December 2024 Green Heat News

Volume 156

Green Heat News

A free monthly news service on renewable,

low carbon heating issues

December 2024

Featured

Industry split three ways on IRS proposal to use EPA database to verify 75% efficiency

Industry is split three ways on question of tax credit eligibility. Some manufacturers who make lower efficiency stoves (e.g. US Stoves) argued for the stricter definition of efficiency, while those making higher efficiency stoves (Hearth & Home Technologies) argued for a more lenient definition. A group of states made a confusing comment on carbon life cycles.

AGH Webinar: Causes and Solutions to Indoor Smoke from Wood and Pellet Stoves

January 14, 2025, from 1:00 to 2:30 PM (ET), join us as our panelists discuss the most common reasons that smoke comes from wood and pellet stoves, how to diagnose it, and the best ways to fix it. Register here.

Firewood Bank Assistance Program funding depleted

The 2024-2025 funding cycle of the Firewood Bank Assistance Program wrapped up its third year. This cycle, 83 firewood bank programs will receive $875,000 and will distribute 14,114 cords of firewood, serving 15,053 homes this year. The next cycle will likely open in late spring, 2025.

Forest Service funds help Indigenous families in the Mountain West heat their homes

The nonprofit, Wood for Life, is receiving $225,000 to remove logs from forests in Idaho, Colorado and Wyoming that will produce firewood for tribes, including Shoshone Bannock, Shoshone Paiute, Eastern Shoshone, Northern Arapaho, Ute Mountain Ute, and Navajo Nation.

Bordeaux, France to spend €10m helping residents replace old heating systems

Authorities aim to replace 20,000 old gas boilers and wood stoves by 2030, focusing first on lower income homes. Some cities have banned fireplaces while allowing modern wood stoves with the "Flamme verte’ energy efficiency rating. Fireplaces, favored by wealthier homes, are exempt in Paris.

It's GivingTuesday: Please donate to AGH

AGH is unique in the wood and pellet heating community: we are independent and non-partisan and provide news and analysis that you don't find elsewhere. Please donate this year so we can keep up this newsletter and our advocacy for cleaner and more efficient wood and pellet heating.

Transition Appointments

EPA: Trump picks ally Lee Zeldin as EPA chief and vows to roll back rules

"Zeldin, who has a score of just 14% from the League of Conservation Voters on his votes on environmental issues in his 15 years in Congress, is expected to oversee an overhaul of the EPA that will rival anything seen since its foundation in 1970."

DOE: Trump picks fossil fuel exec as energy secretary; creates new White House energy council

"Trump has selected Chris Wright, a campaign donor and fossil fuel executive, to serve as energy secretary. North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, his choice to head the Interior Department, will also lead a newly created National Energy Council that will seek to establish U.S. “energy dominance” around the world."

USDA: Trump USDA pick puzzles ag groups

"Trump announced that he’d nominate Brooke Rollins to be USDA head in a surprise pick this weekend. 'She was the last person standing at Mar-a-Lago,' said a person familiar with the transition conversations who was granted anonymity to speak candidly."

Transition Issues

Project 2025: eliminate weatherization assistance

"Federal weatherization funding is critical for cutting costs and improving health for low-income households. President Trump tried, unsuccessfully, to end it. A prominent policy blueprint now calls for canceling it and other efficiency programs."

Trump has threatened energy efficiency, weatherization programs. What happens now?

"Policies advanced by the right-wing Heritage Foundation has called for eliminating the DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) and appliance standards completely."

B.C. premier says U.S. tariffs would be 'devastating' for forest industry

In addition to the forestry sector, the wood stove industry would be greatly impacted by a possible 25% tariff on Canadian-made goods. A significant tariff may never come about, but if it did, a broad range of prominent wood stove brands made in Canada would quickly be much more expensive, including those from SBI brands - Drolet, Osburn, etc. - and from Pacific Energy and Blaze King.

Industry

Plant fire hits at peak season

"It was the worst possible time for a fire at Lamppa Manufacturing in Tower. With the heating season here, orders for sauna stoves and wood furnaces were running strong and production had kicked into high gear."

2025 International Firewood Expo

The International Firewood Expo brings people from the US and other countries to see some of the best firewood equipment in the industry. It will be held in Cortland, Ohio from May 2-3, 2025.

Indoor Air Quality

Emissions from wood burning stoves

Read about one person's experience using a Plantower PMS5003 sensor to measure air quality. They found that activities like making toast, using the oven, or burning incense produced higher PM2.5 μg/m3 readings than using their wood stove.

Consumer Resources

3 reasons I switched to an electric chainsaw for cutting firewood (and everything else)

Reasons include: safety, less sound, and less maintenance. They found that the biggest downside to an electric chainsaw was the battery. They recommend having an extra battery if you're planning on processing wood all day.

Heat Pump Technology

Maximum comfort in sub-zero temperatures: meet Bosch's IDS Ultra Cold Climate Heat Pump

The IDS Ultra qualifies for federal tax credits and state rebates as an Energy Star V6.1 Cold Climate certified product. The IDS Ultra is the first cold climate heat pump to market that meets these criteria from the DOE Challenge.

