Washington regulates the types of wood stoves and other wood burning devices allowed for sale, resale, exchange, or that are given away. They must meet EPA and Washington certification standards.
Use a wood stove that is certified in Washington, the right size for your home, and properly installed. Never install a non-certified wood stove. See the list below of approved wood burning devices:
Wood stoves must also meet standards for the amount of fine particles coming from the device during testing.
Type of Device |
Washington PM2.5 Limit |
EPA PM2.5 Limit |
Catalytic1 wood burning device |
2.5 grams per hour |
4.1 grams per hour |
Non-catalytic2 wood burning devices |
4.5 grams per hour |
7.5 grams per hour |
Factory-built fireplaces and masonry heaters |
7.3 grams per kilogram |
no limit |
1 Catalytic devices use a ceramic element to reduce smoke.
2 Non-catalytic devices use other engineering to reduce smoke.
Wood-fired cook stoves that are used primarily 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
Those seeking to install wood-fired cook stoves must follow local codes and ordinances. Work with your local building permitting department to meet local requirements. Contact your
local Clean Air Agency to understand potential limits to using your cook stove during
burn bans.
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 your information and contact you if more information is needed. Approved devices are posted on this page under "certified wood stoves."
Type of stove |
WA emission rate standards |
Additional information |
Wood stoves, coal stoves, and corn stoves |
2.5 grams/hour for catalytic stoves
4.5 grams/hour for non-catalytic stoves |
|
Pellet stoves |
4.5 grams/hour |
|
Manufactured fireplaces (also known as low-mass fireplaces or zero clearance fireplaces)
|
7.3 grams of fine particles per kilogram of test fuel |
Test the fireplace at an EPA-certified lab using Washington's fireplace test method. If a fireplace contains features to control the air-to-fuel ratio, it is considered a wood stove, and must be tested and approved as a wood stove. |
Indoor wood and pellet furnaces |
2.5 grams/hour for catalytic furnaces
4.5 grams/hour for non-catalytic furnaces |
|
Masonry heaters |
7.3 grams of fine particles per kilogram of test fuel |
Test the masonry heater at an EPA-certified lab using Washington's fireplace test method. Manufacturers may apply for a testing exemption if a testing lab establishes a device is substantially similar in design to an already-tested device. A Washington-approved process for this is available through OMNI test labs. |
Outdoor wood-fired boilers (residential) |
not applicable |
Wood-fired boilers are not legal in Washington. EPA Method 28 OWHH is a Category C test that is not officially approved by EPA or Washington. |
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:
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.