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EPA's OWHH Program
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Look for the orange tag
When buying an outdoor wood-fired hydronic heater, look for the orange tag. The orange tag means the model is cleaner and pollutes less than other models.
Full Size Version (PDF)
(1pg, 55k)
EPA Outdoor Wood-fired Hydronic Heaters Program
The OWHH program encourages manufacturers to improve air quality
through developing and distributing cleaner, more efficient outdoor wood-fired hydronic heaters. This program
will achieve emission reductions and protect public health sooner than a federal rule.
Information for Consumers
- Look for the orange tag (PDF) (1pg, 55k) when purchasing an outdoor wood-fired hydronic heater
- Understanding the orange tag
- Facts for Consumers (PDF) (2pp, 68k)
- Frequently Asked Questions (PDF) (5pp, 27k)
Information for Manufacturers
How a manufacturer can participate in the OWHH Program:
- sign a Partnership Agreement (PDF) (41pp, 366k) with EPA to bring cleaner OWHH models to the market
- use a descriptive hang tag (PDF) (1pg, 55k) on heaters that provides information on smoke emissions for particular OWHH models
- display information about the voluntary program in OWHH sales areas
- include text in each qualifying owner’s manual on proper operation and maintenance of the OWHH including how and what to burn
- submit sales and test data on improved OWHH
In order to assist the manufacturing partners, EPA provides program support to encourage the purchase of cleaner, more efficient outdoor wood-fired hydronic heater models. As part of the program, EPA provides:
- text labels that identify which models meet EPA program requirements
- outreach and educational materials
If you're a manufacturer and would like to participate in the program, email owhh@epa.gov.
Outdoor Wood-fired Hydronic Heaters Model Rule
EPA worked with the Northeast States for Coordinated Air Use Management (NESCAUM) 
to develop a model rule that states, tribes and local authorities may elect to use, in whole or in part, if they choose to regulate outdoor wood-fired hydronic heaters. The model rule contains the following components for both new and existing outdoor wood-fired hydronic heaters:
- emission limits for outdoor wood-fired hydronic heaters
- setback requirements from property lines, structures, people
- stack height requirements
- instructions for proper operation and maintenance of outdoor wood-fired hydronic heaters
- labels for outdoor wood-fired hydronic heaters
- notice to buyers