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EPA has two voluntary programs to encourage manufacturers to improve air quality through developing and distributing cleaner, more efficient wood-burning appliances. This includes:

*The wood-burning appliances that are "qualified" under the EPA's Voluntary Hydronic Heater and Fireplace Programs are not "certified" per EPA's Wood Heater New Source Performance Standard. Contact your state or local air quality agency for clarification on the type of wood-burning appliances, if any, that may legally be installed in your area.

You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader, available as a free download, to view some of the files on this page. See EPA's PDF page to learn more about PDF, and for a link to the free Acrobat Reader.

EPA Hydronic Heaters Program

The voluntary EPA hydronic heaters program was first launched in 2007, providing a process for manufactures to demonstrate that their models are 70 percent cleaner than unqualified models. The goal of the program is to achieve emission reductions and protect public health sooner than a federal rule. Today the program has evolved to Phase 2, and EPA-qualified units will be up to 90 percent cleaner than older unqualified units. Under Phase 2, new models must emit no more than 0.32 pounds of particle pollution per million BTUs of heat output. The models are tested by an EPA-accredited third-party laboratory, and EPA verifies that the test results meet the Program levels.

Information for Manufacturers

How a manufacturer can participate in the Hydronic Heater Program:

  • sign a Partnership Agreement (PDF) (49pp, 408k) with EPA to bring cleaner hydronic heater models to the market
  • use a descriptive hang tag (PDF) (1pg, 213k) on heaters that provides information on smoke emissions for particular hydronic heater models
  • display information about the voluntary program in hydronic heater sales areas
  • include text in each qualifying owner’s manual on proper operation and maintenance of the hydronic heater including how and what to burn
  • submit sales and test data on improved hydronic heaters

In order to assist the manufacturing partners, EPA provides program support to encourage the purchase of cleaner, more efficient hydronic heater models. As part of the program, EPA provides:

  • text labels that identify which models meet EPA program requirements
  • outreach and educational materials

If you are a manufacturer and would like to participate in the program, email aldridge.amanda@epa.gov.

EPA Wood-Burning Fireplace Program

The wood-burning fireplace program encourages the development and sale of lower-emitting wood-burning fireplaces. EPA's fireplace program covers new masonry and prefabricated (low-mass) fireplaces and retrofit devices for existing fireplaces. Fireplace retrofits can reduce pollution up to 70% if installed properly.

*The wood-burning appliances that are "qualified" under the EPA's Voluntary Fireplace and Hydronic Heater Programs are not "certified" per EPA's Wood Heater New Source Performance Standard. Contact your state or local air quality agency for clarification on the type of wood-burning appliances, if any, that may legally be installed in your area.

Information for Manufacturers

How a manufacturer can participate in the Wood-burning Fireplace Program:

  • sign a Partnership Agreement (PDF) (28pp, 590kb) with EPA to bring cleaner fireplace models and retrofit devices to the market
  • use a descriptive hang tag on fireplaces and retrofit devices that provides information on smoke emissions
  • display information about the voluntary program in fireplace  sales areas
  • include text in each qualifying owner’s manual on proper operation and maintenance of the fireplace or retrofit device, including how and what to burn
  • submit sales and test data on improved fireplaces

In order to assist the manufacturing partners, EPA provides program support to encourage the purchase of cleaner, more efficient fireplaces. As part of the program, EPA provides:

  • text labels that identify which models meet EPA program requirements
  • outreach and educational materials

If you are a manufacturer and would like to participate in the program, email braverman.tom@epa.gov.

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