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 ------- 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. ------- |