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EPA Certified Wood Stoves: Frequent Questions
CAA Topics
- New Source Performance Standards and State Implementation Plans
- National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAPS) Air Toxics
- Stratospheric Ozone
- Wood Heaters
- 112(r) General Duty Clause and Risk Management Plans
- Mobile Sources
- Asbestos Demolition and Renovation
- Acid Rain inspection and trading programs
- Applicability Determination Index
- Why purchase an EPA-certified wood stove?
- How do I identify an EPA-certified wood stove?
- What does a permanent label look like?
- What does a temporary label look like?
- What types of EPA-certified wood stoves are available for sale?
- What questions should consumers ask when purchasing an EPA certified wood stove?
1. Why purchase an EPA-certified wood stove?
EPA-certified wood stoves are cleaner burning and more efficient than a typical uncertified wood stove. In some states and jurisdictions, it is illegal to offer for sale, purchase, operate or sell a house containing a wood stove not certified by the EPA Wood Heater Program.
2. How do I identify an EPA-certified wood stove?
EPA-certified wood stoves can be identified by:
- reviewing the list of EPA-certified wood stoves on this site
- locating the EPA permanent label on the front, side or bottom of the wood stove
- locating the temporary label attached to the front of a new wood stove
3. What does a permanent label look like?
The permanent label is typically located on the front, back or side of a wood stove. The label should specify the month and year of manufacture, serial number, model name or number and a compliance certification statement verifying that the unit meets EPA particulate emissions standards.
4. What does a temporary label look like?
A temporary label is typically made of cardboard and is attached to the front of the wood stove. The purpose of the temporary label is to provide consumers with information regarding the emission rate and efficiency rating. The temporary label may be discarded after the wood stove is purchased. Retail outlets are required to display temporary labels on new wood stoves but not for used wood stoves.
5. What types of EPA-certified wood stoves are available for sale?
There are three basic types of wood stoves that have received certifications under the wood heater program:
- Catalytic wood stoves are equipped with a ceramic or metal honeycomb device, called a combustor or catalyst. The catalyst is coated with a a noble metal such as platinum or palladium that reduces the ignition temperature of the unburned volatile organic compounds, P\particulate matter and carbon monoxide in the exhaust gases prior to their exit into the atmosphere thereby reducing particulate matter emissions. As the components of these gases burn, the temperature inside the catalyst increases to the point at which the ignition of the gases is essentially self sustaining. Wood stoves equipped with catalytic combustors are assigned a default efficiency rating of 72%.
- Pellet stoves are those wood heating appliances fueled by pellets of sawdust, wood products and other biomass materials pressed into manageable shapes and sizes. These stoves have active air flow systems and unique grate design to accommodate this type of fuel. Some pellet stove models are subject to the wood stove regulations, while others are exempt due to a high air to fuel ratio. Pellet stoves are assigned a default efficiency rate of 78%.
- Non catalytic wood stoves are those wood stoves that do not use catalysts but do have emission-reducing technology. Typical emissions-reducing design characteristics for an EPA certified non-catalytic wood stove include baffles and secondary air chambers. Non- catalytic wood stoves are assigned a default efficiency rate of 63%.