# Wood Stove/Fireplace Emissions Study Impact On Product Replacement & Consumer Opinions Supplemental Report

– Products Combined

8/7/2013

# Wood Product Consumer Research
Research Background & Objectives

2 

## Background: The Wood Heat Coalition (WHC) represents all distribution channels within the hearth industry, including wholesalers, specialty hearth retailers, chimney sweeps, internet retailers, and home centers. The WHC approached The Stevenson Company with concerns over a proposed tightening of EPA 

## emission standards. The EPA proposal intends to reduce the acceptable amount of wood stove/ fireplace/insert emissions from 7.5 g/h to as low as 1.3 g/h. To meet these emission standards, most manufacturers would need to employ catalytic combustor and/or new design or technology into future products. This adds significant cost to the unit and would translate into a dramatic price increase for consumers. In response to the proposed EPA emission standards, the WHC requested a research study to examine consumer opinion and replacement opinions given a marketplace with these new standards. Objectives: 

## The overall objectives are to provide a view of the existing U.S. wood stove/fireplace/insert market, and to determine if consumers are likely to replace their current units with these lower emission products.3 

# Methodology & Sample Design Methodology: Since the incidence of product ownership is small, to achieve study objectives an online survey was conducted. This approach involved interviewing homeowners from targeted geographic locations that own a wood stove, wood high efficiency fireplace, or wood fireplace insert in their primary/secondary home (vacation home, weekend getaway place, cabin, etc). The criteria for participation included:

• Adult head of household

• Homeowner



## • Target geographic areas with a higher incidence of product ownership and/or colder climates

• Own a wood stove, fireplace insert, or high efficiency fireplace in primary and/or secondary residence (Decorative, open wood

- burning fireplaces NOT included in the fireplace sample)

• A subsample of consumers intending to purchase in next 12 months was also included

• Primary or equal decision maker regarding product purchase



## • Primary or equal product user Sample Design: A 15

- minute online survey conducted among a sample of 610 consumers.

• Product Owners 539 Completes (419 wood stove owners, 120 H.E. wood fireplace/insert owners)



## • Purchase Intenders 71 Completes (47 wood stove intenders, 24 wood fireplace/insert intenders) 

# Wood Product Consumer Research4 

### Respondents were taken through a series of exposures to the different products and technologies and asked their likelihood to purchase under various scenarios. Order of exposure to these descriptions and measures of likelihood to purchase: 1) Product descriptions of wood stoves and wood fireplaces to bring all to an equal understanding of the types and technologies. (See product descriptions in Appendix). 

### 2) Exposure to explanations of the Catalytic Combustor technology along with the bypass damper to bring all to an equal understanding. (See product types in Appendix). 3) Measure of likelihood to replace their current product at prices ranging from $1,000

- $4,000. 4) Measures of likelihood to pay a premium ranging from $500 to $2,000 for a product with a Catalytic system. 5) Exposure to potential EPA Mandate. (See potential EPA market change in Appendix). 6) Under EPA Mandate, measures of likelihood to pay a premium ranging from $500 to $2,000 for a product with a Catalytic or “New Technology” system. 

### 7) Measure of most likely choice of buying a “New Technology” wood

- burning product or choosing to do something else. 

# Wood Product Consumer Research Methodology5 

##  Very few non
- catalytic system owners are interested in purchasing a product with “New Technology” given the price premiums.

• When shown price ranges for a replacement stove or fireplace product, with no assumption of technology, only 13% would purchase at $1,000, dwindling to about 3% at $4,000.

• When exposed to price premiums for a catalytic or “New Technology” system, even fewer are willing to opt for a product. Assuming a $500 premium, only 11% will buy, and at a $2,000 premium only 4% will buy.



## • Current owners of catalytic systems are much more likely to purchase at the premium prices due to their having purchased premium

- priced catalytic systems.  Exposure to the EPA mandate slightly erodes purchase likelihood.

• While the EPA mandate causes purchase likelihood to decline, the declines are only about 1% 

## from their purchase likelihood prior to exposure of the EPA mandate, suggesting that price is the biggest detractor. 

# Wood Product Consumer Research – Summary Of Findings6 

##  When purchasing a new product, “Price” is the most important attribute.

• Of the features examined, “Price”, “Efficiency ratings”, and “User

- friendly controls” are most important.  Most consumers are not very familiar with Catalytic type products.

