Home Improvement » Wood Stoves

Wood Boilers: An Improvement on the Traditional Wood Stove

admin — Sun, 30 May 2010 01:36:50 +0000

Wood boilers take the idea of the traditional wood stove and improve on it, solving some problems inherent in wood burning and making wood a clean, safe, and efficient source of heat.

Wood stoves have been used for centuries; a very famous American, Benjamin Franklin, invented the Franklin stove in the 1700s as a safe alternative to fireplaces, which were dangerous – likely to catch the mainly wooden homes standard back then on fire – and not particularly efficient. The stove provided radiant heat in a relatively safe manner compared to the open fires of fireplaces.

While wood stoves were supplanted by central heating decades ago in urban and suburban environments, in the country many people continue to heat their homes, as well as cook their meals, partly or entirely with wood. But problems remain in the use of wood as a fuel; while a properly maintained and operated wood stove is relatively safe, the build-up of creosote in stove pipes and chimneys can still result in dangerous fires.

Another problem is time. In an era when at least one person in the family spent the majority of the time at home, feeding a hungry wood stove was not a big problem; now, however, with adults working outside the home at least forty hours a week, if not more, having a fire go out means coming home to a cold house and, in extremely cold weather, dealing with the possibility of frozen and burst pipes. Also, walking away from a house with an active fire burning in the wood stove doesn’t necessarily inspire a lot of peace of mind.

Enter the wood boiler. Designed to burn cleanly, with a minimum of creosote build-up, a boiler can be loaded with enough wood to burn for hours without having to replenish the wood supply. The boiler, which can be located inside or outside the home, heats water which can be used in hot water heating systems and, combined with a hot water storage system, can be stored for long periods of time (from seven to ten days) between firings.

Some boilers are constructed to be used with a variety of fuels, including wood, oil, and gas, offering a lot of flexibility to the homeowner, particularly with the fluctuations in the availability and pricing of different fuels. Other boilers are designed to burn corn or wood pellets, two more fuels which are increasing in popularity as alternatives to traditional fuel oil or natural gas.

With more consumers waking up to the problems inherent in heating with oil and natural gas, people are looking with renewed interest at alternative sources of fuel for heating their homes; and more and more are choosing wood boilers as a safe, sensible, and moneysaving solution.

By: Aldene Fredenburg

Checking for Asbestos in Your Home

admin — Sat, 15 May 2010 06:31:18 +0000

If you are concerned about asbestos exposure you are not alone. Many individuals wonder if they have been exposed, and if so, what they can do to help protect their health. If you think that you have been exposed to asbestos or are looking for ways to prevent an exposure, look no further. We will go over some of the health problems that arise from asbestos exposure, and what can be done to prevent them.

Asbestos is a mineral fiber that has been used for a variety of different applications. Many homes may have this material in their insulation, as it is a fire retardant. Once exposed, individuals can inhale the microscopic asbestos particles and take them into their lungs. Once there, the fibers can cause lung cancer. If prolonged exposure occurs, an individual can also develop cancer in the chest cavity and abdomen.

It is important to note that many individuals have experienced brief exposure and been just fine. The fine asbestos particles are difficult to see and get rid of, so it is common for them to remain in their air for long periods of time thus increasing the risk of cancer. Smokers are at an increased risk for side effects due to exposure.

If you think that your home may have asbestos there are several places that you want to look. It is important to remember that products today do not contain the fiber, only things built in the 1970’s or earlier.

- Steam pipes, boilers, and furnace ducts could be insulated with an asbestos blanket or asbestos paper tape. If the fibers become damaged or are repaired improperly, they could lead to exposure.

- Resilient floor tiles- the backing on many vinyl sheet flooring and adhesives could contain asbestos. Sanding the tiles or scraping them could release the fibers.

- Cement, millboard, and paper that were used as insulation around furnaces and wood burning stoves. Repairing or removing these appliances could stir up the fibers.

- Door gaskets- in furnaces, wood stoves, and coal stoves.

- Sound proofing or decorative material sprayed on walls and ceilings. Sanding, drilling or scraping the material could be harmful.

- Cement roofing, shingles, and siding. This usually only cause a problem when sawed, drilled, or cut.

If you think that you have asbestos in your home, don’t panic. If the material is good condition, you can leave it alone. It is only when these materials are disturbed that there is a problem. If you find a damaged area- discard it using asbestos gloves and a facial mask. Your local health or environmental officials will be able to walk you through the proper disposal procedure. Always check with them when beginning any remodeling job.

Remember, the only way to find out if something contains asbestos is to look at it under a microscope. Enlist the help of a professional, and let them handle the details. They are trained in such removal procedures and can help ensure the safety of your family and loved ones.

By: Kasi Jones

Keeping Your Home Safe and Allergy Free

admin — Wed, 05 May 2010 10:35:16 +0000

Dangerous gases can build up in a home, and newer homes, with modern and almost airtight sealing, are even more prone to this danger. Radon is one of these gases.

It is a radioactive gas that is the product of uranium decaying. Uranium exists in small amount in many soils. A small amount of radon is harmless, but too much can be dangerous.

Radon can be measured, especially in the basement with an inexpensive device that is designed for this purpose, to make sure the levels are not too high. If the levels are too high, a professional will have to be consulted. The EPA considers 4 picocuries or over a level where action needs to be taken.

If you are planning a basement remodelling, make sure you have adequate venting to avoid buildup of this gas. If you do have radon, small amounts won’t harm anyone, unless is it over a prolonged period.

Other gases that can be harmful are carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide. These are produced when a gas stove is not ventilated well, or when appliances such as gas dryers and water heaters have not been properly installed. Wood stoves are also a source of carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide.

If you are putting in any such appliances, be sure to carefully follow the directions. Keep all of the ducts clean and make sure the connections are tight.

There are detection devices for NO2 and CO, just as there are for radon.
In addition to gases, some common elements in the home can also be dangerous to our health. Dust is a major culprit.

If you a buying a new vacuum, get one with a HEPA filter. If you are doing a renovation, you will surely kick up a lot of dust if you are replacing cabinets, tearing up carpets or tearing down walls. Vacuum frequently during the project to keep the dust levels down.

Dust mites are responsible for many people’s allergic reactions. You can minimize the impact of dust mites. They live in the dust that naturally builds up on our carpets, curtains and furniture. Vacuuming frequently will keep this problem to a minimum, and make sure you always wash curtains, bedspreads and sheets in very hot water to destroy dust mites. If it is not recommended to wash the material in hot water, you can use a spray designed to kill mites and also stop them from reproducing. A good filtration system will help keep down the level of dust mites in your home.

There are other creatures living in your home with you and your family. Mildew and mold are living organisms that grow best in dark, damp spaces. Ducts in homes are a perfect spot for them, so if your renovation includes replacing duct work, you will be releasing a lot of mold and mildew into the home.

Changing filters frequently and keeping the ducts from your HVAC system clean will help with the mold and mildew problem. If you use these common sense tips, you will be able to keep your home healthier. Yes, we can be healthier, but we have to work at it.

By: Adam Peters