Woodstoves
Old and traditional wood-burning appliances are amongst the leading indoor pollutants that can cause asthma attacks, cancers, or other respiratory diseases. However, new alternatives have been developed to make wood burning appliances more eco-friendly. Through those efforts, multiple alternatives have been created to allow homeowners to take control of their indoor air quality.
Efficient Alternatives
Stoves, heaters, dryers, and fireplaces all play a significant role in the air quality in your home. Old wood burning appliances are inefficient and burn off carbon monoxide. But current models have been able to significantly reduce emissions while doing an even better job at warming you and your home. Older wood burning appliances can produce up to 30 grams of smoke per hour, with the EPA’s performance standard being 4.5 grams per hour. Electric appliances also offer eco-friendly benefits with traditional satisfaction. These appliances are easily installed and do not need a gas or vent line to work, while gel and biofuel stoves add another environmentally conscious option that also provide eco-benefits. From current efficient wood burning models to electric and biofuels, there are several alternatives to tackle your indoor air pollution.
Keep It Simple, Use Water
The presence of water can have a significant impact on the quality of air in your home. While humidity might not be the first guess for cutting into the presence of indoor pollutants, it might be the smartest. It is common for indoor air pollutants to hold a slight electric charge. A water source in the home such as a pond or fountain can trap these allergens and improve the air quality. These water sources can also humidify the room and change the air. Humidity levels play a large part in the air quality in your home with the ideal level staying around 45 percent. If this level rises above 60 percent, it can run the risk of forming mold or mildew in your home causing major health problems. If these levels dip under 30 percent, anything from skin irritation to a respiratory infection is possible. Simply taking care of your indoor humidity levels can go a long way.
Take Matters Into Your Own Hands
Maintaining a high standard indoor air quality is important to the health of any homeowner. With efficient wood burning appliances, you can enjoy their traditional benefits while working to reduce the pollutants in your home. Electric, gel, and biofuel appliances provide alternatives with the same comfort of traditional models. By enjoying these appliances responsibly as well as maintaining an acceptable humidity level, your indoor air quality will improve drastically.
Cassandra Pearson
Laura Streitman says deciding to install three wood-burning fireplace inserts in her Butler County home was not a tough decision.
“It was the cost,” she says about heating the all-electric home. “The first bill we got, I think, was about $650.”
Thinking about a pellet stove this winter? You may want to consider it, they burn cleanly, produce tons of heat and do not require much maintenance. Most people that already own a pellet stove say they love it.
After three woodstove collections, the Allegheny County Health Department is offering county residents a chance to dispose of old wood stoves and outdoor wood-fired boilers that do not meet current national emission standards in return for cash incentives.
“The Health Department’s ‘bounty’ program has been extremely successful in terms of helping residents switch to better performing equipment, but also benefiting our air quality as well,” said Health Department Director Dr. Karen Hacker. “I’m proud that we are able to offer these opportunities to our residents and that these collections allow us to continue moving towards the goal of reducing or eliminating fine particulate pollution.”
All fireplaces start with a good operating and well maintained chimney. Using your fireplace when there is a build-up of creosote is very dangerous and can lead to a chimney fire also resulting in a full blown house fire. How do you know if you have a creosote build-up? Well, the easiest way is to call your local chimney sweep. If you are handy and physically able to climb on your roof, you can co the inspection and possible cleaning yourself.