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.

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 a wood heater, it 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
• Test summary

The wood stove coordinator will review the information and contact you if more information is needed. Approved devices are listed in the "certified wood stoves" tab.
 

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. Recycle an uncertified wood stove.

Selling an uncertified wood stove is illegal. Wood stoves are certified when they are manufactured. A homeowner cannot apply to certify their wood stove.

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

Wood-fired cook stoves mostly used for cooking must have these features to be exempt from emission testing:

• A device to measure 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
• Part of at least four sides of the oven are exposed to the flame path while the oven is heating; a flue gas bypass is allowed to control temperature
• An ash pan

To install a wood-fired cook stove, work with your local building permit department to meet their requirements.

Check with 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, animal carcases, asphalt products, waste petroleum products, paint, 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).

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.

• General smoke standards: You cannot operate a solid fuel burning device that harms health, safety, or welfare of people or property. You must burn in a way that reduces odors that could bother others. (WAC 173-433-130)
• Burn bans (WAC 173-433-150)
  • Stage 1 — No use of uncertified wood stove or fireplace, unless a wood stove is the only source of heat.
  • Stage 2 — No use of wood stove, unless a wood stove is the only source of heat.
• What is illegal to burn: You cannot burn garbage, treated or painted wood, particle board, plastic, rubber, animal carcases, asphalt products, waste petroleum products, paint, chemicals, or anything that emits dense smoke or unacceptable odors. (WAC 173-433-120)
• Selling a wood stove: You cannot sell, exchange, or give away an uncertified wood stove or solid fuel burning device. (WAC 173-433-100)
• Thick chimney smoke: You cannot burn if you create smoke that exceeds 20 percent opacity for more than 6 consecutive minutes. (WAC 173-433-110)