EPA's Proposed Air Rules for Residential New Wood Heaters
Summary of Proposed Requirements for Masonry Heaters
On Jan. 3, 2014, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed updates to its air
emissions standards for new residential wood heaters that would strengthen the requirements
for new woodstoves, while establishing air standards for several other types of wood heaters
for the first time, including masonry heaters. The proposed standards would apply only to new
wood heaters and will not affect wood heaters already in use in homes or currently for sale
today.
PROPOSED REQUIREMENTS FOR NEW MASONRY HEATERS
•	A masonry heater is a solid-fueled home heating device that is built or assembled on site. A
masonry heater consists of a firebox, and numerous heat exchange channels. Masonry
heaters stores heat from short, rapidly-burning fires and slowly release the heat throughout
the day. Masonry heaters currently do not require EPA certification.
•	EPA's proposed updates would limit the amount of particle pollution, also known as
particulate matter (PM) from newly constructed masonry heaters. The proposed limits also
are expected to reduce emissions of other pollutants found in wood smoke.
•	The proposed rule would limit PM emissions limit for new masonry heaters to 0.32 pounds
of PM per million British thermal units (Btu). This limit is based on test data for typical
masonry heaters that perform well. Manufacturers would have to meet the emissions limit
by one of two deadlines, depending on the number of heaters they build in a year.
Annual Production
Level
Proposed PM Emissions
Limit
Compliance Deadline
15 heaters or more
0.32 pounds per million
BTU heat output
60 days after final rule
is published in the
Federal Register.
Fewer than 15 heaters
0.32 pounds per million
BTU heat output
5 years after the
effective date of the
final rule

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DETERMINING COMPLIANCE
•	Each masonry heater model line subject to the proposed rules would be required to
demonstrate compliance through performance testing, similar to requirements of the
current wood stove regulations.
•	EPA is seeking comment on the specific test method to be used for masonry heaters.
In addition, the agency is proposing to allow a computer simulation showing how masonry
heater models perform instead of a performance test. Because the heaters are built on-site,
testing each individual heater could be difficult.
•	To strengthen compliance assurance and consumer confidence, the proposed standards
would require testing and certification by internationally accredited laboratories and
certification bodies. Manufacturers using computer simulations would have to use models
that meet internationally accepted design criteria. EPA would also review the tests and
make the results available to consumers on a website.
•	For small custom-unit manufacturers, however, EPA is proposing that the initial certification
is sufficient to ensure emission limits are met. No further quality control would be required
for these units, because each is unique, and each would have to be certified by the
manufacturer.
For additional information
•	For additional information about today's proposal, including instructions on submitting
comments, see http://go.usa.gov/Zp6B.

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