Buying a new wood stove is a major purchase. For many people in Washington, that stove will provide much of their heat in the winter months.
But are they getting what they paid for?
According to the Washington State Department of Ecology, Washington’s performance standards for wood stoves are out of date. New federal standards are stronger — meaning less air pollution and higher performing stoves.
Those tough federal standards, though, come with a caveat: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s own analysis shows that their stove testing and certification program doesn’t measure up.
Ecology asked the Washington State Legislature to pass a measure to address this problem. Senate Bill 5174 (SB 5174) aligns state standards with federal standards and gives Ecology the authority to double check whether stoves really meet the standards. That way, the department can make sure and consumers are getting the product they expect, a wood stove that’s protective of their health and the environment. This is no small thing: Smoke from wood stoves is the largest source of wintertime air pollution, Ecology says.
Unfortunately, there has been some confusion about what that proposed legislation would really do, the department says.
What the bill does
Put simply, the bill helps protect air quality from pollution caused by under-performing wood stoves. It gives consumers confidence when they buy a new wood stove that it meets national standards and performs as it should. Properly certified wood stoves can protect the hearts and lungs of all Washingtonians, especially those people who are most vulnerable to smoke.
Importantly, nothing in the bill would ban the use of wood stoves — or require homeowners to replace an existing wood stove. The legislation would only apply to new wood stoves sold in Washington.
Aligning with federal air quality standards
Federal standards for wood stoves were updated several years ago, in the interest of public health. Manufacturers have largely met this challenge and support Washington’s state standards aligning with federal levels. Consistency benefits consumers, retailers, manufacturers, and public health.
Newer standards help with air quality
Wood can be an inexpensive form of heat and many people simply enjoy a nice fire.
The downside of burning wood is that smoke can contribute to air pollution, especially during temperature inversions that are common in winter. These inversions trap pollution close to the ground. With prolonged exposure to this kind of pollution, community members can experience heart and lung issues.
A modern, clean-burning wood stove produces far less smoke and pollution than an older, less advanced model. Less pollution means fewer burn bans and better health for the community.
Testing and certifying wood stoves
Several states and even the federal government itself have found that EPA is not properly certifying wood stoves. This means that consumers looking to buy a new wood burning device won’t know for sure if it truly meets federal standards — and some may be buying stoves that aren’t actually protective of human health.
EPA’s Office of the Inspector General (OIG) has reported that the agency’s certification was carried out inappropriately. The OIG says the problem “…puts human health and the environment at risk…” because of the potential for increased pollution.
Washington, in partnership with other states, has been working with EPA to improve their certification program, but the progress is slow and action is needed, Ecology says.
SB 5174 would give Washington the ability to review documents submitted to EPA and certify for itself that federal standards have indeed been met. It would give Ecology authority to review test results and make sure customers are getting what they pay for.
Does not force homeowners to remove a wood stove or fireplace
To emphasize the facts of the matter: The proposed bill does not force families to replace existing wood stoves, fireplaces, or other sources of heat. It does not ban the sale of new wood stoves. It does not force a change-out of existing home heating devices, nor does it cart off your bundle of firewood.
However, if someone is ready to upgrade their wood burning device, we may help fund that purchase through replacement and turn-in programs. Homeowners can apply for grants through local clean air agencies and our regional offices. This bill will make sure that state grant funding goes only to wood stoves that are in compliance with federal standards.
Manufacturers not required to pay for new tests
The proposed legislation does not require manufacturers to retest products they have already submitted for EPA review unless major errors are found. Ecology says the function of SB 5174 is to make sure the department can review the reports already submitted to EPA and confirm standards were met.
Ecology will review testing reports submitted to EPA for certification. If deficiencies are found, the department will work with the manufacturer to address any issues.
Existing stock can still be sold
Finally, if an erroneously certified wood burning device is discovered, retailers do not have to immediately remove that product from their store shelves. SB 5174 allows a retailer a full year from the time of discovery to sell that product before any restrictions would take effect.
SB 5174 also protects consumers who wish to buy a used certified heating device. Once aligned with the federal standard, an older, less-efficient stove for sale could not be labeled as certified, even if it had previously met state emissions standards. Buying a used, uncertified wood stove is illegal in Washington.
You know it all sounded reasonable then we got to the government assistance to replace or renew, and that our own state wants to do its own testing = more tax expense for citizens these extra nickel and diming government growing programs cost us a lot and few benefit if any for the great expense. Or, breaks for the haves and higher taxes for the poor. I would put this in the government waste category as unnecessary spending.
Mr Fairchild, any reduction in the pollution of the air is a win for all citizens that have to breathe it. Many poor people along with rich people and middle income people have asthma. All these people will benefit from cleaner air no matter who puts in the cleaner burning stove. And poor folks will be able to benefit from a subsidy as well to help air quality inside their own home if they burn wood. Of course, I hate it when my neighbors burn wood. I can’t open my windows or go outside. Their freedom to burn restricts my freedom to enjoy my own property. I would be grateful if their pollution was reduced.
Our air is already way cleaner than it used to be we already have regulations around wood fireplaces a poor person isn’t buying a new stove regardless of rebates they use what they have until it doesn’t work anymore and then maybe repair it or just start using space heaters they don’t have thousands to replace even with rebates and don’t have credit to purchase one either. Plus they are being disproportionally taxed as it is to pay for all this government wasteful spending.
Mr Fairchild, I applaud your concerns about tax efficiency and curbing government waste but in this instance I believe you have it all wrong. The cost of medical care for patients with chronic respiratory disease who have episodes of severe disease as a result of spikes in air pollution far exceeds the cost of testing of wood stoves to determine their efficiency. If you had suffered from chronic asthma yourself I think you would see this program as a excellent use of government resources.
Patrick I just argue we already have restive rules and regulations around these stoves I don’t think more regulation and tax subsidies will make much if any difference except a greater burden on the taxpayers wood for heat in Washington is less than 3% of the total heating fuel used to heat homes.
It’s notable that the problems with the testing of these wood burning stoves were brought to light by the EPA’s own inspector general who has since been illegally fired by Trump.
I put a wood stove for sale on Craigslist 10 years ago and was contacted by the Federal government notifying me it was against the law. I applaud DJT and his efforts to shrink government and target waste fraud and abuse. WA should follow his lead.
If air pollution is what they are crying about, maybe they should lose k at the slash burns that the private land collectors burn after clear cutting the trees. They don’t even allow wood cutting for wood stoves users. They pile perfectly good firewood that they cannot sell for lumber. These are many many piles per cut.
Let’s get down to where the real problems come from. Leave the people alone that are trying to stay warm in winter.
This waste of good fire wood is a big pollution problem. Hit those large timber land owners and make them pay for burning their slash piles. Maybe they would give up some of that wood easier for people to stay warm.
They could save on the amount of wood they would have to pay to burn and maybe even get a tax credit for allowing firewood cutting. But I am afraid the greed will win over.
Driving down the hill this morning I was treated to a crystal clear view of the sound and mountains certainly the environmental regulations over the years has been a good thing. Back to this rebates and testing of wood stoves as I noted above less than 3% of of the fuel used for heating of homes comes from wood. Considering the low use and the already strict regulations this spending isn’t just wasteful it is abuse of taxpayer funds.