We have covered this topic quite a bit and regularly discuss the function and efficiency of older non-EPA wood stoves vs. newer EPA certified models. A lot customers purchase parts for their old stoves from us and are surprised at high costs or disappointed to find parts are no longer made. Although your old wood stove is in tact, burning wood and heating your home, the stove lacks efficiency and is costing you much more in fuel than a new stove would; while also contributing to air pollution.
Since 1988 the EPA has required newly built stoves to meet emissions guidelines of 4.1 grams/hour of particle matter for a catalytic stove or 7.5 grams/hour for a non-catalytic stove. If your stove was made prior to 1988, these standards provided by the Clean Air Act are not being met. If you are not worried about the environmental effects of extra smoke or what some may perceive as government bureaucracy, how about your own pocketbook? The costs of fuel needed to keep your home heated with a non-certified stove will add up tremendously in just one season!
photo from www.epa.gov
A lot of folks are taking this issue seriously at the community, personal and government levels. Check out the Wood Stove Decathlon, scheduled for November 15th, that is taking place at the National Mall in Washington DC! We were excited to find this article and learn that 14 teams are competing for the most innovative stove design!
from Popular Mechanics, Alliance for Green Heat & Wood Stove Design Challenge
The upcoming event will include international competitors and is driven mainly by the need for less particulates in the atmosphere and a desire to reduce levels of smoke. Alliance for Green Heat and Popular Mechanics have come together and offered “The People’s Choice Awards for the Wood Stove Design Challenge”. The finalists are listed by Popular Mechanics, you can cast your vote HERE. As long as your old stove lasts and parts are still available, we can help with door gaskets, replacement glass, sometimes even the doors themselves! But as the issue comes to the forefront of our industry, we should all take some time to calculate the cost of keeping these units running vs. starting fresh with a newly designed, more efficient and innovative stove to heat our homes.
We have many other great wood, gas and pellet stove models for sale at www.WoodHeatStoves.com, including those from Hearthstone, Osburn and Flame.
