Learn Before You Burn Wood - What You Can Do | US EPA (2024)

FAQs

Learn Before You Burn Wood - What You Can Do | US EPA? ›

While older uncertified stoves release 15 to 30 grams of smoke per hour, new EPA-certified stoves produce no more than 4.5 grams per hour. Look for the EPA certification label on the back of the stove, or check the current list of EPA-certified wood stoves.

While older uncertified stoves release 15 to 30 grams of smoke per hour, new EPA-certified stoves produce no more than 4.5 grams per hour. Look for the EPA certification label on the back of the stove, or check the current list of EPA-certified wood stoves.

Health Effects Caused by Wood Smoke

The smoke from wood-burning devices, such as stoves and heaters, contains fine particle pollution, and hazardous air pollutants such as carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds, nitrogen oxides benzene and formaldehyde.

“Certified” means that a wood-burning appliance meets EPA clean air standards. It generates less smoke (fewer particles) than a non-certified stove and uses less wood to create more heat. Only new stoves are certified. Certification takes place when the stove is manufactured.

Except in Washington and Oregon, new and old wood and pellet stoves can be installed in all US states, though local cities and counties may have their own restrictions. A few states and hundreds of counties also require permits to install wood and/or pellet stoves.

While it is legal to own and operate a woodstove that does not meet the Step 2 emission standards, it is a violation of EPA regulations (and therefore against the law) to sell woodstoves that are not EPA-certified.

Step 1: Prepare the Wood

Make sure the wood is ready to stain by first sanding it lightly in the direction of the grain with medium-grit sandpaper, followed by one with fine grit. Tip: If the wood is soft or porous, then after sanding, use a pre-stain wood conditioner to prevent blotching.

Wood burned inside the home should always be dry and seasoned for at least 6-12 months. Wood burns most efficiently when the moisture content is at 20% or less. Damp wood burns at a cooler temperature, resulting in incomplete combustion, more smoke, and dangerous creosote build-up in the chimney (a fire hazard).

A regular question we get asked here at Homefire is “Are wood burning stoves safe and can I leave them on and go to bed?”. The simple answer? Yes - you just need to make sure before leaving your fire unattended that you make the necessary steps to make sure it is safe to do so.

Basswood is a great example of a clear canvas. While many basswood pieces will have some form of freckles or tiny knots, it's typically the same color all across. Aspen is a great example of color variations while still being among the best wood for woodburning.

When should you not burn wood? ›

Green, unseasoned wood or wet wood is hard to light, burns inefficiently and produces a lot of smoke. Unseasoned wood will “hiss” when burned, will not show cracks at the cut end, is heavier, and still smells of fresh cut wood.

At only 2.6 grams of emissions per hour, the Liberty is the cleanest burning large stove ever approved by the EPA. It's also the largest stove made by Lopi. A large viewing area and cooktop surface the liberty gives about as much as a wood stove could ever give.

The average lifespan of a wood-burning stove is 10 to 20 years, but taking care of your stove and keeping a close eye on it can mean that you can extend its lifespan to the better half of the number above.

Perhaps the best thing going for the Kuuma Vapor-Fire 100 is that, according to the EPA testing data, it's the cleanest-burning furnace on the market today. EPA-certified furnaces are ultra-clean by necessity, but the Vapor-Fire takes it to another level.

Basically, all Blaze King King and Princess model stoves that are non-catalytic are not EPA approved. At the same time, the earliest catalytic models were designed and manufactured and testing for emissions was not required. Therefore, not all catalytic models are EPA approved either.

FLOOR PROTECTION: For an unlisted stove (one that is 20 years old is probably unlisted), floor protection must be a noncombustible material and extend to at least 18" from all sides of the appliance. For listed stoves it should extend at least 8" on the sides and back and 18" in the front.

Emission Limits for Wood Stoves

The internal design of wood stoves has changed entirely since the EPA issued standards of performance for new wood stoves in 1988.

An uncertified wood stove or insert is not EPA certified. Typically stoves or inserts older than 1989 are uncertified.