Volume 105

Green Heat News
May 2018
Focus on the EPA
The EPA is “taking steps to provide relief to wood heater manufacturers and retailers” according to a statement released by the EPA. The EPA is expected to issue a proposed rule this spring that would extend NSPS deadlines by 3 years and then issue a second proposed rule in the summer that could potentially weaken parts of the regulations enacted under the Obama administration.

“The EPA plans to issue a proposed new rule to address industry concerns about residential wood heater emissions this spring for public comment." Central Boiler says "extra time is really important" for adequate testing by manufacturers.

The EPA finally began showing consumers which stoves are 2020 compliant. There are 68 compliant models so far, with more being added each month. 36 are pellet stoves, 25 are non-cats and 7 are catalytic stoves - all below 2 grams an hour. They are now marked in green on the list of EPA certified stoves.

Its been 3 years since the EPA required stoves to test for and report their efficiency. But their own website still doesn't tell consumers that they have done this. Efficiency motivates consumers more than emissions and helping consumers find and choose stoves that have actual, verified efficiencies should be a higher priority.

The EPA has declared using biomass from managed forests for energy production is carbon neutral. However, this is a policy determination by Scott Pruitt's EPA, not a scientific determination and is all about using biomass for electricity and larger installations. AGH believes biomass for heating has a much lower carbon impact than using it for electricity. 


4th Wood Stove Design Challenge
In 2016 the Alliance for Green Heat held the Pellet Stove Design Challenge to test, study, and assess high-efficiency, low-emission pellet stoves. The goal of this study was to assess the repeatability of a single certification test method for pellet stoves and the emission data used for certification purposes. Overall, the repeatability of the test method was favorable with variation in the overall burn rate (kg/h).

Many thanks to our newest Stove Design Challenge sponsors Lignetics, the Catalytic Stove Caucus and Testo. Lignetics in the largest manufacturer of heating pellets in the US, and will also be supplying the pellets and densified fire logs for the event. The Catalytic Stove Caucus is supporting the innovative uses of catalysts and Testo is donating handheld testing equipment. Thanks to our other sponsors - NFI, CSIA, the Bioenergy Technology Office at the DOE, Osprey Foundation, the Masonry Heater Association, HPBA, Myren Labs, and Schott Robax glass and others.


AGH Projects & Activities
This photo essay shows the variety of tiny stoves that are used in tiny homes, boats, vans and yurts. The paradox for small spaces is that they heat up quick but the stove also goes out quick, making for cold mornings. Could there be a miniature masonry heater?

AGH Advisory Board member Scott Nichols, who runs Tarm Biomass in Orford, NH, writes about the overselling of heat pumps.  "The average annual energy cost savings was approximately $200.00 per heat pump, significantly less than had been assumed before the study."


Focus on Change-outs
A southern Vermont change out program becomes the 5th to require that stoves have a verified, listed efficiency to be eligible. This program requires stoves to be at least 70% and no more than 2 grams of smoke per hour. The program ends on June 30, 2018.
Focus on Firewood
Idaho is rolling out the dry wood provider certification program. The Idaho DEQ can come and inspect a firewood provider’s stock to see if it meets recommended moisture levels. If it does, the firewood retailer will receive a certification that shows the wood is up to code.
Focus on Air Quality
NY State inspectors tested the boiler in response to complaints of excessive smoke. State rules limit smoke to 20 percent opacity. Blair's outdoor wood boiler tested at 73 percent opacity. Rules now require that boilers be installed 100 feet to 1,000 feet from the nearest property boundary line.

Its important to know that the placement of air quality sensors plays a big role in defining what sort of data decisions are made with.

San Lorenzo Valley is a mountain community with a history of logging. No one knows exactly how many wood stoves are in use. Estimates range from 6,000 to 20,000. For some, electric heat is too expensive. Some opt for cheaper wood that isn’t dry and others close their damper too far at night.



Black Carbon, Climate Change, and Wood Heat
Wood heating can have significant warming effect from black soot deposited on snow, but it also causes significant cooling, "which is encouraging," says Anders Arvesen, a Norwegian researcher. Nevertheless, "it's still better to heat with wood than to burn fossil fuels" especially with a new, certified stove.





