Is Your Wood Stove EPA-Certified?

EPA Certification
It's important to know if the manufacturer of your wood burning stove or insert had it tested to meet certification requirements set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). If it is EPA certified, it can be used during a first stage (yellow) burn ban.

Here's how you can find out:

• Look for a label on the side or back of the device.(see a sample graphic on right) 
• Review original paperwork.
• Look for name of manufacturer and model number.
• Review this list of EPA-certified devices.

As a rule of thumb, if your wood stove or fireplace insert was built prior to 1990, chances are it is not EPA certified. There were some models built in 1988 that were tested to meet EPA emissions standards.

EPA Exemption
Some wood heating appliances (i.e. pellet stoves) have been formally exempted from the EPA wood stove program.

The manufacturers of these appliances demonstrated that they do not meet the criteria necessary for EPA wood stove certification (i.e. firebox volume greater than 20 cubic feet, weigh less than 800 kilograms, possess a burn rate less than 5 grams per hour and have an air to fuel ratio less than 35 to 1) by submitting test reports and engineering drawings to the EPA. Click here for the list of EPA Exempt Wood Heating Appliances.

NOTE:  If you are purchasing a wood burning stove or insert:

Wood Burning Devices sold and installed in Washington must be tested and labeled not too exceed Washington state emissions limits, which are 4.5 grams/hour for non-catalytic and 2.5 grams/hour for catalytic. A permit from your city/county permit department must be obtained for installation.