Wood stoves & other home heating

List of certified wood stoves and wood-burning devices

• Wood stoves that meet both Washington and EPA standards
• Pellet stoves that meet both Washington and EPA standards
• Fireplaces that meet Washington standards
• Masonry heaters that meet Washington standards
• Wood-fired hydronic heaters that meet Washington standards
• Wood-fired furnaces that meet Washington standards

Federal emission standards for wood stoves and pellet stoves are now more protective than Washington standards. All other wood-burning devices must still meet Washington standards.

¹ Catalytic devices use a ceramic element to reduce smoke.
² Non-catalytic devices use other engineering to reduce smoke.
³ Crib wood is lumber used specifically for wood burning emissions test methods.

Wood-fired cook stoves that are mostly used for cooking must have the following characteristics to be exempt from emission testing:

• A device for measuring oven temperatures
• A flame path that is routed around the oven
• A soot clean-out door below the oven
• An oven with a volume of 1 cubic foot or greater and an oven rack
• No fan or heat channels used to dissipate heat from the appliance
• A cooking surface measured in square inches or square feet that is 1.5 times greater than the firebox
• A portion of at least four sides of the oven will be exposed to the flame path during the oven heating cycle, while a flue gas bypass will be permitted for temperature control
• An ash pan

To install a wood-fired cook stove, follow local codes and ordinances. Work with your local building permit department to meet local requirements. Find out from your local clean air agency about limits to using your cook stove during a burn ban.

• Burn only wood. — Illegal materials include garbage, treated or painted wood, particle board, plastic, rubber, waste petroleum products, animal carcasses, asphalt products, paints, chemicals, or anything that emits dense smoke or unacceptable odors.
• Burn dry, seasoned wood. — Use wood that has been split, covered, and stacked for at least one year. Test the moisture in your wood using a moisture meter. 
• Let air in. — Don't overfill your stove with wood or damp down your fire. This robs the fire of oxygen, produces less heat, wastes wood, and creates more smoke.
• Make the least possible smoke. — A properly burning fire will emit very little smoke. Smoke coming from your chimney should be no more than 20 percent opacity (how much you can see through the smoke).

Emission testing requirements for wood stoves

All wood heaters (wood stoves, pellet stoves, etc.) made after 1939 must be emission tested unless they meet the definition of a wood-fired cook stove. Heaters that also bake or cook do not qualify as wood-fired cook stoves.

In order to sell wood heaters, they must be tested at an EPA-certified lab using either a Category A – EPA approved method, or Category B – EPA approved alternative method.

Once testing is complete, email the wood stove coordinator with:

• The make, model, and efficiency rating
• The test summary

The wood stove coordinator will review the information and contact you if more information is needed. Approved devices are posted on this page under "certified wood stoves."
 

Consider other heating options before you buy or install a wood stove. Natural gas and electricity are much cleaner ways to heat your home. Use a wood stove or fireplace that is certified in Washington, the right size, and properly installed:

• A quick guide about how to select a new stove for home heat (video)
• How to operate your wood stove more efficiently (video)

Many cities, counties, housing authorities, and utility companies offer grants, low-interest or interest-free loans, and/or free weatherization and conservation programs. Check with your local clean air agency for more information.

Removing an uncertified wood stove is not required when you are buying or selling a house. To help protect air quality, we encourage you to use cleaner home heating options, such as electric or natural gas, and recycle uncertified wood stoves.

However, selling an uncertified wood stove on its own is illegal. Wood stoves are certified when they are manufactured. A homeowner can not apply to have a wood stove certified.

Find out more about buying or selling a wood-burning device in Washington.

• General smoke standards:  You cannot operate a solid fuel burning device in a way that causes a detriment to health, safety or welfare of people, plants and animals, or so that it causes damage to property. You must burn in a manner that minimizes odors that could affect others.
• Burn bans
  • Stage 1 – No uncertified wood stove use unless the stove is the sole source of heat.
  • Stage 2 – No wood stove use at all unless the stove is sole source of heat. 
• Prohibited fuel types:  These materials are not allowed to be burned in a solid fuel burning device - garbage, treated wood, plastic and plastic products, rubber products, animal carcasses, asphaltic products, waste petroleum products, paints and chemicals, and substances that emit dense smoke or obnoxious odors.
• Selling an old wood stove:  You cannot sell, exchange or give away uncertified wood stoves or solid fuel burning devices. 
• Thick chimney smoke:  You cannot burn in such a way that you create smoke that exceeds 20 percent opacity for more than six consecutive minutes.