Five Wood Stove Burning Projects For Any Budget

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

Many communities have offered financial incentives for replacing old wood stoves with EPA certified models that emit less pollutants. Undark discovered that some of the newer stoves might not meet EPA standards.

In the current climate of high energy costs, a lot of cities are seeking to reduce the use of wood, especially in areas where air quality is poor. Here are 10 ways to improve the indoor air quality and get more heat out of each log.

Efficiency

Wood stoves are one of the most energy-efficient ways to heat your home. Modern EPA certified wood stoves burn logs very quickly and produce less creosote than older models. This allows you to make use of a larger portion of the potential energy generated by your fireplace in a shorter amount of time and reduce your heating bills by as much as 30 percent. The efficiency of wood stoves also increases over the lifetime of the stove if you use only wood that is seasoned.

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

Wood stoves can be improved by controlling airflow as well as the fuel and combustion processes. Wood stoves that control the airflow are able to slow down how fast the flame moves through the wood and permit the gas that is produced to remain hot and completely combust.

Additionally modern wood stoves can recycle the byproducts of incomplete combustion into a fresh fire that burns more efficiently. This process, called reburn, can increase the efficiency of small wood burning stove stoves by up to 10%.

Wood is also carbon-neutral and carbon neutral, which is an additional benefit. The trees absorb carbon dioxide from the air while growing and release oxygen when they burn. Wood is also an environmentally sustainable resource, particularly when it is obtained from woodlands in the local area that are managed in a manner 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 stove or flue pipe can lead to carbon monoxide and fire hazards. Clean stoves chimneys, flue pipes and stoves are more efficient.

Cleaning the ashes is the most frequent task to do when cleaning your wood stove. Wear gloves that are protective and wait until the stove is cool down. Choose a container made of metal that is large enough to hold all of the ashes, then take them outdoors away from anything that might cause a fire. You can also add the ashes to your compost pile 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 vacuum up any dust that remains. It is also a good idea to keep at three feet of space between your wood stove and any other combustible objects such as curtains, pillows or toys. This will stop a fire from spreading and burning the items.

A clean glass door that is placed on the interior of your stove will allow you to see the dancing flames and can help you determine when to start a fresh fire. Be sure to have a glass cleaner on hand in order to clean any smudged or tarred areas. Newspaper dipped into ash and water can be used to clean the glass if it's extremely filthy. Be careful not to scratch the glass because scratches can weaken the glass and shatter when it is heated.

The accumulation of creosote in your chimney flue is among the main causes of chimney fires. Creosote can be extremely flammable, and any layer of even millimeters could cause a chimney fire. Clean the flue often especially in the event that burning pine or soft woods produces more creosote.

To ensure that creosote-free vapors do not enter your home, you should only burn dry and seasoned wood that has been split in half or smaller. Do not burn artificial trash, logs or other items in your wood stove.

Safety

Wood stove burning can produce very toxic gases, including carbon monoxide and particulates. These toxins enter the home and could have adverse health effects on young people, older adults or those suffering from respiratory issues like asthma or COPD. 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 wood stove burning practices. This includes making sure the stove is functioning correctly and has the right heat output for the size and shape of the room. In addition only dry, well-seasoned hardwoods are allowed to be burned in the stove. The moisture content should not exceed 20%. If the moisture content of the firewood is higher the fire will burn faster and produce a smoky fire with more creosote forming on the chimney vent pipe wall.

Another important safety issue is to ensure that the stove is operating at a high draw by observing the amount of air that flows into the firebox and through the chimney. The owner's manual will give specific instructions on how you can regulate air flow in the majority of modern stoves. The highest heating efficiencies can be achieved when control of the air flow is properly used.

Additionally, the chimney and flue pipes must be free of combustible materials, including drapes, papers, trash or rug. A lack of clearance between combustibles and wood-burning appliances is a major cause of fires in homes caused by wood stoves.

Keep children away from wood stoves when the fire is burning or when the ashes are being removed. Children are naturally curious, and may try to touch the hot surfaces of a wood stove, or put their hands in the flame. Install a child-proof fence around the fireplace, or install a fireplace screen. It is also important to check the fireplace regularly and wood stove for signs of wear and tear.

It is also crucial to have your stove and chimney professionally checked at least once a year to check for creosote buildup, bird nests, and other problems which can affect the safety of your stove. This will help to prevent fires, health hazards and reduce the necessity for carbon monoxide remediation services.

Maintenance

Wood stoves are an effective way to lower the cost of heating, however they need some additional maintenance. If you do not perform the necessary maintenance on your wood stove, it can cause a fire that escapes the flue, a risky chimney fire, or an unintentional house fire. It is also recommended to clean the surfaces of the stove and flue. You should also keep a fire extinguisher handy and test it regularly. Smoke detectors are also an excellent idea for all rooms of the home, but they are especially useful in the room where the stove is.

In general it is recommended to clean your stove and chimney at least once a year. Cleaning schedules should be adjusted in accordance with how frequently 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 for burning in the stove. Avoid using a lot oil or kerosene to ignite the fire. These fuels can release toxic gases and can be harmful to your health.

You should inspect your door gaskets at the time of your regular cleaning. They are usually made of rope-like braids that may be damaged by repeated closing and opening. If you find that the gasket is loosened and you need to replace it, buy a gasket made of fiberglass and some cement to repair it. The hinges of these doors must be inspected as well.

Chimneys and flues must be inspected to ensure that they are free of creosote accumulation and obstructions. During this inspection, look for cracks in the chimney liner and any other indications of damage. Stovepipes must also be inspected and any damage should be repaired.

It is essential to clean the glass door of your wood stove. It is easy to accomplish this by mixing water and ammonia. A rag or sponge should be soaked in the solution and then wiped across the surface of the glass until it is completely clean. For tougher staining, leave the solution on for a couple of minutes before wiping again.