If you own a wood-burning appliance that was made before 1990, it may not be as efficient as you may think. Not only do these older appliances waste wood and create dust in your home, but they also produce a lot of pollution. Developments in technology have allowed manufacturers to make wood-burning appliances much more efficient. These newer appliances are so efficient that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has certified them as energy efficient appliances. Replacing your old wood-burning appliance with a newer EPA-certified appliance will save you both fuel and money, and you will also be protecting your family’s health. Winston’s Chimney Service would like to tell you more about the energy efficiency of new wood-burning appliances and how to make them even more efficient.

What are the benefits of newer wood-burning appliances?How Efficient is Your Wood-Burning Appliance - Fairfax VA - Winston's Chimney Service

According to the EPA, a new wood-burning appliance is up to 50 percent more efficient than an appliance that was manufactured before 1990. The new appliances can provide the same amount of heat by using less firewood, and this will save you time and money to heat your home. Newer wood-burning appliances are also environmentally friendly as they produce fewer emissions. They burn wood much more cleanly, and this reduces the amount of creosote deposits that accumulate on the inside of your chimney. Since creosote is highly flammable, you are greatly reducing your risk of experiencing a chimney fire.

How can I make my new wood-burning appliance even more efficient?

To optimize the efficiency of your wood-burning appliance, you should only burn seasoned firewood. This type of wood has been allowed to dry for at least six months after it has been cut. If you cut your own firewood, you can season it properly by storing it off the ground and by covering the top of your wood stacks with a tarp to protect it from rain. You want to be sure that the tarp does not cover the sides of the stacks because you want air to be able to circulate through the wood stacks to help the drying process. If you do not cut your own firewood, you can ask your family and friends to recommend a local firewood dealer you can trust to have properly seasoned firewood. You can also purchase an inexpensive moisture meter that can tell you exactly how much water is in a piece of firewood. Seasoned firewood should have a moisture content of 20 percent or less.

How do I know if my newer wood-burning appliance has been certified by the EPA?

Our staff at Winston’s Chimney Service can tell you which appliances have received this certification. You can also look on the back of your appliance for the metal tag that declares its EPA certification. Your owner’s manual will also have this information. You can always check the list of certified appliances at the EPA’s website to be absolutely certain.

Need to update your old wood-burning appliance? Contact us at Winston’s Chimney Service to find out how we can help you with this process by installing an EPA-certified wood-burning appliance.