In 1990, the EPA finalized and passed into law new pollution standards
for Wood and Coal stoves. Many folks are still confused about this issue.
Basically, the new laws apply only to freestanding and built-in "space
heaters" which burn wood in a controlled manner (so-called "airtight"
stoves). The standards call for these appliances to be able to burn very
cleanly, up to 10 times as clean as older stoves. They also must burn cleanly
at all settings, from very low to very high. Certain Solid Fuel appliances
are exempt from these standards. Coal stoves, open fireplaces, cook stoves
and all central heating units are not required to meet these standards.
If you already have a woodstove, don't worry ! All existing stoves and used
stoves are "grandfathered" and allowed to be used. The law only
applies to the manufacturers. Still, it is smart to upgrade your system
to a more efficient model whenever possible. This will help us all clean
the air and make better use of our resources.
How Clean is Clean ? The standards measure pollution in "grams per
hours" which represents the particles in the smoke released up the
chimney. One gram is approx. the amount of smoke released from the entire
burn of a cigarette. Older stoves and fireplaces released from 40 to 80
grams per hour of smoke, the new EPA approved stoves produce from 2 to 5
grams per hour.
You can rest assured that the people who make up the Hearth Industry are
constantly striving to clean up the air even more. Research in the laboratory
has produced experimental stoves which produce less than one gram of smoke
per hour....amazing clean !