Wood stoves and wood pellet stoves already manufactured are not affected by the application of the new EPA standard. However, when it`s time to buy a new wood stove, the standard comes into play. According to a review of the wood stove ban in the Washington Times, the most dangerous aspect of the EPA`s proposed guidelines is the unified approach to the perceived problem. The same rules on wood-burning stoves would apply to both large, heavily polluted cities and much cleaner rural areas with extremely cool temperatures. Families living in Alaska or off-grid in the western wilderness will likely have a very difficult time staying in their cold, secluded homes if EPA`s rules on wood stoves are approved. Don`t believe it, some people think it`s illegal to have a wood stove. It`s legal in Oregon or anywhere in the Pacific Northwest. There are certain laws relating to the sale of a home with an uncertified stove (see the Heat Smart Act below). This may be the source of some of this confusion. The term „not certified“ means that the oven does not have a certification label on the back of the oven.
These were generally produced before 1991. Some ovens from the mid-1980s have an Oregon DEQ certification label. Very old, large and bulky wood stoves with large metal doors are unlikely to be certified. On the global footprint, firewood is locally sourced, so less transportation is required compared to other energy sources. Compared to electricity transmission, where more than 70% of it is wasted on power lines that supply and release electricity, wood is more efficient. Wood is also climate neutral. It is a natural resource that is renewed in 30 to 70 years, which is very short compared to fossil fuels. The heat of wood produces ash as a residue and is good for the environment. Compared to nuclear waste, the disposal of solar panels and batteries, wood is much better for the environment on this spectrum in the long run. In 2009, the Oregon legislature passed Senate Bill 102, the „Heat Smart for Clean Air“ bill. The bill was drafted in collaboration with the Oregon Association of Realtors and OHPBA.
Rules for Heat Smart will begin in summer 2010 and will be adopted in the fall. These new laws came into force on August 1, 2010. If you sell a house with an old, non-certified wood stove, you must remove this appliance and notify the ODEQ. The Act entered into force on 1 August 2010. No need to do anything regarding EPA requirements. The new regulation will only apply to units sold and installed after May 15, 2020. Another interesting article on this topic is available for Canadian residents. welovefire.com/fireplaces/are-wood-fireplaces-and-wood-stoves-legal-to-use-in-canada/ San Francisco Bay Area – Winter Spare the Air Alerts are available between November 1 and the last day of February. On a Spare the Air winter day, the Air District Wood Burning Ordinance prohibits the burning of wood, logs, pellets or other solid fuels in a fireplace, wood stove, outdoor fireplace or other wood-burning equipment throughout the Bay Area. This regulation applies to both households and businesses such as hotels and restaurants. In addition, the Bay Area`s wood burning rule includes provisions such as banning wood-burning appliances in new buildings and a year-round ban on excessive chimney smoke. Smoke is injured when it obscures objects seen through it by more than 20%.
Violation may result in a fine. The clear answer is yes, and that applies to all states. But what are the requirements? Yolo-Solano AQMD launched „Don`t Light Tonight,“ a voluntary program that encourages residents not to use wood stoves and fireplaces when air pollution approaches unhealthy levels. The district is also promoting cleaner combustion technologies and a shift to cleaner combustion technology. Bay Area Air Quality Management District (San Francisco), CA – If the district issues a „Spare the Air winter alert,“ it is illegal to burn wood. Starting at 1. As of November 2016, the new building may no longer include the installation of wood-burning appliances, including fireplaces, wood stoves or EPA-certified inserts or pellet appliances.