Residential Wood Heaters

New Source Performance Standards (NSPS)

Proposal 

General Overview Webinar for Tribes

March 6, 2014
Current Schedule

► Proposal was signed by EPA Administrator on January 3, 2014

► The full proposal and fact sheets are available on-line at 

http://www2.epa.gov/residential-wood-heaters

► The proposal was published in Federal Register on February 3.

► A public hearing was held in Boston on February 26.

► We received testimony from 59 speakers.

► There is a 90-day public comment period until May 5

► Opportunity to submit comments and data for EPA to consider

► Information on how to comment is on the website.

► We will consider all comments.

► We expect to issue the final rule in February 2015.

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Scope of the Rules

We are proposing three subparts as follows:

► Subpart AAA (for “room heaters”) revision

– Adjustable burn rate stoves

– Single-burn rate stoves

– Pellet stoves

► Subpart QQQQ (“central heaters”) new rule

– Outdoor and indoor hydronic heaters

– Forced-air furnaces

► Subpart RRRR new rule

– Masonry Heaters

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Summary of Proposal

► The 1988 NSPS requires manufacturers to design new residential wood heaters to 

meet particulate emission (PM) limits, have representative heaters (per model line) 

tested by an EPA-accredited lab, and attach EPA label after EPA approval.

► The proposal will update the 1988 NSPS to reflect today’s best systems of emission 

reduction, considering costs. These systems are ~80% cleaner and more efficient.

► The rule will affect models manufactured and sold after the rule is final.

► The rule will also establish new emission limits for types of heaters that have become 

popular after the 1988 NSPS was issued

► Step 1 emission limits will be required when the rule is final and tighter Step 2 limits 

will be required 5 years after the rule is final.

► Test methods will be revised to improve precision and better reflect the real world, 

e.g., use cord wood and consider peak, shorter-term emissions.

► The rule will also require testing and reporting efficiency and carbon monoxide.

► The projected monetized health benefits will be far greater than the costs (>100:1).

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Not Covered

► Existing heaters currently in use in people’s homes1

► Outdoor fireplaces, pizza ovens, barbecues, fire pits, chimineas, traditional 

Native American bake ovens, ceremonial fires 

► Heaters fueled solely by oil, gas or coal (or other non-wood materials) 

► Proposal by itself would not ban certified devices or restrict hours of use.

► New indoor fireplaces 

► Not effective heaters (this NSPS is for "residential wood heaters”)

► However, EPA is taking comment

► Fireplaces are included in an EPA voluntary program that encourages 

manufacturers to make cleaner-burning fireplaces and retrofits available for 

consumers.

1 We refer to “Strategies for Reducing Residential Wood Smoke” on EPA’s 

Burn Wise website and note that it includes ideas for local regulations, 

voluntary programs, funding mechanisms and best burn practices - all of 

which can help reduce particle pollution from existing wood-burning 

appliances.

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Outreach and Consultation 

► We expect this rule will improve environmental protection within Indian country 

and nationwide.

► We appreciate your previous input to help us develop this proposal.

► We clarified that the NSPS would not regulate traditional Native American bake 

ovens or ceremonial fires. 

► We appreciate this outreach opportunity with you today.

► We believe it is also important to offer government-to-government consultation to 

federally-recognized tribes. We have sent invitations to elected leaders to offer 

consultation with them or their designees if they desire.

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Room Heaters (Subpart AAA Proposed Revisions) 

► Adjustable burn-rate wood stoves (focus of 1988 NSPS)

► Proposal would strengthen existing emission limits in two steps over a five-year 

period

• Step 1 – similar to Washington State’s 1995 limit for non-catalytic stoves (most 

adjustable rate EPA-certified stoves already meet today)

– EPA-certified stoves can continue manufacturing/sales until current 

certification expires, up to a maximum of five years

• Step 2 – meet strengthened limits (see table)

► Single burn-rate wood stoves (NOT covered by 1988 NSPS)

► Would have to meet the same emission limits as adjustable burn-rate stoves

► Pellet stoves

► Would be explicitly included

• Pellet stoves are inadvertently exempted from 1988 NSPS if their air-to-fuel ratio 

is >35:1. Exemption was intended only for typical open fireplaces with high 

excess combustion air.

► Would have to meet same emission limits as adjustable burn rate heaters

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Room Heaters -- Proposed Emission Limits

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Manufacturers must use 3rd-party, independent, ISO-accredited and EPA-approved test 

laboratories and certifying entities to demonstrate compliance with a representative appliance for 

a model line.

Subpart AAA Appliances Phases / Steps PM Emission Limits

Heaters with current EPA 

certification issued prior to the 

effective date of the Final Rule

Transition period from 1988 

rule through the later of the 

effective date of the final 

revised rule or expiration of 

current certification 

(maximum of 5 years 

certification and no renewal)

4.1 g/hr for catalytic 

heaters/stoves and 7.5 g/hr for 

noncatalytic heaters/stoves 

(1988 NSPS limits)

All other heaters (includes currently 

certified heaters after the 

certification expires) 

Step 1: upon the effective 

date of final rule (60 days 

after publication)

Step 2: 5 years after the 

effective date of the final rule

4.5 g/hr 

1.3 g/hr
Central Heaters (Subpart QQQQ Proposal )

► Would affect hydronic heaters and forced-air furnaces

► Not subject to 1988 NSPS

► Hydronic heaters are also known as indoor and outdoor wood boilers

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Hydronic Heaters (in Subpart QQQQ)

► In January 2007, EPA instituted a voluntary program and NESCAUM developed 

a model rule that several states subsequently used as a starting point for state 

regulations.