• About half of all owners are unsure if they own a Catalytic or Non

- Catalytic product. 

##  Almost half of owners do not know if their product is EPA certified.

• Owners of older products (10+ years) are much less likely to know if their product is EPA certified.

• About one

- third of owners know they have an EPA certified product, however these owners tend to have newer products (less than 5 years old).  Most owners do not have their product professionally serviced.

• Service is usually conducted by the owner. Once a season is the most common service interval.  These wood burning products are typically used as a primary heat source for the home.



## • During heavy use times the product is generally used daily, and burns an average of 3.43 cords of wood per year [Cord Size = 4’ X 4’ X 8’ (128 cubic feet)]. 

# Wood Product Consumer Research – Summary Of Findings

# PRODUCT PURCHASE INTEREST

7

### Non Cat Owners

3%
4%
6%


### 13%



## - $ 

## 1,000 $ 2,000 $ 3,000 $ 4,000 $ 5,000 $

0% 2% 4% 6% 8% 10% 12% 14% 16%

Q15. How likely would you be to replace your current [Stove] with a new one if it cost [Price]? 8 

### Owners Replacement Product Purchase Interest (Do Not Own Catalytic) Product Owners 

# Very few non catalytic owners are interested in product replacement

• Catalytic owners are much more likely to replace their current product at a premium price point.

(n=425) SCALE: 1=Not At All Likely to Purchase ... 5=Extremely Likely to Purchase. NOTE: Percentages are top 2 box and weighted to better reflect purchase likelihood (5= 0.8 weight & 4= 0.4 weight) 

### 20%
22%
26%


### 32%



## - $ 

## 1,000 $ 2,000 $ 3,000 $ 4,000 $ 5,000 $

0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% Owners Replacement Product Purchase Interest

(Own Catalytic)

Cat Owners (n=114)

### 4%
5%
7%
11%



## - $ 500 $ 1,000 $ 1,500 $ 2,000 $ 

## 2,500 $

0% 2% 4% 6% 8% 10% 12% 14% 16%

Q18. How likely would you be to [replace your current product with / purchase] one of these Catalytic products if the cost was (Price) more than a Non

- Catalytic unit? (Before EPA Description) Q19 How likely would you be to [replace your current product with / purchase] one of these “New Technology” products if the cost was (Price) more than today’s products? (After EPA Description) 9



## Owners Catalytic & “New Technology” Purchase Interest

(Do Not Own Catalytic) Product Owners 

# After EPA description, purchase interest drops about 1 point

3%
4%
6%
10%



## - $ 500 $ 1,000 $ 1,500 $ 2,000 $ 

## 2,500 $

0% 2% 4% 6% 8% 10% 12% 14% 16%

(n=425) (n=425) 

### Before EPA Description After EPA Description 

## • Interest in purchasing a Catalytic or “New Technology” product is low.

• 10% of consumers are interested in purchasing if the price is $500 more 

## than Non

- Catalytic products.

SCALE: 1=Not At All Likely to Purchase ... 5=Extremely Likely to Purchase. NOTE: Percentages are top 2 box and weighted to better reflect purchase likelihood (5= 0.8 weight & 4= 0.4 weight)35% 29% 15% 13% 8%
Fix/repair current Buy "New

Technology" wood product Find used with

"Previous Technology" Eliminate

wood heater, replace with alternative product Eliminate

wood heater, not replace with alternative 

### Total Owners 

# Owners are likely to fix their current product or find a used “Previous 

# Technology” product

• In a marketplace with the proposed EPA emission changes (and resulting product technology changes), half of owners would repair their current product or search for a “Previous Technology” product.

• With no price premium attached, willingness to purchase a “New Technology” product is higher than when asked with a $500 premium. This seems to indicate that consumers are expecting the premium to be $500 or less.

In this survey we presented information about wood products and how they could be configured in the future. You learned that in the near future “non

- catalytic” products may no longer be available, and current “catalytic” products may need “new technology” to meet EPA emission standard

. Q20a. (Owners) Based on the marketplace we described, when it comes time to replace your current wood heater, which of the fo llo wing would you most likely do: Q20b. (Intenders) Based on the marketplace we described, when it comes time to purchase a wood heater, which of the followin g w ould you most likely do: 10

(n=539) 

## Likely Purchase Action (Owners)

45% 32% 17% 6%
Buy a "New Technology" wood product Find used wood

product with "Previous Technology" Find an alternative

heating product Forget about

buying a heating product


### Total Intenders (n=71) 

## Likely Purchase Action (Intenders)

# Price is the most important product feature

• Price, efficiency ratings, and user

- friendly controls are important product features.

