• 목록
• 답변
• 글쓰기
• 게시판 리스트 옵션
  • 수정
  • 삭제

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

Many communities have provided financial incentives to replace wood stoves with EPA-certified models that produce less polluting. However, Undark discovered that some of these modern stoves might not be up to EPA standards.

In a time of high energy prices, many cities are seeking ways to cut down on the use of wood, particularly in areas where air quality is poor. Here are 10 tips to improve indoor air quality and get more heat out of every log.

Efficiency

Wood stoves are one of the most energy-efficient ways to heat your home. Modern EPA certified wood stoves burn logs extremely quickly and produce less creosote than previous models. This makes it possible to use a greater portion of the potential energy generated by your fireplace in a shorter amount of time and lower your heating costs by up to 30 percent. If you use only wood that has been seasoned, the efficiency of wood stoves will increase over the lifetime of the stove.

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

The higher efficiencies of wood stoves are made by controlling the air, fuel and combustion process. Wood stoves with controlled airflow can slow down the speed at which the flame moves through wood, Www.913875.Xyz allowing the gases to remain hot and burn completely.

Modern wood stoves can recycle the byproducts from incomplete combustion to create a new fire which is more efficient in burning. This process is called reburn and can improve the efficiency of a wood stove by up to 10 percent.

Another advantage of using wood as a source of heat is that it is considered carbon neutral. As trees develop they absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen when burnt. Wood is also an eco-friendly resource, especially if it comes 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 important for keeping homes warm. In the United States, 8.8 million households use wood stoves. A dirty flue pipe or stove can lead to carbon monoxide and fire dangers. Clean stoves as well as flue pipes and chimneys are more efficient.

Cleaning the ashes is the most frequent task you can do when cleaning your wood stove. This should be done on a day that is cool, when the stove is no longer hot and you must wear gloves to protect yourself when handling the ashes. Choose a metal container that can accommodate all of the ashes and dump it outside, away from anything that could ignite. Alternately, you can add the ashes to your compost for an organic addition to your garden.

Once the ashes have gone out of the stove, it is an ideal time to sweep the floor and www.913875.Xyz sweep up any dust that remains. It is important to have at minimum 3 feet of space between your wood stove and any combustible materials like curtains, pillows or toys. This will prevent the spread of fire and burning the items.

As for the inside of your stove a clear glass door lets you to see of the dancing flames and can help you tell when it is time to start a new fire. Make sure you have a glass cleaner on hand to remove any tarred or smudged areas that might be present. If the glass is extremely filthy it is possible to make use of a newspaper that has been dipped in ash and water to clean it. Avoid scratching the glass because this could cause it to shrink and break when heated.

The accumulation of creosote in your chimney flue is one of the primary causes of chimney fires. A tiny amount of creosote could cause a fire to the chimney. Clean the flue regularly particularly if you are burning pine or other soft woods that generate more creosote than other kinds of wood.

To prevent creosote vapors from entering your home, only burn dry, seasoned wood that has been cut in half or smaller. Do not burn artificial logs, trash or other items in your wood stove.

Safety

Wood stoves are known to produce extremely harmful gases, including carbon monoxide and particulates. These toxins can enter the home, and can have negative effects on the health of children, Www.913875.xyz elderly adults, or those with respiratory illnesses such as COPD or asthma. As time passes exposure to wood smoke may cause heart disease and lung damage.

To prevent these risks to avoid these risks, it is vital to follow proper methods for burning wood on your stove. This includes ensuring that the stove is operating correctly and has sufficient heat output for the space and design. In addition only dry, well-seasoned woods should be burned in the stove. The moisture content should not exceed 20%. If the moisture content is higher it will burn faster and create a smokier fire, with more creosote accumulation on the chimney vent pipe's walls.

A good draw is another important safety feature. This can be achieved by observing how much air flows into the firebox and through the chimney. The owner's manual will give specific instructions on how to adjust air flow in most modern stoves. Properly operating the air controls can achieve the highest efficiency of heating.

The chimney and flue pipe must be free of fire-prone materials, like drapes, trash or paper. The fires that occur in wood stoves are often caused by an inadequate clearance between combustibles wood-burning appliances as well as combustibles.

Be sure to keep children out of wood stoves while the fire is burning or when 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 put up a child-proof barrier around the fireplace, or use a fireplace screen. It is also crucial to inspect the fireplace and wood stove often for signs of wear and tear.

It is also important to have your stove and chimney professionally examined at least every year to ensure there is no creosote buildup, bird nests and other issues that could affect the safety of your stove. This will help avoid fires, health hazards and reduce the need for carbon monoxide remediation.

Maintenance

Wood stoves are a great way to save money on heating bills but they also require additional maintenance. If you do not perform the required maintenance, your wood stove can cause a dangerous fire to escape from the chimney or flue or even start a housefire. In addition to sweeping the chimney and cleaning the stove, it is essential to clean and sweep the surfaces in the stove and flue. Keep a fire extinguisher in your desk and check it frequently. Smoke detectors are also a great idea throughout the house, but particularly in the room where the stove is.

As a rule you should clean the stove and chimney at least once per year. The cleaning schedule is dependent on how often the stove is used, and 913875.xyz may be required to be done more frequently in winter. Make sure to use only dry and seasoned wood to burn in the stove. Avoid using a lot oil or kerosene for starting the fire. These fuels could release toxic gases and be harmful to your health.

In the course of your regular cleaning it is important to examine the gaskets on your doors. They are typically made from a braided material which can degrade over time. If you notice the gasket is leaking and needs to be fixed, purchase a new gasket made of fiberglass and adhesive. The hinges of these doors must be inspected as well.

It is essential to check flues and chimneys to ensure that they are clear of obstructions and creosote. During the inspection, look for Www.913875.xyz cracks or other signs of damage to the chimney lining. Stovepipes should also be examined, and any dents should be repaired.

If you have a glass door for your wood stove, it is essential to keep it clean. You can easily accomplish this by mixing water and ammonia. The solution is then applied to the glass with either a sponge or rag. You can let the solution sit for a couple of minutes before wiping it off again.