Company Logo

• 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 old wood stoves with EPA certified models that produce less pollutant. But Undark found that some of these more modern stoves might not be up to EPA standards.

In a time of high energy costs, cities are looking for ways to cut down on the use of wood, particularly in areas where air quality is poor. Here are ten things you can do to improve indoor air quality and get more heat from every log.

Efficiency

Wood stove burning is one of the most efficient ways to heat your home. Modern EPA certified wood stoves burn up logs quickly and produce less creosote compared to older models. This lets you use more energy in your fire and reduce your heating costs by up to 30%. If you only use wood that has been seasoned, the efficiency of wood stoves will increase throughout the life of the stove.

Older wood stoves have an efficiency of 50 percent or lower. This means that half the potential energy in the fire is lost as carbon monoxide and smoke are released into the atmosphere. Modern stoves can have an efficiency of 85% or more. This is comparable 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 fire moves through the wood, allowing gases produced to remain hot and burn completely.

Modern wood stoves can also recycle the byproducts from incomplete combustion to create a new fire which burns more efficiently. This process, called reburn, can increase the efficiency of wood stoves by as much as 10 percent.

Wood is also carbon-neutral, which is another advantage. As trees expand, they absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen when they are burnt. Wood is also an eco-friendly resource, particularly if it is obtained from woodlands in the local area that are managed in a way that encourages the growth of healthy trees.

Cleanliness

With 8.8 million households that use wood stoves in the United States, cleaning and maintenance are a crucial element of keeping your home warm. A filthy stove or flue pipe can lead to carbon monoxide and fire hazards. Clean stoves chimneys, flue pipes and stoves are more efficient.

The most common task associated with cleaning your wood stove is to empty the ashes. Wear protective gloves and wait until the stove is cool down. Choose a metal container that can accommodate all of the ashes, and then dump it outside, away from anything that may ignite. You can also add the ashes to your compost for an organic addition to your garden.

After the ashes have been removed from the stove, sweep the floor to get rid of any dust. It is important to keep at least 3 feet of space between your wood stove and any other combustible objects like curtains, pillows or toys. This will prevent a fire from spreading and burning the items.

As for the inside of your stove glass doors that are clean allow you to take a look of the flames dancing and help you know when it's time to light a new fire. Be sure to have a glass cleaner on hand in order to remove any smudged or tarred areas. Newspaper dipped in ash and water can be used to cleanse the glass if it's extremely filthy. Avoid scratching the glass since this could cause it to weaken and break when heated.

Creosote accumulation on the inside of your flue is a major cause of chimney fires. A few millimeters of creosote may cause a fire in a chimney. Clean the flue often, especially if burning pine or soft woods create more creosote.

Burn only dry, seasoned wood that has been split in half or smaller. Also, don't burn artificial garbage or logs in your wood stove.

Safety

Wood stoves are known to produce extremely harmful gases, including carbon monoxide and particulates. These toxins can enter your home and can have negative health consequences for older adults, children or those suffering from respiratory issues such as asthma or COPD. Smoke from wood over time can cause heart disease and lead to lung damage.

To reduce the risk of these issues to avoid these risks, it is vital to follow proper wood stove burning practices. These include ensuring that the stove is working properly and that it is able to produce enough heat for the room size 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 it will burn more quickly and produce smoke that is smoky and has more creosote buildup on the chimney vent pipe's wall.

A strong draw is an important safety feature. This can be achieved by monitoring the amount of air that is circulating through the firebox as well as through the chimney. The majority of modern stoves offer various ways to regulate the flow of air and the owner's manual has documented the procedures. The highest heating efficiencies can be achieved when control of the air flow is properly used.

The chimney and 913875.xyz (www.913875.xyz) flue pipe must be free of all fire-prone materials, 913875.xyz 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.

It is also essential to keep children out of wood stoves when the fire is in progress or when ashes are being removed. Children are naturally curious, and might try to touch the hot surfaces of the wood stove or even put their hands in the fire. It is recommended to set up a childproof gate around the fireplace or to use the fireplace screen. Additionally, it is important to regularly check the fireplace and wood stove for signs of wear.

Finally, it is essential to have your stove and chimney regularly inspected for the accumulation of creosote as well as bird nests and other issues that could affect the safety of your chimney and stove. This will help prevent fires, health hazards and reduce the necessity for carbon monoxide remediation.

Maintenance

Wood stoves are a great way to reduce your heating expenses, but they do require a little more maintenance. If you do not perform the required maintenance on your wood stove, it could cause a dangerous fire to escape the flue or chimney, and even cause an explosion in your home. In addition to sweeping the chimney and cleaning the stove, you need to sweep and clean the stove's surfaces and flue. Keep a fire extinguisher on the counter and test it frequently. Smoke detectors are also an excellent idea for all rooms of the house, but particularly in the room where the stove is.

As a rule cleaning your chimney and 913875 stove at least once per year. Cleaning schedules need to be adjusted according to how often the stove is used. It is possible to clean it more often in winter. Use only dry and seasoned wood to use in the stove. Avoid using a lot oil or kerosene for starting the fire. These fuels can release toxic gases and can be harmful to your health.

In the course of your regular cleaning it is important to inspect the gaskets of your doors. They are typically made of braided rope-like material that can degrade with 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. The hinges of these doors need to also be checked.

Chimneys and flues need to be inspected to ensure that they are free of creosote accumulation and obstructions. During the inspection, look for cracks, and other indications of damage to the chimney lining. Stovepipes must be examined too, and any dents or gaps must be fixed.

If you have a glass door for your wood stove, it is important to keep this clean. You can do this by mixing water and ammonia. A sponge or rag must be soaked with the solution and then wiped across the glass's surface until it is clean. You can leave the solution for a few moments before wiping it off again.