Q17. If you were to purchase a new or replacement [Product], what features would be most important to you? Please rank the following from 1 to 7 with 1 being most important to 7 being least important. 11 NOTE: Sample Reflects Owners (n=539) & Intenders (n=71) CAPITAL letters denote significant difference at a 95% confidence level 

## Feature Importance

45%

18%

9%

9%

8%

6%

6% 18%

22%

20%

12%

11%

9%

9% 12%

19%

23%

11%

12%

13%

10% 10%

14%

16%

14%

14%

15%

16% 5%

14%

13%

14%

18%

20%

16% 4%

8%

12%

18%

18%

20%

20% 5%

6%

7%

22%

20%

17%

24% Price Efficiency Rating

User - friendly controls

Made In North America

EPA Performance Tecnology (Cat/Non

- Cat)

Aesthetics

1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th Total Products (n=610) NOTE: Mean ranking: 1.00 = First Choice ... 7.00 = Seventh choice Mean Ranking

4.81 4.64 4.57 4.54 3.68 3.31 2.46

# PRODUCT USE / INTENDED USE

12

# Over half have owned a wood burning product in the past

• Almost two

- thirds use or intend to use their wood burning product as a primary heat source.

S11. Is this the first [Product] you [have owned / will have owned], or have you owned a similar product before? S14. which of the following best describes the [primary / intended] use of this product? 13 64%

30%

6%
Use mostly as Primary heat source Use mostly as

Supplemental heat source Use mostly for aesthetic,

decorative, mood 

### Total Products (n=610) 

## Product Purpose/Intention

NOTE: Sample Reflects Owners (n=539) & Intenders (n=71) 46% 54%

First Time Have Owned Similar Before 

### Total Products (n=610) 

## Ownership History

# These wood burning products are located in the primary residence

S12. Where [is this / will this] [Product] be installed? S13. What is the approximate square footage of the area you [use / intend to use] this product? (if heating entire home provide sq. ft. of home. Otherwise, provide sq. ft of area where product is used) 14 8% 27% 33%
22%
10%

< 500 sq. ft. 500 to <1,000 1,000 to <1,500 1,500 to

<2,000 2,000 sq. ft. or

more 

### Total Products (n=610) 

## Area Used 97%

2% 1% Primary Residence Secondary Residence Other 

### Total Products 

## Product Location

(n=610)

NOTE: Sample Reflects Owners (n=539) & Intenders (n=71)

# Most are NOT very familiar with Catalytic products

Q16. We will discuss two types of wood burning products ... catalytic combustion and non

- catalytic combustion. How familiar are you with Catalytic Combustion products? (Before Cat Description) 15 5% 11% 26% 29% 30%

Extremely Familiar Very Familiar Somewhat Familiar Not Very Familiar Not At All Familiar 

### Total Products (n=610) 

## Familiarity with Catalytic Products

NOTE: Sample Reflects Owners (n=539) & Intenders (n=71) Unfamiliar 59% Familiar 16%

# PRODUCT OWNERS

16

# About 40% of products owned are 10+ years old

• 50% of consumers have owned their home 11+ years.

Q1. What is the approximate age of this [Product]? Q1a How many years have you owned the place where this [Product] is located? 17 5% 27% 22% 23% 16% 7%

< 1 Yr 1 Yr to <5

Yrs 5 Yrs to <10 Yrs 10 yrs to

<20Yrs 20+ yrs DK, came

with home 

### Product Owners (n=539) 

## Age of Product

6% 17% 25% 24% 16% 10%

1 Yr or Less 2 to 4 Yrs 5 to 10 Yrs 11 to 20 Yrs 21 to 30 Yrs 31+ Yrs



### Product Owners (n=539) 

## Time At Residence Product Owners

# During heavy use times most operate their product daily

• These wood burning products are very likely to be used as a primary heat source, leading to a higher frequency of use and more wood burned.