AI-powered air source heat pump from Wondrwall

"Sensor technology within the Wondrwall system allows the HEMS to learn the thermal performance of the home, typical energy use, and user preferences in order to adapt flow temperatures and heating schedules based on occupancy and user behaviours."

State News

State deadline to replace non-complying wood stoves

AK: "Fairbanksans face a looming Dec. 31 state deadline to remove outdated solid fuel-burning devices such as wood stoves or hydronic heaters that no longer meet Environmental Protection Agency certification measures."

Check Before You Burn program begins November 1

CA: "Under the Check Before You Burn program, residents are educated about the hazards of wood smoke and prohibited from burning firewood in a fireplace, stove, or outdoor fire pit for 24-hours on No-Burn Days."

Valley residents urged to curb wood burning

CA: Valley residents who own EPA-certified wood and pellet fuel devices may register them with the District to burn on “No Burning Unless Registered” days. Residents with access to piped natural gas may receive up to $2,000 for a natural gas insert or freestanding gas stove.

Volunteers to set up free firewood banks across Maine

ME: Starting and operating a wood bank can be expensive and time-consuming in a period when service groups everywhere struggle to find volunteers and raise funds. One answer to that is a new network that shares costs and resources.

Are high efficiency stoves the solution to Keene’s wood smoke pollution?

NH: The age old age question: what's cheaper - changing out old wood stoves or trying to educating wood burners on proper wood storage and burning practices?

New York First to Launch In-Store Home Energy Rebates for Appliances

NY: By offering residents federal rebates to save money on ENERGY STAR-certified heat pump clothes dryers through participating retailers and contractors, New York has become the first state in the nation to offer in-store Home Energy Rebates for appliances.

Towns tackle wood smoke to address poor air quality

WA: "Darrington’s air quality has improved over the past decade. The town hasn’t enacted a burn ban in five years.

But air pollution levels in Darrington still approach the federal standard for healthy air."

Use of wood fireplaces banned in Spokane County until further notice as air quality gets worse

WA: "Stagnant weather patterns and smoke pollution prompted the ban this week by the Spokane Regional Clean Air Agency. Such restrictions are common in colder months as more residents use their fireplaces."

Jericho's Wood4Good delivers free firewood

VT: "In 2019, Eric Axelrod and his two sons gave away five loads of firewood. Now their nonprofit helps up to 150 Vermont families each winter."

International News

The stove driving license - correct heating with wood

Germany: "The city of Idar-Oberstein is taking part in the 'Heating properly with wood' campaign. Its aim is to quickly and significantly reduce local air pollution by optimizing the operation of privately used wood-burning stoves."

Ban on wood-burning stoves in new homes ditched

Scotland: "The rules were temporarily halted in September after concerns were raised that a ban on wood and peat burners would have a negative impact on people living in rural areas." AGH says a ban on new wood stove installs in Scottish cities could have been retained, while allowing them in rural areas.

Coal, firewood, and dung prices in Tajikistan and how residents prepare for winter

Tajikistan: "With electricity rationing, residents of Tajikistan’s regions heat their homes using coal, firewood, or dung (dried, pressed manure). As the cold season begins, demand for these fuels increases."

Opinion: adding fuel to the fire

Ukraine : According to the proposed law, if one cubic meter of firewood or more is found in someone’s yard or shed without proof that it was felled and purchased legally, the owner would face a large fine. However, President Zelensky did not sign it into law.

Conferences & Webinars

Chimney Safety Institute of America Training Days

Check out upcoming 2024 courses from CSIA.

North Central Chimney Guild Winter Workshop

Merrill, Wisconsin, January 20-24, 2025

There will be basic self-rescue introduction, special guest speakers, HAM House home pressurization training, some hands-on masonry training and more.

ETHOS 25th Anniversary

Kirkland, Washington, January 24-26, 2025

The annual gathering of innovators in the cook stove community.

World Sustainable Energy Days 2025

Wels, Austria, March 5-7, 2025

The World Sustainable Energy Days are a leading annual conference on the energy transition and climate neutrality with over 650 participants from more than 60 countries.

EPA's 2025 Air Sensors Workshop

Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, March 18-20, 2025

The Workshop aims to (1) discuss the processes, tools, and engagement strategies, and (2) highlight success stories and potential practical outcomes utilizing air sensors.

HPBExpo 2025

New Orleans, Louisiana, March 26-29, 2025

The annual hearth convention to help retailers, buyers, manufacturers, and suppliers connect and build stronger businesses in a changing market.

Masonry Heater Association Annual Meeting 2025

Little Switzerland, North Carolina, April 7-13, 2025

Annual meeting at Wildacres Retreat featuring hands-on workshops with technical lectures and demonstrations.

International Trade Fair for Fireplaces and Cozy Ambience of Living

Leipzig, Germany, April 30-28, 2025

Manufacturers and suppliers will have their own platform to present their products and services.

International Firewood Expo 2025

Cortland, Ohio, May 2-3, 2025

Join people from US and other countries to see some of the best firewood equipment in the industry.

PFI 2025 Annual Conference

White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, June 17-19, 2025

The annual gathering of the Pellet Fuel Institute, representing manufacturers of heating pellets.

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