time to sweep the floor and sweep up any residual dust. It is also a good idea to keep at least three feet between your wood stove, and any other combustible objects such as pillows or curtains. This will stop the spread of fire and burning the objects.

Regarding the interior of your stove, a clean glass door allows you to take a look of the flames dancing and will help you determine when it's time to begin the fire again. Make sure to have a glass cleaner available to clean any smudged or tarred areas. Newspapers dipped in water and ash can be used to wash the glass if it's extremely filthy. Be careful not to scratch the glass since scratches can weaken glass and cause it to shatter when it is heated.

Creosote buildup on the inside of your flue is a major cause of chimney fires. Creosote is extremely flammable, which is why an accumulation of just one millimeter can trigger a chimney fire. Clean the flue regularly, especially in the event that burning pine or soft woods produces more creosote.

To avoid creosote vapors entering your home, you should only burn dry and seasoned wood that has been split in half or smaller. Also, never burn artificial wood or trash in your wood stove.

Safety

Wood stoves can release toxic gasses like carbon monoxide and particulates. These harmful gases can be absorbed into the home, and can have negative health effects on children, older adults, or those with respiratory diseases such as COPD or asthma. Over time, electric wood stove smoke exposure can cause heart disease and lung damage.

It is important to follow the correct burning techniques for wood stoves in order avoid these risks. This includes ensuring that the electric stove heaters stove fireplace - look here - is functioning correctly and has sufficient heat output to the size of the room and design. In addition, only dry, well-seasoned woods should be used in the stove. The moisture content should be below 20 percent. If the moisture content of the firewood is higher, the fire will burn more quickly and produce a smoky fire with more creosote buildup on the chimney vent pipe's wall.

A strong draw is an important safety feature. This can be accomplished by observing 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 regulate air flow in the majority of modern stoves. The best efficiency of heating can be achieved when the air controls are operated correctly.

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

Keep children away from wood stoves when the flame is burning or when the ashes are being removed. Children are naturally curious and they may touch the hot surfaces on the stove or place their hands in the flame. It is recommended to install a childproof gate around the fireplace, or employ a fireplace screen. It is also important to inspect the fireplace and wood stove often for signs of wear.

Lastly, it is important to ensure that your chimney and stove are regularly inspected for creosote accumulation and bird nests, as well as other issues that can impact the safety of your chimney and electric stove fires. This will help avoid fires and health hazards as well as reducing the need for smoke or carbon monoxide remediation.

Maintenance

Although wood stoves are an excellent way to save money on heating bills however, they require additional maintenance. If you don't do the necessary maintenance on your wood burning stove small stove, it can result in a fire that escapes the flue, a risky chimney fire, or even an unintentional house fire. It is important to clean the surfaces of the stove and flue. You should also keep an extinguisher in your house and test it often. Smoke detectors are also a great idea throughout the house, but particularly in the area where the stove is located.

In general cleaning your stove and chimney at least once per year. The schedule of cleaning should be altered according to how often the stove is used. It might be necessary to clean it more frequently in winter. Make sure to use only dry and seasoned wood to use in the stove. It is advised to avoid using a lot of kerosene or oil when starting the fire, since these fuels have different burning patterns and generate toxic gases that can be extremely harmful to your health.

You should inspect the gaskets on your door at the time of your regular cleaning. They are typically made from a braided material which can be damaged over time. If you find that the gasket is not tight and you need to replace it, buy a gasket made of fiberglass and some cement to fix it. Also, the hinges on these doors must be checked as well.

It is crucial to examine flues and chimneys to ensure that they are clear of creosote and obstructions. During this inspection, you should look for cracks in the chimney liner as well as any other indications of damage. Stovepipes should be inspected as well and any holes or dents should be repaired.

It is crucial to clean the glass door of your wood stove. It is easy to accomplish this by mixing water and ammonia. The solution should be applied to the glass using an abrasive or sponge. You can let the solution sit for a few moments before wiping it again.