S14 Which of the following best describes the primary use of this [Product]? Q2. During your heaviest use times, about how often do you use your [Product]? Q3. Over the course of one year’s use, about how much wood do you burn in your [Product]? 18

65%

29%

7%
Use mostly as Primary heat source Use mostly as

Supplemental heat Use mostly for Aesthetic 

### Product Owners (n=539) 

## Product Purpose 75%

13% 6% 1% 6% Daily Few times/wk Few times/mo Once a month < Once a month Product Owners 

### Frequency of Product Use

9% 17% 21% 17% 11% 25%

< 1 Cord 1 to < 2 2 to < 3 3 to < 4 4 to < 5 5+ Cords Product Owners 

### Wood Burned Per Year (Cords*)

Mean:3.43 Cords

*Cord defined as 4’ wide x 4’ high x 8’ long (128 cubic feet) Product Owners45% 35%
15% 2% 3%

1 Time 2 Times 3 times 4 Time 5+ Times Replaced Catalytic 

### Catalytic Replacement Frequency

(n=60) 

# Almost half of owners DO NOT know which product type they own

• Of those owning a catalytic product, about half have replaced the catalytic combustor in the lifetime of the product.

Q5. There are two main types of [Product] ... Catalytic and Non

- Catalytic. Which type do you own? (Before Catalytic Explanation) Q6. In the time that you have owned your catalytic [Product], have you ever replaced the catalytic combustor? (After Catalyt ic Explanation) Q7. In the lifetime of your product, how many times have your replaced the catalytic combustor? 19

46% 33% 21%

Not Sure Non

- Catalytic Catalytic


### Product Owners (n=539) 

## Product Type Owned 53% 47%

Yes, have replaced No, haven't replaced Catalytic Owners 

### Catalytic Combustor Replacement

(n=114) Replaced Cat Product Owners63%

37% 48% 52% 42% 58%

36% 64%

Yes, have replaced No, haven't replaced

<5 Yrs 5 to <10 Yrs 10 to <20 Yrs 20+ Yrs 

# Older products are much less likely to be catalytic

• While the sample size is small, older catalytic products tend to be less likely to have had the catalytic combustor replaced.

Q5. There are two main types of [Product] ... Catalytic and Non

- Catalytic. Which type do you own? (Before Catalytic Explanation) Q6. In the time that you have owned your catalytic [Product], have you ever replaced the catalytic combustor? (After Catalyt ic Explanation) 20 CD

(n=54) (*n=19)

*Small Sample Size 40% 29% 32% 41% 34% 25% 46% 39%

15% 55%

33%

13%

Not Sure Non

- Catalytic Catalytic

<5 Yrs 5 to <10 Yrs 10 to <20 Yrs 20+ Yrs (n=171) (A) 

## Product Type By Age of Product

(n=116) (B) (n=124)

(C) (n=88)

(D) D A

(*n=29) (*n=11) 

## Catalytic Replacement By Age of Product Product Owners

CAPITAL letters denote significant difference at a 95% confidence level

# Most are very familiar with reasons for closing bypass damper

• 4 in 10 catalytic owners “always” or “often” run the unit with the bypass damper opened.

Q8. Are you familiar with the purpose of closing the bypass damper on your catalytic [product]? (Before Bypass Description) Q9. Except for when the unit is started or reloaded, how often do you operate your [Product] in bypass? (After Bypass Descr ipt ion) 21

79%

16% 5%
Yes, very familiar Yes, I do it, but not sure why No, not sure 

### Catalytic Owners (n=114) 

## Why Close Bypass Damper

18% 22% 34%

18% 7% 0% Always Often Sometimes Rarely Never Not Sure


### Catalytic Owners (n=114) 

## Operation With Damper Open Cat Product Owners

## • Once a season is the most mentioned service interval.

73%

17% 10%

I service, not professionally I have product serviced

professionally New product, hasn't

needed service yet 

### Product Owners (n=539) 

## Professional Product Service

22 34% 50%

16%

A few times a year Serviced once a season Less than once a season Product Serviced



### Frequency of Service

(n=484) Product Owners

Typical Maintenance Tasks (Mentions 3% or More Shown) Product Owners (n=539) (S) Clean/sweep chimney parts 46% Ash/soot/creosote removal 33% Stove pipe cleaning 17% Replacing parts / maintenance 10% Inspection/working properly 10% Clean doors 4% Burn creosote log 3% Nothing 25% 

# Most products are NOT professionally serviced

Q10. Are there any maintenance tasks you regularly perform on your [Product]? Q11. Do you have your [Product] serviced by a professional? Q12. How often is your [Product] usually serviced?

