Back in the days of cowboys and general stores, wood stoves could have been mistaken for indoor smokestacks--and that wouldn't have been too far from the truth. But modern stoves are actually one of the "greenest" sources of radiant heat available to home owners today. Here are some of the big reasons why.
Let's start with a little history. In the early 20th century, even the most efficient wood burning stoves left a lot to be desired and it wasn't hard to tell. The smoky haze these stoves produced was a telltale sign that an unknowing home owner was literally giving the torch to his heating budget. Fortunately, there has been a revolution in stove design since those days.
Around 1990, there was a growing interest in alternative heating sources, caused by the rising awareness of the impact of fossil fuels (oil, coal) on the environment. In addition, the goal of energy self-sufficiency caused home owners to reevaluate wood stoves as a heating method. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) got involved, instituting demanding emissions standards to make sure that new stoves would be kind to the environment.
As new stoves were produced, engineers incorporated the EPA standards, and the "modern" wood stove came into being. Since 1990, every new wood stove is approved by the EPA, and produces a mere trickle of smoke (2-5 grams per hour) and very little ash. This amounts to a 33 percent increase in fuel efficiency over the old potbelly stoves, and a 90 percent decrease in emissions. In plain English, this means that advanced wood burning stoves burn a lot less wood and are simultaneously kinder to the planet.
At this point, a natural question would be, "Don't wood stoves put pollutants into the atmosphere just like other heating sources--gas, oil, or coal?" The answer is nuanced. When fossil fuels are extracted from the earth and consumed, they release carbon dioxide into the environment at unhealthy levels. And after the monumental costs of extracting and producing these fuels, once they're burned, they're gone for good.
As a fuel source, wood is different on several counts.
Trees, like all other green plants, take carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere and convert it to fiber in order to grow. When trees die, and wood decomposes, this CO2 is released back into the air. But in this case, it is a natural cycle, since all trees eventually die. The same thing is true when wood is burned. Making the wood-burning cycle sustainable is the fact that wood is a renewable source of fuel.
We started this article asking the question, "Are wood stoves good for the environment?" The answer, when you compare stoves to other heating methods, is yes. Today's stoves are fuel efficient: they produce more heat with less wood, keeping emissions to a minimum by meeting strict EPA standards. Best of all, perhaps, they don't deprive the earth of non-renewable fossil fuels.
So, call to mind that rusty, black iron stove you saw in a Western movie, a vacation lodge, or at your grandparents. Then prepare yourself for an updated picture as you explore the world of modern wood stoves. Environmentally speaking, today's stoves are very green.
Recycling Good For Environment
An allergy is a disorder of the immune system and is caused by reactions occurring from environmental substances known as allergens. Examples of allergic reactions include asthma, food allergies, eczema, and reactions to stings from wasps and bees. Treatments for allergies include the use of avoiding the allergen, anti-histamines, and steroids.
Avoiding the allergen can be an effective way of reducing the incident of the allergy occurring. For example, eczema, a painful skin condition, can be made worse when the person has come into contact with chemical cleaners used in the house. Therefore the use of non-chemical cleaners/environmentally friendly products can help to prevent a flare-up of the condition. You can also visit at www.arts-crafts-for-all.com
What are environmentally friendly products? Environmentally friendly products are made from natural ingredients that have very few side effects. The advantages of environmentally products leans not only towards us but towards nature as well, which means the products are good for humans to use, and the products break down in the environment when they have been discarded. Many companies manufacture environmentally friendly products across the world, and production is increasing as more consumers are realising the benefits to their health and the environment when they use the products. But some people are put off using such products because of the cost, and for people on a tight budget it is a major concern. However, there is a cheap and cheerful way to use environmentally cleaning products ?and they are normally found in the pantry/larder:
Vinegar ? white distilled vinegar can be used concentrated for tough jobs or diluted with distilled water for easier jobs. It is brilliant for removing lime scale on taps, shower screens, cleaning windows, as is a general disinfectant, and general cleaner. The ?fish ?n? chip? smell does dissipate and leaves the air smelling fresh and clean. Do not use vinegar on marble or some stone products.
Tomato ketchup ? for cleaning brass, rubs on and then rubs off to a shine.
Lemon juice and bicarbonate soda ? once the ingredients have been added together and made into a paste, it is great for cleaning dirty areas such as ovens?but some elbow grease is needed as well!
Bicarbonate soda ? sprinkle on to carpets before vacuuming to freshen them up. Put some into a container and put at the back of the fridge to keep out odors. Lemon juice and olive oil ? one cup of lemon oil, half a cup of olive oil and shake together well. This makes a lovely solution for cleaning wooden furniture. For more details you can visit at www.america-gardener.com. The cleaning products suggested above are nothing new as women have used them in the home generations ago. Unfortunately somewhere along the line recent generations have forgotten about the ?back-to-basics? cleaning products when they fell for the clever marketing of cleaners that used a variety of chemicals. Other environmentally friendly products that manufactures are making are: Hand made paper ? not only reduces pollution by 70% but also helps in saving trees as the process uses non-wood raw materials to a large extent
Use of ECO wheels, also known as electric vehicles, which can help in reducing air pollution
Eco friendly furniture uses raw-wood and recycled products, so is a good alternative to wooden furniture
Equipment using solar energy provides heat without causing air and sound pollution
Eco friendly paints have fewer chemicals in them and there is very little odour
Eco shoes are made up of recycled rubber and plastics
Conclusion
Environmentally friendly products are good for humans and nature. Some environmentally friendly products are more costly than ?traditional? types of products but savings can be made if we go ?back-to-basics.?
Both Ariel Vanderhorst & Narinder Pal Sharma are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Ariel Vanderhorst has sinced written about articles on various topics from Motorola Cell Phone, Motorola Cell Phone and Home Management. AJ Vanderhorst writes about for today's home owners. A world of warm aesthetics and hot, clean, fue. Ariel Vanderhorst's top article generates over 5400 views. to your Favourites.
Causes Of Peptic Ulcer People who have acquired stomach injuries or people who have suffered surgical interventions are exposed to a high risk of developing peptic ulcer