Key manufacturers of outdoor wood-fired heaters pledged to make units that will emit 90 percent less air pollution, under the second phase of a voluntary partnership with EPA.  EPA launched the voluntary program in January 2007, beginning with units 70 percent cleaner than unqualified models.  Sales of EPA-qualified units to date will prevent nearly 1,200 tons of fine particle emissions annually, providing more than $600 million in estimated annual health benefits.

Under a voluntary agreement with EPA, seven heater manufacturers have pledged to make at least one unit meeting new, stringent emission levels in the second phase of the program. The new models must emit no more than 0.32 pounds (0.15 kg) of particle pollution per million Btu of heat output and must be tested by an EPA-accredited laboratory to verify these emission levels. Phase 2 also allows additional types of heaters to qualify, including indoor hydronic heaters, models that burn other biomass such as corn or wood pellets, and models equipped with heat storage units.

 

Qualified Phase 2 models will be marked by a white hang tag showing that a unit meets the requirements of the program. According to the entity’s press release, some manufacturers already have units available that meet the new emission levels. The manufacturers agreeing to make cleaner outdoor wood heaters are: Alternative Fuel Boilers (Econoburn), Central Boiler, Greenwood Technologies, Hardy Manufacturing, HeatSource1, Northwest Manufacturing (WoodMaster), Silverwinds Metals, Inc. (Wood Doctor).