# Almost half of owners are unsure if their product is EPA certified

EPA - certified wood heater: a heater is EPA

- certified (Environmental Protection Agency) when it has a permanent certification label stating that it has been certified to the EPA Standard by an independent testing agency. All EPA

- certified heaters have particulate emissions of less than 7.5 g/h. (7.5 grams per hour), with a vast majority (approximately 85%) below 4.5 g/h. Q13. Is your [Product] EPA certified? CAPITAL letters denote significant difference at a 95% confidence level 23

Product Owners

37%

18% 45%

Yes, EPA Certified No, Not EPA Certified Not Sure


### Product Owners (n=539) 

## EPA Certified Product

67%

7% 26% 41%

13% 46%

15% 17% 68%

16% 40% 44%

Yes, EPA Certified No, Not EPA Certified Not Sure

<5 Yrs 5 to <10 Yrs 10 to <20 Yrs 20+ Yrs (n=171) (A) 

## EPA Certified By Age of Product

(n=116) (B) (n=124)

(C) (n=88)

(D) BCD

CD ABC A ABD

A 

## • Owners of older products are less likely to know if their product is EPA certified.

• About one

- third of owners know they have a product that is EPA certified, however these products tend to be newer (less than 5 years old).

A

# DEMOGRAPHICS

2415%

31%

29%

17%

5%

3% < 1,000 sq. ft.

1000 to 1,499

1,500 to 1,999

2,000 to 2,999

3,000 to 3,999

4,000+ sq. ft.

Total Products 88%

8%

2%

2%

1% Single family detached home

Mobile home

Condo / Apartment

Duplex

Other

Total Products 

# Demographics

Q. How many of each of the following outdoor Hearth grills or smokers does your household currently own and use? n=xxx n=xxx n=xxx n=xxx 

## Place of Residence

25 NOTE: Sample Reflects Owners (n=539) & Intenders (n=71) CAPITAL letters denote significant difference at a 95% confidence level. 

## Size of Residence

78%

13%

8% Rural

Suburban

Urban

Total Products 

## Location of Residence

(n=610) (n=610) (n=610)

# Demographics

26 37%

63% Male

Female

Total Products 

## Gender

4%

16%

18%

21%

24%

17% < 25

25 to 34

35 to 44

45 to 54

55 to 64

65+
Total Products 

## Age

NOTE: Sample Reflects Owners (n=539) & Intenders (n=71) CAPITAL letters denote significant difference at a 95% confidence level. (n=610) (n=610)

# Demographics

27

18%

63%

13%

4%

2% 1

2

3

4

5 or more

Total Products 

## Adults in Household

62%

16%

14%

6%

1%

1% 0

1

2

3

4

5 or more
Total Products 

## Children in Household

NOTE: Sample Reflects Owners (n=539) & Intenders (n=71) CAPITAL letters denote significant difference at a 95% confidence level. (n=610) (n=610)

# Demographics

28 34%

9%

13%

6%

2%

20%

1%

15% Employed full time Employed part time
Self

- employed Not employed, but looking Not employed, not looking

Retired
Student
Homemaker
Total Products 

## Employment

NOTE: Sample Reflects Owners (n=539) & Intenders (n=71) CAPITAL letters denote significant difference at a 95% confidence level.

(n=610) 21%

33%

23%

9%

5%

3%

2%

5% < $25,000 $25,000 to < $50,000 $50,000 to < $75,000 $75,000 to < $100,000 $100,000 to < $150,000 $150,000 to < $199,000

$200,000 +

No Answer
Total Products 

## Income

(n=610)

# Demographics

29 NOTE: Sample Reflects Owners (n=539) & Intenders (n=71) CAPITAL letters denote significant difference at a 95% confidence level. 3%

25%

32%

13%

16%

3%

9% Less than high school
High school
Some college, no degree
Associate's degree
College (B.A, B.S,)
Some grad school
Grad school (M.S. M.D)
Total Products



## Education

13%

64%

8%

2%

5%

8% Single, never married

Married

Divorced

Separated

Widowed

Living with partner

Total Products 

## Marital Status

(n=610) (n=610)

# Demographics

30 NOTE: Sample Reflects Owners (n=539) & Intenders (n=71) CAPITAL letters denote significant difference at a 95% confidence level. 93%

