Wood Burning Appliances

By Carl Brahe, CCI, Certified Home Inspector

Denver Home Inspector, Carl Brahe

In the Denver metro area, more people are burning wood for heat in an effort to save money. Burning wood can provide cheap comfortable heat if properly sized and installed. Newer technology makes wood stoves and fireplace inserts very efficient and clean burning.

Burning wood can provide aesthetic enjoyment if properly maintained. A wood burning appliance that is improperly installed or maintained can be a health hazard in more ways than one. Ash and smoke are an inevitability when burning wood. A well designed, well maintained wood burning appliance, burning dry wood, will allow little of either into your homes air.

According to Environmental and Human Health, Inc: “Although wood smoke conjures up fond memories of sitting by a cozy fire, it is important to know that the components of wood smoke and cigarette smoke are quite similar, and that many components of both are carcinogenic. Wood smoke contains fine particulate matter, carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, sulfur dioxide and various irritant gases such as nitrogen oxides that can scar the lungs. Wood smoke also contains chemicals known or suspected to be carcinogens, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and dioxin.”

Burning wood for heat, for one season, can add up as much CO to the atmosphere as driving 130,000 miles. Newer more efficient wood burning appliances can cut emission significantly.

Properly seasoned wood is essential for safe, clean wood burning. Wood must be very dry. In most cases this means seasoning for a year or more. Wet wood produces low burning temperatures and high smoke, soot and creosote output.

Chimneys and stove pipes need to be cleaned regularly to prevent chimney fires and blockage that can cause smoke to back up into your home. Chimneys should be cleaned once a year and wood stove pipes up to 3 times a year.

Newer wood burning stoves and inserts can provide beauty and comfort, as well as inexpensive heat. A properly sized and installed, EPA approved, wood burning appliance adds value to your home. Proper maintenance is essential to your continued enjoyment.

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(For many more resources for property owners/buyers/sellers and professionals throughout Metro Denver, go to: www.inspection-perfection.com Inspection Perfection, Inc - 303-816-5556)