Stove - Emission Regulation

Emission Regulation

Many countries legislate to control emissions. In the U.S. since 1992, the Phase II EPA Woodstove Regulations require that all wood stoves being manufactured limit particulate emission to 7.5 grams per hour for stoves with after burners or 4.1 grams per hour for stoves with catalytic converters.

The burn temperature in modern stoves can increase to the point where secondary and complete combustion of the fuel takes place. A properly fired masonry heater has little or no particulate pollution in the exhaust and does not contribute to the buildup of creosote in the heater flues or the chimney. Some stoves achieve as little as 1 to 4 grams per hour. This is roughly 90% less smoke than older stoves, and equates to nearly zero visible smoke from the chimney. This is largely achieved through causing the maximum amount of material to combust, which results in a net efficiency of 60 to 70% as contrasted to less than 30% for an open fireplace. (Net efficiency is the amount of heat energy transferred to the room compared to the amount contained in the wood, minus any amount central heating must work to compensate for airflow problems.)