Outdoor Boilers, other new regs, etc.

[webbie]

Here is part of a newsletter sent recently by our Trade Org......this gives some idea of the stuff that is constantly happening on a nationwide and regional basis. I'll have to find out more about this "voluntary" program for OWB. Why do I get the feeling that is means "voluntarily give money to the trade org for membership" or something like that? Oh, perhaps I am wrong!

---------------start------------------
Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association · 1901 North Moore Street, Suite 600
Arlington, VA 22209 · ph 703-522-0086 · www.hpba.org · [email protected]

February 2007 Vol. 10, No. 2

Outdoor Wood Furnace Partnership

A voluntary new partnership has just been finalized between the U.S. EPA and HPBA regarding outdoor wood-fired furnaces. The Phase I Partnership Agreement, announced January, 29, is an Incentivized Voluntary Program (IVP) to reduce emissions. The partnership is a result of more than two years of collaboration between EPA, HPBA, outdoor wood furnace manufacturers, state regulators, testing labs and other stakeholders. This effort, combined with proper installation and best burn practices, will provide consumers with cleaner heating appliances.

Calif.'s South Coast Air District Proposed Rule

The largest U.S. local air district, which covers the greater Los Angeles area, has recently released the first draft of their proposed rule regulating the sale and usage of woodburning fireplaces and stoves. On January 18, HPBA-Pacific's Steve Pulone and Kaity VanAmersfort joined John Crouch at a working group meeting in Diamond Bar, CA, to offer initial comments. The district contemplates the rule becoming effective in just 6 months following adoption this spring. The effect of the rule would eliminate all open fireplaces in new construction in the LA market. HPBA and HPBA-Pacific will file extensive comments. For information contact Steve Pulone, <mailto:[email protected]>[email protected], or John Crouch, <mailto:[email protected]>[email protected].

New Calif. Energy Commission Regs

On Jan. 23, HPBA Government Affairs Committee representatives met with California Energy Commission staff to discuss issues pertaining to the draft California 2008 Residential Energy Code and the use of wood and gas products. The issues discussed included prohibiting new appliances with standing pilot lights, distinguishing decorative from heater-rated products when developing minimal efficiency requirements, the use of EPA-certified woodburning fireplaces and the benefits of zone heating. For more information, contact John Crouch, <mailto:[email protected]>[email protected] or Tom Stroud, <mailto:[email protected]>[email protected]

 

[elkimmeg]

MY LOCAL BOARD OF HEALTH HAS BAN ANY FUTURE OWB
The set backs requirements eliminated all but two possible land owners from installing them.

Even the New EPA regs are not scheduled to be in place till some time in 2008 governing them

BTW I no longer have any jusisdiction over their installations that is exclusively with the board of health. or their agent They still could appoint me to do the inspections but why there can only be 2 more

 

[slowzuki]

An opportunity for indoor boiler makers that are listed to produce some outdoor models and try for some EPA testing. Many advanced indoor models have numbers that would easily meet EPA targets.

 

[webbie]

They would have to adjust the EPA regs, since central heat uses more wood, therefore more allowable emissions. Also, there is no need for central heat to be able to turn down as low as regular stove - which have to burn at 10,000 BTU and still clean.

I will look into the Voluntary thing and report back with the actual numbers...if any!

 

[sstanis]

From what I read with the EPA statement is that it is voluntary and the manufacturers will still be able to manufacture and sell the older styles. Plus there is also a provision that state and local gov't can set higher standards. I guess which all is good. OWB are what they are; however, they still have a place in the proper setting. Lets be honest a person who lives on large farm or large peice of land is harming no one other than himself by burning one, other than if he places it close to others or next to a road. so there it has its place. I have read the stories and the letter that the now-governor of NY, Elliot spitzer, sent to the manufacturers. I think part of the blame has to do with the people who purchase them and use them where they are not supposed to be used. There was this landscaper from Suffolk county, long island who purchased one and smoked out everyone of his neighbors. The population density of Suffolk county is no place for an OWB. The article even went on to say the guy ws burning 3ft green unsplit rounds. I mean at least do your negihbors a favor and run them through a splitter and at least let them dry somewhat. But conversly, the was another article about a man with a large farm who used his OWB for yrs bothering no one. The owner of the adjacent farm sold and the land subdivided for a development. So the new encroached houses all started to complain about the smoke. But hey that guy was there 1st. Its like putting up a new house next to a coal plant and then complaining about the emissions--caveat emptor. So, in short, hopfeully, the diff trade organizations, manufacturers, state gov't and local gov't can get together and draft plans so OWB can be used where applicable.

 

[elkimmeg]

Local Boards of health can set their own standards in MA. plus all those that already have do not have to repeal them.

Once it leaves the hands of the International Building codes and is governed by local boards of health the EPA regs are a moot point the boards of health must meet minium code but can impose stricter code than miniun if they so desire. Let's face it if there were no complaints and the OWB's were clean burning there would not be a big issue. When they smoke up entire neighborhoods air quality laws are passed. For years there has been an issue that should have been addressed well before being mandated. These manufactures have had their head stuck in sand. Did you know the board of health can also have existing ones removed?

 

[slowzuki]

Green unsplit rounds or not, most OWB's have huge opportunities to clean up their acts. Most of the ones I've looked at can't burn cleanly even with seasoned wood. The bulk of OWB are fires in a cold water cooled metal box, no fire brick, no secondary combustion (important since they have huge fire boxes and long burn times producing an extremely fuel rich burn). It makes sense to impose some guidelines on their emissions, the designs are 1800's era combustion technology, we have so much free knowledge gained since then that could be applied to them at little to no cost.

 

[webbie]

Comparing it to other devices, can John Deere sell dirty tractors just because someone is using it on a large farm? Probably not. Or can they sell a dirty and inefficient oil or gas heater just because a house is not near others - definitely not.

This sounds like a sell-out to me! I will research further. Elk is right, if the industry does not handle it, the local boards of health will.

If a "loophole" is allowed to exist, it should be limited to "X" percentage of the units which a manufacturers makes or sells - or by numbers. For instance, you can sell up to 50 units/year of a stove model if it is not EPA approved.....

Remember that these things are being sold by the thousands. Probably 10's of thousands.

 

[webbie]

This is the main page to EPA links:
(broken link removed to http://www.epa.gov/woodheaters/what_epa_doing.htm)

BTW, the current stats show the following pollution levels:

161 grams per hour - existing units (this is the same as 50 woodstoves)

The EPA has talked about two levels of future cleanliness:
Phase I = about 43 Grams per hour
Phase II - about 15 Grams per hour

But this means nothing if not enforced or passed. The EPA says:
"This program will achieve emission reductions and protect public health sooner than a federal rule."

I think you and I can read through that one......

BUT, what might happen is that states, regions or towns will start ONLY allowing units which meet the regulations.

Surely a step in the right direction, but I think perhaps a cop-out in making every jurisdiction in the USA have to set their own code.

 

[sstanis]

I agree with everyone, the industry has kicked itself in the butt. guess they all became complacent (sic). Shame, bc, you have companies like TARM and a few others that really set the standard.

 

[Roospike]

Good thread , good input .......... Love the new Avatar Craig ******* :lol: