Wood stoves and fireplace inserts have been required to be certified by the EPA since 1992. The Oregon DEQ had a certification program starting even earlier in the 1980s. Therefore, if you have a wood stove that precedes these dates it is likely to be uncertified.
Senate Bill 102, the “Heat Smart for Clean Air” bill, was passed in the Oregon Legislature in 2009. The law went into effect on August 1, 2010. This bill states that when selling a home in Oregon you are required by state law to remove, destroy, and dispose of all uncertified wood stoves and fireplace inserts.
This bill was passed to help prevent unnecessary air pollution. Uncertified wood stoves burn approximately 70% dirtier than certified stoves, based on data from the DEQ. Smoke from uncertified wood stoves pose a health hazard as they can exceed federal air quality health standards for particulate matter. Particulate matter from wood stoves is extremely small, about 30 times smaller than the diameter of human hair. When inhaled, particulate matter can get caught in the lungs and lead to respiratory disease, heart problems, asthma attacks, and other serious illnesses. Additionally, wood stove smoke contains organic compounds known to cause cancer.
Portland has one of the highest population densities in the state and often struggles with air quality issues. In 2014, a DEQ survey found that 32% of Portland residents burned wood to heat their homes. Of that 32% more than half of the people surveyed were using uncertified wood stoves.
Certified wood stoves and fireplace inserts require less wood because they burn hotter, they have pollution control systems built in, and have been tested to meet particulate emission standards.
Wood stoves and inserts are certified by a third party when they are manufactured. An existing wood stove cannot get certified after it has been manufactured.
Certified wood stoves will have a metal DEQ, or US EPA label attached to the back side of the unit. These labels can sometimes be confused with UL (Underwriters Laboratory) safety labels, which do not certify a wood stove or insert. Sometimes the back of a stove or insert is inaccessible. You can look up the model number of your stove on the EPA’s certified woodstove list. You can also try to get in touch with the manufacturer.
If is very important to be aware of any uncertified wood stoves or wood burning fireplace inserts when buying a home. In addition to saving money on disposal of the unit, you will be required to make an upgrade that helps the environment.