WHAT IS THE EPA STANDARD?

EPA is the US agency responsible for setting environmental standards for the United States, namely fine particle emissions from wood-burning appliances. In May 2015, the standard was set at 4.5 g/h or less of fine particle emissions. The US agency has reviewed the existing standard and revised it downward. As of May 2020, wood-burning appliances must have an emission rate of 2.5 g/h or less in order to be sold in the United States. This rate is set at 2.0 g/h for pellet appliances. It is important to mention that EPA certified appliances emit up to 90% less particulate matter in the atmosphere than conventional stoves.

WHAT IS THE CANADIAN EMISSIONS STANDARD?

In Canada, the CSA B415.1-10 standard regulates fine particle emissions. Canadian provinces accept CSA B415.1-10 and EPA certified appliances. Under CSA B415.1-10, appliances must have emissions below 4.5 g/h. Obsurn  appliances that do not meet the EPA 2020 standard are tested to CSA B415.1-10 and their emissions do not exceed 4.5 g/h. They can therefore be sold legally anywhere in Canada. Exceptions may apply, as is the case for the city of Montreal, where emissions must be less than 2.5 g/h (regardless of EPA or CSA certification). If in doubt, check if your municipality has a specific by-law relating to wood heating.

DO I HAVE TO CHANGE MY APPLIANCE?

Everywhere in the United States and Canada, except for Nunavut, EPA or CSA B415.1-10 certified appliances are mandatory. Exceptions exist, namely for decorative wood burning fireplaces, wood cook stoves or camp stoves. Each municipality may require that the appliances installed on its territory meet more stringent standards as is the case for the city of Montreal, even if the province does not require it. It is therefore important to refer to your municipality for the current regulation, as well as to check whether a subsidy program for the replacement of old appliances is available to citizens.

In almost 100% of cases, municipalities do not require the replacement of existing appliances, but require that all new installations comply with the new regulations. There are exceptions, however, including the city of Montreal, where this acquired right is not applicable. After first announcing a complete ban on wood burning appliances, the city retracted and finally established a regulation in October 2018, which stipulates that all wood burning appliances used on its territory must emit 2.5 g/h or less when tested to EPA or CSA B415.1-10. Therefore, existing appliances on the territory of the city of Montreal that emit more than 2.5 g/h must be replaced or condemned.

HOW MUCH G/H DOES MY APPLIANCE EMIT?

If you already own a wood-burning appliance and wish to verify the number of g/h it emits, refer to your appliance’s certification label. It is located at the back of the appliance in the case of a freestanding stove, or on the side of the appliance behind the unit’s faceplate in the case of an insert. If the appliance’s emissions do not appear on the unit’s certification label (as it is often the case), you can also look at the owner's manual (available in the Manuals directory) or directly in the product page of our website if it is a recent appliance.

THE STANDARD AT OSBURN

Our engineering team is working hard to offer you high-performance products that are also environmentally friendly. All Osburn appliances are:

• Tested with cordwood. Since the daily use of wood burning appliances is done with this type of fuel, it is the most representative test method of the actual performance of the appliances. Incidentally, the EPA recommends that manufacturers use this type of fuel to perform certification tests.
• Non-catalytic. Unlike catalytic appliances, non-catalytic stoves, inserts and fireplaces require much less frequent and expensive maintenance. Reducing emissions of non-catalytic appliances requires a more efficient combustion, not the addition of a catalyst.
• Independently tested by an accredited laboratory under EPA - New Source Performance Standards (NSPS), and/or CSA B415.1-10. You are therefore assured that the results obtained are credible, verifiable and repeatable.