State News
AK: Sixteen military and municipal leaders met to discuss ideas for reducing smoke pollution. State air quality officials warned the leaders that households and the five power plants face new requirements to reduce particulate pollution PM2.5.

IN: Yearly chimney inspections are recommended but are not required anywhere in the US as it is in some European countries. We think incentives from insurance companies to have your chimney cleaned annually should be explored.

ME: Maine announces a new Wood Energy Program with initial funding of $766,000. Funding specifically targets, "businesses, municipalities, educational institutions, and nonprofit entities in the State for the installation of new wood-derived thermal energy or cogeneration projects".

UT: A very fair, well done article on complications of tracking down wood smoke complaints.

CANADA : This article that makes the case against wood heat is good reading for everyone who heats with wood. We disagree with their analysis of carbon issues, but heat pumps can be good options in areas with excessive wood smoke.
















Best of April Facebook
This stove has a damaged outer cover possibly due to cracked and missing fire bricks. 

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Conferences & Webinars
Carlton, MN, May 1-3, 2018
This event brings together leaders in the energy industry to discuss and formulate strategies for expanding the use of biomass for thermal and combined heat and power (CHP) in the Midwest.

Morgantown, WV, May 1, 2018
Underutilized wood, sometimes called “low use wood,” can be used for improving forest management in the eastern United States and an opportunity for businesses.
Denmark, May 14-18, 2018
The EUBCE brings together industry, scientists, research labs and agencies, and always has a focus on biomass thermal.

Saratoga Springs, NY, June 18-19, 2018
This workshops explore how the Northeast region can work collaboratively to accelerate the adoption of renewable heating and cooling technologies.

Frankenmuth, MI, June 20, 2018
Morning and afternoon sessions focus on the basics and challenges of producing and marketing firewood and the technical aspects of firewood production.

Myrtle Beach, SC, June 24-26, 2018
The PFI Annual Conference highlights the various applications of densified biomass, as well as trends and best practices within the densified biomass industry.

Durham, NC, June 26-27, 2018
On the rapid adoption and technological advances of new air sensor technologies, how well they perform and how lower-cost technologies can be used for certain non-regulatory applications.   

Westport, MA, July 15-18, 2018
The annual gathering of the antique wood stove community showcases rare old stoves and those who know and admire them.

Philadelphia, PA, July 22-27, 2018
Join us in Philadelphia to meet with the international indoor air and climate community in an exciting week of networking, exchange of ideas, and discussion of the latest indoor air science.

Davis, CA, September 10, 2018
ASIC brings together stakeholders from academia, government, and communities to promote and advance air pollution sensors.

Berlin, Germany, October 10-11, 2018
The International Biomass Congress & Expo brings together leading producers, suppliers, regulators and others over a two day period to address issues relating to the biomass sector.

Burlington, VT, October 18-19, 2018
REV2017 brought together leaders and experts from throughout the region to address the challenges and opportunities ahead.

Washington DC, November 9-13, 2018
The 2018 event is free and open to the public and features a competition on the best automated wood stove and thermoelectric wood stoves. It includes rigorous testing and assessment.













































Spotlight on Misleading Advertisements
Sales of uncertified wood stoves are still common on the internet three years after regulations went into effect that required all wood stoves to be certified if they advertised that they could burn wood. One new uncertified product that is now available on many websites, including Amazon, Houzz and others is Hi Flame’s Elena. The Chinese company exhibited at the HPBA Expo in 2015 and 2016 and is distributed by Olymberyl America, based in Cheyenne Wyoming.

Uncertified stoves made by US Stove are the most common ones that have remained on the market over the last 3 years. For the first several years, they were advertised as wood stoves, and now they are more commonly say they “will burn either wood or coal” like this ad from Houzz. Other advertisements for uncertified US Stove appliances do not mention any fuel.

Messick stove shop in New Jersey not only sells a uncertifed wood and coal stove made by DS Stove but also shows retailers and consumers how to change a label to say “coal only” but reassures readers that the stove “can still burn wood.”
Last Laughs
Only in Maine would they have some antiquated basketball rule that involves wood stoves.
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