How Wood-Burning Affects Indoor Air Quality

Wood burning for indoor heating has sure gotten a bad rap these last few years, and no wonder. Wood smoke is full of particulates that adversely affect the indoor air quality of a home, and that aggravate all kinds of respiratory problems, from allergies to bronchitis and asthma. It can even aggravate conditions leading to heart and lung failure.What's more, wood smoke is full of the carbon emissions that are contributing to the greenhouse effect; plus it creates a layer of smoke that can hover over cities in the winter time. Some municipalities have even had to ban the burning of wood to diminish the haze.Still, some people are mighty partial to having some kind of heating option in addition to their central HVAC system. Let's look at some choices that might not have as many potential problems as a wood-burning fireplace.

Other Heating Options

The majority of wood stoves sold have some of the same issues as wood-burning fireplaces. They give off carbon emissions and particulates that foul your IAQ, and are inefficient to use. However, a new generation of so-called catalytic stoves are a much better option. These stoves have a catalytic combustor that traps smoke and other combustion byproducts. A chemical coating in the combustor interacts with the smoke, igniting it at a much lower temperature than the 1100 degrees F that is normally required for wood stoves.The fact the ignition occurs at low temperature means the stove is more efficient, and that the amount of emissions given off is reduced. Wood also lasts much longer. These stoves do require maintenance to keep them clean so they continue to burn efficiently. Also, the parts can be expected to wear out within a decade or so.Non-catalytic stoves are easier to maintain, but release more emissions and have a higher burning rate so are less efficient.Pellet stoves are another option. They burn cleaner than non-catalytic wood stoves and fire places, but require some electricity to ignite the pellets.

For more on fire places and indoor air quality, contact Air Assurance of Broken Arrow.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about other HVAC topics, call us at 918-217-8273.

Carbon-Monoxide Detectors: How They Work And Why You Need Them

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a dangerous gas, so in order to avoid serious health problems, it's critical to be prepared for situations that require a fast response. CO is a gas produced by combustion appliances, such as gas ovens, fireplaces and cars. It's not possible for a homeowner to track CO levels without a carbon-monoxide detector, because it's scentless and not visible to the naked eye. That’s why carbon-monoxide detectors are so important.Carbon-monoxide exposure is dangerous at both high levels of quick exposure and low levels of prolonged exposure. At low levels (200 parts per million, or PPM), headaches and nausea occur within two hours. At 400 PPM, exposure becomes life-threatening within a mere three hours. At 800 PPM, death can occur within two hours. A carbon-monoxide detector can mean the difference between life and death, particularly if the carbon monoxide is released while people are asleep.Carbon-monoxide detectors use technology to gauge the carbon-monoxide levels in a home’s air. There are various types of sensors; look for models approved by the Underwriters Laboratory, marked with a "UL" symbol to indicate that the product meets their safety guidelines. For under $100, you can generally get a good carbon-monoxide detector with several features. Consider those models that feature a carbon-monoxide measure: Because even low levels of prolonged exposure can cause serious problems, you might want a detector with a carbon-monoxide level read-out.  These typically cost more, but give you much better peace of mind and lower level alarming.The type of power source is another issue to consider, because both battery-powered and hard-wired models have their advantages:

• Battery-operated units can be installed almost anywhere, but they require more maintenance because you have to change the batteries regularly.

• Hard-wired models are maintenance-free and last up to ten years. However, to install them you’ll need to locate electrical access.

It’s crucial to install carbon-monoxide detectors where they’ll work to your advantage. Install one near the bedrooms, so you can hear the alarm go off even if you're sleeping. If you have a multi-level home, install a detector on each floor. Additionally, to avoid false alarms, don’t install them near combustible appliances (such as the stove) or humid areas (a bathroom).Stay safe with carbon-monoxide detectors. And remember, it's not just the winter time that CO can be a threat!!  It’s a small cost for a big payback: your life. The professionals at Air Assurance are available to help with your carbon-monoxide detector needs. Call us anytime with your questions.Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information, click here. Air Assurance services Tulsa, Broken Arrow and the surrounding areas. To get started, check out our website or see our current promotions.