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

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

Many communities have offered financial incentives to replace old wood stoves with EPA-certified models which produce less pollution. Undark discovered that some of the more recent stoves may not meet EPA standards.

In these times of high energy prices, many cities are looking for ways to cut down on wood burning, especially in areas with poor air quality. Here are ten tips to improve indoor air quality and get more heat out of every log.

Efficiency

Wood stove burning is one of the most efficient ways to heat your home. Modern wood stoves that are EPA-certified burn logs fast and produce less smoke than older models. This lets you burn more energy into your fireplace and cut down on heating costs 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 have an efficiency of 50 percent or less. This means that smoke and carbon dioxide are released into the air, leading to losing half of the energy potential of the fire. Modern stoves boast efficiency of 85 percent or more, which is similar to the efficiencies of gas and oil furnaces.

Wood stoves can be more efficient by controlling the airflow as well as the fuel and combustion processes. Wood stoves that control airflow are able to slow down how fast the fire is moving through the wood, and permit the gases that are produced to remain hot and completely combust.

Modern wood stoves are able to recycle the byproducts of incomplete combustion to create a new fire that produces more efficient combustion. This process is referred to as reburn, and can boost the efficiency of wood stoves by as much as 10 percent.

Wood is also carbon neutral, which is another advantage. The trees absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere while growing and release oxygen when they burn. Wood is a resource that is sustainable for the environment, especially when it is sourced from local woodlands, which are managed in a manner that encourages healthy tree growth.

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 stove and pipe can pose a fire hazard, and could cause carbon monoxide poisoning. 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 is best done on a cool day, when the stove isn't as hot and you must wear gloves that are protective when handling the ashes. Choose a container made of steel that can hold all the ashes and dump it outside away from anything that may ignite. Alternatively, you can add the ashes to your compost pile for a healthy addition to your garden.

When the ashes have been cleared of the stove, it's a good time to sweep the floor and remove any residual dust. It is also a good idea to put at least three feet between your wood stove and any combustible things such as curtains or pillows. This helps to prevent the fire from getting out of control and burning these things.

A clear glass door on the interior of your stove will allow you to see the dancing flames and it can also aid you in determining when to light a new fire. Make sure you have a glass cleaner in your kitchen to clean any tarred or smudged areas. If the glass is very dirty you can make use of newspaper soaked in water and ash to clean it. Avoid scratching the glass because this could cause it to break or break when heated.

The accumulation of creosote within your chimney flue is one the main causes of chimney fires. A few millimeters of creosote can cause a fire in a chimney. Clean the flue regularly especially if burning soft or pine woods produce more creosote.

Burn only dry, seasoned wood that is split in half or smaller. Also, do not burn fake logs or trash in your wood stove.

Safety

Wood stoves can emit toxic gases such as carbon monoxide or 913875 particulates. These toxins can enter your home and may have negative health effects for young people, older adults or people suffering from respiratory ailments like asthma or COPD. Over time, wood smoke exposure can cause lung damage and heart disease.

It is crucial to adhere to the proper wood stove burn practices to reduce the risk. This includes ensuring the stove is working properly and has enough power to heat the size and design of the room. Only dry, well-seasoned and dry woods are suitable for burning in the stove. The moisture content of the firewood must be less than 20%. If the moisture content is higher it will burn more quickly and create a smokier fire with more creosote build-up on the chimney vent pipe walls.

A well-drawn chimney is an additional important safety feature. This can be achieved by monitoring 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. When you operate the air controls correctly, you can ensure the highest efficiency in heating.

Additionally, the flue and chimney pipes should be kept free of material that could ignite, www.913875.Xyz such as drapes, paper, or rug. The wood stove fires are often caused by an insufficient clearance between combustibles wood-burning appliances, and combustibles.

Be sure to keep children away from wood stoves when the fire is burning or the ashes are being removed. Children are naturally curious and they may touch the hot surfaces of a wood stove or place their hands in the fire. 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 and tear.

Lastly, it is important to ensure that your chimney and stove are professionally inspected once per year for accumulation of creosote, bird nests and other issues that could affect stove and chimney safety. This will prevent fires and health hazards as well as lessen the need for smoke or CO2 remediation services.

Maintenance

Wood stoves can be a great way to reduce the cost of heating, however they need some additional maintenance. If you do not perform the necessary maintenance, your wood stove can cause a dangerous fire to escape from the chimney or flue, and even cause an explosion in your home. In addition to sweeping the chimney and cleaning the stove, you must to clean and sweep the surfaces in the stove and flue. Keep a fire extinguisher on your desk and check it frequently. Smoke detectors are an excellent idea for all rooms of the house, but especially in the area where the stove is located.

As a rule, you should clean 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 often in winter. It is also important to make sure you use only dry and well-seasoned wood to use in the stove. It is recommended to stay clear of using a lot of kerosene or oil for beginning the fire, because these fuels burn differently and produce toxic gases that could be very detrimental to your health.

You should check the gaskets on your door at the time of your regular cleaning. They are typically made from a braided material which can become degraded over time. If you find that the gasket is loosened, purchase a replacement gasket made of fiberglass as well as some gasket cement to repair it. Also, the hinges on these doors must be examined as well.

Chimneys and flues must be examined to ensure that they are free of creosote accumulation and Www.913875.xyz (www.913875.xyz) obstructions. During the inspection, check for cracks or other signs of damage in the chimney lining. Stovepipes also need to be inspected and any damage should be repaired.

If you have a glass door on your wood stove, 913875 it is essential to keep it clean. This can be accomplished easily by using a mixture of water and ammonia. A rag or sponge should be soaked in the solution, then wiped over the surface of the glass until it is clean. For more difficult staining, Www.913875.Xyz you can leave the solution in place for a few minutes before wiping it off again.