► Some manufacturers redesigned their models to be Phase 2 white tag “qualified” 

models >80% cleaner (in lab tests) than unqualified ones

► > 40 current qualified Phase 2 models

► > 30 manufacturers are partners in the voluntary program

► 2-Step phase-in

► Step 1: test and certify to meet level similar to current Phase 2 white tag qualifying 

level for EPA voluntary “Hydronic Heater Program”

► Step 2: meet strengthened limits (see table) 5 years after effective date 

► Testing and certification process similar to revised subpart AAA

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Hydronic Heater – Proposed Emission Limits

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EPA also is seeking comment on a 3-Step approach over an 8-year period. This approach would 

include an interim limit of 0.15 pounds per million Btu heat output 3 years after the rule is published in 

the Federal Register.

Step PM Emission Limit Compliance Date

Step 1 0.32 pounds per million 

BTU heat output

60 days after publication of 

final rule

Step 2 0.06 pounds per million 

BTU heat output

5 years after publication of 

final rule
Forced-Air Furnaces (in Subpart QQQQ)

► Two steps over 5 years

► Step 1 is higher than HH because most FAF have not progressed as quickly, but 

should catch up to HH by Step 2

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EPA also is seeking comment on phasing in the limits in 3 steps over an 8-year period. This approach 

would include an interim emissions limit of 0.15 pounds per million Btu heat output 3 years after the rule 

is published in the Federal Register (the same interim limit as for hydronic heaters).

Step PM Emission Limit Compliance Date

Step 1 0.93 pounds per 

million BTU heat 

output

60 days after publication of 

final rule

Step 2 0.06 pounds per 

million BTU heat 

output

5 years after publication of 

final rule
Masonry Heaters (in Subpart RRRR)

► Currently not regulated

► Would require certification process similar to revised Subpart AAA

► Limit based on test data for typical masonry heaters that perform well.

► Asking for comments on alternatives to testing. Most heaters are custom built 

on-site, so testing each custom model could be difficult.

► Compliance deadlines based on production level

► Most companies make less than 15 heaters per year 

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Annual Production Level PM Emission Limit Compliance Deadline

15 heaters or more 0.32 pounds per million 

BTU heat output 

60 days after final rule 

is published

Fewer than 15 heaters 0.32 pounds per million 

BTU heat output 

5 years after final rule is 

published
Test Methods

► Peak, shorter-term particulate emissions

► We add multiple 1-hour filters for each test run to gather data regarding 

start-up and anticipated peaks.

► For Step 2, we require compliance with emission limits at the lowest burn 

rate (“Category 1”) and the maximum burn rate (“Category 4”) rather than 

the weighted average of the four burn rates in the current NSPS.

► Cordwood test method

► We add testing with cordwood to encourage best real-world performance. 

For Step 1, the manufacturer would submit 2 test reports, 1 with cribs 

(dimensional lumber) and 1 with cordwood and choose which results to use 

for certification. Step 2 tests would all be with cordwood. 

► We will continue to work with states and labs and industry on the details.

► Precision

► We propose improvements to the test methods to improve precision.

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Efficiency and Carbon Monoxide 

► Efficiency

► We require testing and reporting but not a minimum efficiency

► Carbon Monoxide

► We require testing and reporting of CO but not an emission limit

► Information would guide consumers’ decisions

► Model line performance testing by 3rd-party

• accredited labs/certifying bodies

► Reviewed/approved by EPA (OECA)

► Model lines also subject to audit testing

• Sealed/stored units used for original performance test

• Original drawings compared to actual unit 

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Projected Impacts

► We expect the rule would reduce fine particle pollution from new 

heaters by ~4,800 tons per year over the 2015-2022 timeframe; many 

reductions would be in areas with significant particle pollution problems. 

► We expect monetized health benefits would be >$4 billion per year and 

lives would be saved.

► We expect costs would be ~$16 million per year.

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Comments

► In addition to consultation, we invite email comments to:

► a-and-r-docket@epa.gov,

► Attention Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2009-0734

► Gil Wood

► wood.gil@epa.gov

► 919-541-5272

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Background - Previous Outreach and Consultation

► During the development of this proposal, we conducted outreach with numerous 

tribal representatives to provide opportunities for input.

► We provided information at the July 2010 National Tribal Forum/National Tribal Air 

Association (NTAA) meeting in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and the November 2010 

EPA Region 10 Tribal Leaders Summit in Juneau, Alaska.

► We also presented information in the April 2010 issue of Tribal Air News and during 

the EPA/NTAA tribal workgroup conference calls (April 2010, July 2010, August 2010, 

and May 2013).

► Specifically, we received input on culturally relevant exclusions from the proposed 

standards. We agreed with the input, clarified that we do not intend to regulate 

ceremonial fires, and added a definition to the rule to exclude traditional Native 

American bake ovens. 

► On February 18, 2011, we mailed letters to about 600 elected tribal leaders offering 

an opportunity for consultation. We received requests from six tribes. These tribes 

agreed to discuss the proposal with us in a conference call held on March 22, 2011. 

The tribes were very supportive of the proposal and provided helpful clarifications of 

definitions (e.g., Native American bake ovens) that we have incorporated in this 

proposal. 

► We plan to continue to provide updates on the rule on the EPA/NTAA conference 

calls and to offer opportunities to tribal leaders for consultation. The EPA specifically 

solicits additional comment on this proposed action from tribal officials.

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