Will new EPA searchable stove database help consumers?

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John Ackerly

Burning Hunk
There are lots of concerns about the new EPA searchable database that is replacing their old excel spread sheet list of certified stoves. With this one, you can search out those stoves designed for and tested with cordwood, for example. You can also sort by grams per hour, CO per minute, efficiency, 2020 compliance, etc. Overall, we think its a great tool for consumers - and stove nerds of course - but its also riddled with errors, and could lead to some unintended results. Would love to hear what all of you think about it. We are preparing a formal list of suggested changes for the EPA and happy to include suggestions that folks on this list have. We started laying out some details in this blog:

https://forgreenheat.blogspot.com/2019/05/epa-releases-long-awaited-searchable.html
 
It has "Hybrid" listed as a classification of wood stove, yet none of the hybrids are identified so nothing comes up when one searches on that category. Also, it would be great if they included the actual firebox size as reported by the testing labs. This number has been exaggerated by some mfgs. which is confusing to the purchaser. I was surprised to see wood chips listed as a fuel option. It's not a common fuel.
 
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Yeah, I saw that the other day. I didn't try to wade through it but the first thing I thought was "Damn, I shoulda saved the previous chart on my computer." Seems like it would be much easier to just scroll up and down the page to find and compare stoves. I saved the 2016 archive a while back, but the most recent chart with the green highlights had other info not included in the older archive version.
 
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I agree. I still want the spreadsheet for quick comparison and offline usage. This appears to expose the spreadsheet data online for those that don't have Excel to read the spreadsheet which is also good. One can search on just 2020 qualified stoves if the desire is to see the green highlighted stoves.
 
Is this a surprise to anyone else?
 

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Also the Jotul F500 V3 is listed as a non cat
 
I played with the site a few ago. I would not want it to lead to the disappearance of the excel spread sheet.
 
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Like all things created by or for our benevolent overlords it is riddled with faults and was no doubt made by the lowest bidder.
 
Yeah, I saw that the other day. I didn't try to wade through it but the first thing I thought was "Damn, I shoulda saved the previous chart on my computer.".

Here is the last excel spread sheet of certified stoves. AGH downloaded and filed every one since 2009, and we found a few that are even older. We also keep state lists, from CO, WA, OR, etc. that were used either for regulatory purposes, or incentive programs. Not much use for them, but every once and while we use them for something.

The loss of the highlighted addition of new stoves seems like the biggest loss of the excel sheets. I'll try to ask Rafael, and his boss, Robert Lichinsky if they can keep that going. John
 
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I like the database, but I also like the spreadsheet view. It's easier to view product groups with them. Other advantages of the spreadsheet are that one can view them offline and create custom searches. Hope they keep them available.
 
Here is the last excel spread sheet of certified stoves. AGH downloaded and filed every one since 2009
Thanks...but the link didn't work for me. I looked on the AGH website as well, but had no luck finding it.
To view their most recent spreadsheets, I remember I had to get a viewer for the .XLSX file.
If they keep the spreadsheet, great. Thanks for your continued efforts in this field! :)