2%

2%

1%

1%

1%

1% White
Black / African American

Native American

Mixed

Asian or Pacific Islander

Other

No Answer
Total Products



## Race

24%

27%

26%

23% Northeast

Midwest

South

West

Total Products



## Region

(n=610) (n=610)

# APPENDIX

Statements & Descriptions

3132 

### Wood Freestanding Stove

– is a stove that is not installed into an existing masonry fireplace or built into a wall. Some freestanding stoves are on legs, others on pedestals, but all sit at least a few inches above the floor. A connector (commonly called stove pipe) is used to connect the stove to the chimney. Freestanding stoves are typically sealed units with a control to adjust combustion air. They provide longer burn times and are used for heating purposes. Wood Fireplace Insert

– is a firebox surrounded by a shell that's typically made of steel. The box and steel shell create a space where convection air can flow between to get the heat out of the fireplace cavity. The wood fireplace insert is installed into your existing masonry fireplace to increase heating efficiency. Fireplace inserts are typically sealed units with a control to adjust combustion air. They provide longer burn times and are used for heating purposes, converting an open fireplace to a heat source. High Efficiency Wood Fireplace

– is a factory made version of a traditional masonry fireplace and is designed to be built in where no fireplace existed before. Although it may have brick lining on the inside of the firebox, the shell of the fireplace is metal. It is insulated, therefore making it possible to frame the unit into a wall and finish it with a surroun d. In most cases, it is directly connected to a prefabricated chimney. High Efficiency wood fireplaces typically have sealed 

### doors and a control to adjust combustion air. They provide longer burn times than a standard fireplace and are used for heating purposes. Decorative, open wood
- burning fireplace

– [ THIS PRODUCT DID NOT QUALIFY FOR STUDY ] is a factory made version of a traditional masonry fireplace. Although it may have brick lining on the inside of the firebox, the shell of the fireplace is metal. It is insulated, therefore making it is possible to frame the unit into a wall an d 

### finish it with a surround. In most cases, it is directly connected to a prefabricated chimney. The unit may or may not have doors. If it has doors, they are generally unsealed. There is no control to adjust combustion air and the unit is therefore not intended for whole home heating. Rather, it is typically used with the doors open to create some radiant warmth and ambiance into a single room. 

# Product Descriptions33 

### Consumers were shown the following product descriptions to bring them to an equal level of understanding.
You may or may not be familiar with catalytic and non

- catalytic style products. Here is a brief description of each type. Catalytic Heaters: Catalytic wood heaters have an additional control to allow for the bypass of the catalyst during start up and reloading. They have a reputation for being more efficient than non

- catalytic in a test environment. They are 

### also more expensive. The Catalytic Combustor causes the gases and particulates to ignite at a lower than normal temperature. That means more emissions are generally burned during a long low burn in the secondary area, resulting in less emissions than non

- catalytic units. Catalytic units also require regular maintenance to stay at peak combustion efficiency, and replacement of the Catalytic combustor every 5

- 8 years.



### Non - Catalytic Heaters : Non

- catalytic wood heaters are more affordable, have less moving parts, and don’t have a catalytic combustor to maintain. Like Catalytic units, emissions are reduced due to a secondary combustion area either in the firebox or in a secondary combustion area. Due to their design, non

- catalytic units often have the benefit of a more appealing flame appearance, lower initial cost, and are less complicated to operate. 

# Product Types 

# (Catalytic & Non
- Catalytic)34 

### The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) is proposing tighter standards on smoke and particulate emissions generated 

### from wood freestanding stoves, fireplaces, and wood fireplace inserts. The current EPA emission threshold is 7.5 g/h (7.5 grams of smoke & particulate emissions per hour) for Non

- Catalytic units and 4.1 g/h for Catalytic units. The Washington State standard is currently the most restrictive at 4.5 g/h for Non

- Catalytic units and 2.5 g/h for 

### Catalytic units. The vast majority (approximately 85%) of wood heaters sold on the market today already meet this standard. The proposed changes by EPA would lower the threshold to as low as 1.3 g/h for both Catalytic and Non

Catalytic units. If these proposed EPA restrictions are implemented, “ New Technology” wood stoves, inserts and wood fireplaces will be dramatically different to meet these new emissions and efficiency standards. The complexity of these products and their 

### operation will change. Manufacturers may need to add catalytic combustors, combustion fans, additional controls, or other special devices into future products. Consumer prices would be driven up.



# Potential EPA Market Change 

# (Consumer Description)