Wood Burning / Solid Fuel Devices
Spare the Air
"Wood smoke contains harmful particulate matter (PM) which is associated with numerous negative health effects"

Background On Model Wood Smoke Ordinance


The Air District’s Wood-Burning Rule, which was passed in 2008, applies to the entire Bay Area Air District, and sets baseline requirements regarding wood burning throughout the Bay Area.


In addition, other cities and counties have adopted local wood smoke ordinances that may in some cases contain more stringent requirements. Many of these local ordinances were based on the Air District's Model Wood Smoke Ordinance (10 k PDF, 5 pgs), which was previously developed as a guidance document for cities and counties that wished to regulate sources of particulate matter in their communities.


This old model ordinance did not ban wood burning in fireplaces but sought to take advantage of new, cleaner technologies that had been developed to effectively reduce wood smoke pollution.


When cities and counties in the Bay Area adopted the model wood smoke ordinance, it allowed the installation of


  • Natural gas fireplaces which are the cleanest air quality option. Natural gas fireplaces generate a fraction of a gram of PM per hour.

  • EPA certified wood heaters which meet EPA's particulate emission standard of 7.5 grams per hour. They incorporate combustion controls -- generally a secondary combustion zone, or use catalysts akin to the catalytic converters used in motor vehicles.

  • Pellet-fueled wood heaters which burn cleaner because they control the mixing of fuel and air more tightly than conventional woodstoves. Emissions of virtually all pellet stoves are substantially lower than EPA standards.


The model ordinance also contained the following prohibitions:


  • A prohibition on wood burning when the Air District issues a "Spare the Air Tonight" advisory. Spare the Air Tonight asks residents not to burn wood because of unhealthy levels of PM.

  • A prohibition against using certain fuels, such as garbage and plastics, in a wood burning appliance.

When a city or county adopted the model wood smoke ordinance, enforcement took place through the permit process at local building departments. The ordinance required residents to provide documentation that the device to be installed is allowed by the ordinance.


Air District staff worked with health agencies and interested residents in the Bay Area to advocate for the adoption of the ordinance. As of April 2006, the ordinance had been adopted by 41 cities and eight of the nine Bay Area counties.


Air Quality Benefits of the Model Ordinance - Air District staff calculate that for every 1,000 new homes built in accordance with the provisions of the ordinance, three tons of PM10 are avoided each winter based on the assumption that:


  • the average residence burns 0.28 cords of wood per winter season;
  • 90 percent of the homes have wood burning fireplaces; and
  • 38 percent of homeowners burn wood during the winter season.

There is also a corresponding decrease in carbon monoxide and toxic air contaminants generated by the burning of wood.


The wood smoke ordinance gave local communities better control over the quality of their lives, contributed to cleaner air, and reduced health costs. It also assisted local air districts in attaining and maintaining federal and state PM standards in a reasonable, cost-effective manner.


Copyright Bay Area Air Quality Management District  --  Last Updated: 6/9/2011
EPA Certified Wood Stoves List
as of September 22, 2011
EPA Certified Wood Stoves

There are several types of wood-burning appliances that people use to heat their home – either as a primary source of heat, as supplemental heat, or for ambiance.  


These include:

In addition to wood-burning appliances there are also alternative heating options, including:

Wood Stoves
A wood stove is an appliance that is usually made of cast iron, steel, or stone. Wood stoves that burn wood for fuel can be used as a primary or secondary source of heat. Learn more about choosing the right wood stove.


Pellet Stoves
Pellet stoves are similar in appearance to wood stoves; however, instead of wood, pellet stoves burn a renewable fuel made of ground, dried wood and other biomass wastes compressed into pellets. Pellet stoves operate by pouring pellets into a hopper which feeds automatically into the stove. Unlike wood stoves and fireplaces, most pellet stoves need electricity to operate. Learn more about pellet stoves.


Fireplace Inserts
Fireplace inserts are similar in function and performance to free-standing wood stoves, but are designed to be installed within the firebox of an existing masonry or metal fireplace. A certified installer will make sure the flue liner in your masonry chimney is installed correctly. If your fireplace is factory built (or "zero-clearance"), you must use an insert that was specifically designed and tested for your unit to make it more efficient and less polluting.


Fireplaces
There are two major types of wood-burning fireplaces, traditional masonry fireplaces that are typically built of brick or stone and are constructed on site by a mason; and “low mass” fireplaces that are engineered and pre-fabricated in a manufacturing facility prior to installation. Most fireplaces, whether masonry or low mass, are not used as a primary source of heat; their function is primarily for ambiance and secondary heating. Learn more about choosing the right fireplace.


Hydronic Heaters
Hydronic Heaters (also called outdoor wood heaters or outdoor wood boilers) are typically located outside the buildings they heat in small sheds with short smokestacks. Typically, they burn wood to heat liquid (water or water-antifreeze) that is piped to provide heat and hot water to occupied buildings such as homes, barns and greenhouses. However, hydronic heaters may also be located indoors and they may use other biomass as fuel (such as corn or wood pellets). Learn more about choosing the right hydronic heater.


Masonry Heaters
A masonry heater is a site-built or site-assembled solid-fueled heating device, consisting of a firebox, a large masonry mass, and a maze of heat exchange channels. It stores heat from rapidly-burning fires within its masonry structure, and slowly releases the heat into the home throughout the day. Masonry heaters currently do not require EPA certification. The Masonry Heater Association of North America Exit EPA disclaimer can provide you with more information on masonry heaters and installers near your area.


Gas Stoves
Gas stoves are designed to burn either natural gas or propane. They emit very little pollution, require little maintenance, and can be installed almost anywhere in the home. Today’s gas stoves can be vented through an existing chimney, or direct vented through the wall behind the stove. While some models do not require outside venting, EPA does not support their use due to indoor air quality concerns. For more information, see the Hearth, Patio, and Barbecue Association Fact Sheet on Gas Stoves (PDF).


Decorative Fireplace Gas Logs
Decorative fireplace logs can be installed in an existing fireplace. While not designed to be a significant source of heat, decorative logs provide an alternative to burning wood. Because they burn either natural gas or propane, they have low emissions.