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

EPA-Certified Wood Stoves May Not Meet Your Health and www.5829186.xyz; www.5829186.xyz, Safety Standards

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

In a time of rising energy costs, many cities are seeking to reduce the use of wood, especially in areas where air quality is poor. Here are 10 strategies to improve indoor air quality and to get more heat out of each log.

Efficiency

Wood stoves are among the most efficient ways to heat your home. Modern EPA-certified wood stoves burn logs fast and produce less smoke than older models. This makes it possible to use a greater portion of the potential energy from your fire in a shorter amount of time and cut down on your heating bill by as much as 30 percent. If you only use seasoned hardwood, the efficiency of wood stoves will increase over the life of the stove.

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

The higher efficiency of wood stoves are achieved by controlling the air, fuel and combustion process. Wood stoves that regulate the airflow are able to slow down the speed at which the fire moves through the wood and allow the gases that are produced to stay hot and fully combust.

Additionally modern wood stoves are able to recycle the byproducts from incomplete combustion into a new fire that is more efficient in burning. This process is called reburn, and can boost wood stove burning efficiency by as much as 10 percent.

Wood is also carbon-neutral which is a further benefit. Trees absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere while growing and release oxygen in return when they are burned. Wood is a sustainable resource for the environment, especially when it is sourced from local woodlands, which are managed in a way that encourages healthy tree growth.

Cleanliness

Cleaning and maintenance of 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 hazards. Clean stoves, flue pipes and chimneys 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 will hold all of the ashes, and then dump it outside away from anything that could burn. Alternatively, you can add the ashes to your compost for a healthy addition to your garden.

While the ashes are out of the stove, it's a good time to sweep the floor and vacuum up any dust that remains. It is also a great idea to leave at least three feet space between your wood stove, and any combustible things such as pillows or curtains. This will prevent the spread of fire and burning the objects.

A clean glass door that is placed on the inside of your stove will allow you to see the flames dancing, and can aid you in determining when to start a fresh fire. Make sure that you have glass cleaner available to remove any smudged or tarred areas that might be present. Newspaper dipped in ash and water can be used to clean the glass if it is extremely dirty. Avoid scratching the glass as this could cause it to break or break when heated.

The accumulation of creosote in your chimney flue is one the primary causes of chimney fires. Creosote can be extremely flammable, which is why any layer of even one millimeter can trigger a chimney fire. Clean the flue regularly especially if burning soft or pine woods create more creosote.

To avoid creosote vapors entering your home, you should only burn dry and seasoned wood that has been cut in half or smaller. Also, do not burn fake wood or trash in your wood stove.

Safety

Wood stove burning can produce extremely harmful gases, including carbon monoxide and particulates. These toxins can enter your home and could have adverse health consequences for older adults, children or people suffering from respiratory ailments like asthma or COPD. The exposure to wood smoke in the long run can lead to heart disease and lead to lung damage.

To reduce the risk of these issues to avoid these risks, it is vital to follow the proper wood stove burning practices. This includes ensuring the stove is working properly and has enough energy output to meet the dimensions and design of the room. Only dry, well-seasoned and dry woods are suitable for burning in the stove. The moisture content should be below 20 percent. If the moisture content is higher, it will burn faster and produce a smoky fire with more creosote build-up on the chimney vent pipe walls.

Another crucial safety concern is ensuring that the stove has a good draw by monitoring the amount of air flowing through the firebox and 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 control of the air flow is properly used.

Finally, the flue and chimney pipes should be kept clear of any combustible materials, including drapes, paper, trash or rug. Insufficient clearance between combustibles as well as wood-burning appliances is the most common reason for house fires caused by wood stoves.

Be sure to keep children away from wood stoves while the fire is burning or the ashes are being removed. Children are naturally curious, and they might touch hot surfaces on the wood stove or put their hands in the flame. It is recommended to install a child-proof gate around the fireplace or to use the fireplace screen. In addition, it is essential to regularly check the fireplace and wood stove for signs of wear.

Lastly, it is important to ensure that your chimney and stove are regularly inspected for the accumulation of creosote and bird nests, as well as other issues that could affect the safety of your chimney or stove. This will help to prevent fires and health hazards as well as reducing the necessity for carbon monoxide remediation services.

Maintenance

Although wood stoves are an excellent method of saving money on heating bills however, 5829186 they require additional maintenance. If you don't take care of the necessary maintenance, your wood stove can cause a fire that is dangerous to escape the flue or chimney and could even trigger an explosion in your home. In addition to sweeping the chimney and cleaning the stove, you need to sweep and clean the surfaces in the stove and flue. Keep a fire extinguisher on the counter and test it frequently. Smoke detectors are also a great idea throughout the home, but they are especially useful in the area where the stove is.

As a rule cleaning your stove and chimney at least once per year. The schedule for cleaning is dependent on the amount that the stove is being used, and it might need to be done more frequently in winter. Make sure to use only dry and seasoned wood to burn in the stove. It is advised to avoid using lots of kerosene or oil when starting the fire, as these fuels have different burning patterns and generate toxic gases that can be extremely harmful to your health.

When you clean your house regularly and maintenance, be sure to check the gaskets on your doors. These are usually made of a braided substance that may be damaged over time. If you notice that the gasket is loose, purchase a replacement gasket made of fiberglass as well as some gasket cement to fix it. The hinges of these doors need to also be checked.

It is important to inspect chimneys and flues to ensure that they are free of creosote and obstructions. During the inspection, www.5829186.xyz look out for cracks and other signs of damage to the chimney lining. Stovepipes must also be inspected, and any dents should be repaired.

If you have a glass door on your wood stove, it is essential to keep it clean. You can do this by mixing water and www.5829186.xyz ammonia. A rag or sponge should be soaked in the solution and then wiped across the glass's surface until it is completely clean. It is possible to leave the solution for a couple of minutes before wiping it off again.