Introduction to Hearth Products and the Hearth Products Industry

John CrouchDirector of Public Affairs

Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association September 25, 2007

USEPA –Woodstove Changeout Workshop

Philadelphia, PA

“Fuels” in Modern Hearth Products

• Wood – Cordwood, Pellet, Desified wood log-- Manufactured Firelogs

• Gas – Natural Gas, and LP• Electricity• Fuel Oil• Coal• “Naturally Pelleted” i.e. Corn. etc

2 Major “Usage” Distinctions

• Decorative Hearth Products– Open Wood Fireplaces– Gas Logs for installation in a fireplace– Vented Gas Fireplaces– Electric Fireplaces– Manufactured Firelogs

• Heating Hearth Products– Wood Heaters (wood stoves)– Gas Heating Fireplaces– Oil, Corn, Pellet, Coal Heaters– Masonry Heaters– Central Heaters – Outdoor & Indoor

5 Major “Form Functions”

• Free standing Heater• Fireplace Insert• Log Set for Existing Fireplace• Zero-Clearance (inbuilt)• Furnaces – Indoor & Outdoor

Fireplaces-Majority are Factory Built

Woodstove-Freestanding, Insets, Zero Clearance

Wood Pellet & Corn Stoves

Pellet Fuel Factories

Heating Gas Fireplaces

Vent-free Gas Heaters

Electric and Oil

Masonry Heaters

Central Furnaces

Clean Biomass Combustion

• “3Ts” – Time, Turbulence, Temperature• Pellet Stoves,

– Predictable fuel– Electric Fan forces Combustion air into Fire– “Carbureted” Fire

• Woodstoves & Furnaces – More Difficult!– Unpredictable fuel– Natural Draft

Catalytic Woodstoves

• Very Efficient• Need Replacement• Need “warm up”

Concepts for all Non-Catalytic Heaters

Chimneys – The “Hidden” factor

• Chimneys are the engine –– No Draft = No Fire

• Chimneys are sized for different “fires” - Fireplace, EPA stoves, Pellet Stoves, Gas Inserts

• Chimneys should always be inspected during changeout--& often need to be Replaced or Relined

Changeouts

• Change old stoves for Anything cleaner

• EPA stoves are initial focus but gas & pellet key to major reductions

• Core understanding –– Woodburning consumer don’t initially

plan on converting to gas or pellet --but they can be sold on that, in store

Brief History of Woodstove Changeouts

• Concept dates to l989 – Oregon• Over 20 changeout programs since

then –– Single towns– Multi-state areas

• Great Lakes Great Stove Changeout

• For many years-based on Industry discounts only – now often include vouchers,–

How do we know the Strategy Works?

• Crested Butte, Colorado– 95% changeout– 80 % reduction Woodsmoke– 59.5% reduction PM Fine

• Libby, Montana– More complex community

Welcome to Libby-The Last Great Place

Mid - 2004 Situation

• Asbestos, not PM dominates communities attention,

• Community wide X-ray intensive reveals 30% of all residents show presence of asbestos fibers,

• 1200 un-certified old wood stoves still in use, 82% of PM 2.5 mass,

• PM-2.5 Annual SIP due soon

2005 “The collation of the willing”

• Hearth industry commits to changeout 1st

300 low income families --$1 million in donations

• EPA- OAQPS-1st actual cash $100,000• Montana DEQ $50,000/year 2 years for

coordinator• Montana Senator Burns secures $1

Million Grant for Libby• Lincoln County provides lead staffing

Phase I

• Core assumption- Low Income families burn wood to save money-Converting them to LP or Pellets could be economically harmful

• Families recruited through-– Clients of Asbestos Clinic– LIEAP – 1.25 guidelines– Head Start– WIC & AFCD

Outreach Action Plan

• Educate public on benefits of replacing old stove

• Program eligibility & Specifics• Clarify Phase I & II programs• Clarify Landlord contributions• Tips on “How to Burn”• Kicked of with press event &

“Stove Fair”

Initial Program Plan

• County establishes local coordinator & executes MOU with HPBA

• Phase I - 300 low income families to receive new EPA wood stoves & chimneys – NFI certified installers,

• Phase II – 800 residents will receive vouchers for any EPA wood, pellet, gas, electric heater.

• All old stoves collected & destroyed

Phase I

• Core assumption- Low Income families burn wood to save money-Converting them to LP or Pellets could be economically harmful

• Families recruited through-– Clients of Asbestos Clinic– LIEAP – 1.25 guidelines– Head Start– WIC & AFCD

Phase II

• Began with 2nd “Stove Fair”• Only qualifier was geographic• Vouchers for:

– $700 any wood, gas, pellet, oil, electric– $250 for professional installation– $1400 to replace wood furnace

• Voucher paid only after county received old stove

Phase II Replacement Types 10/25/2006

• Gas Stove/Heater/Furnace 29• Woodstove 290• Wood Insert 32• Wood Furnace 5• Pellet Stove 53• Pellet Insert 9• Pellet Furnace 20• Oil Stove/Furnace 13• Electric 3• Surrendered/Eliminated 2• Total 455

22 months = 1135 units replaced

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Collateral Benefits – Video & Fire Safety

Lessons Learned

• Local leaders – Local staffing• Low income HH’s challenging• Senior Citizens very tough audience• Landlords/renters where challenge• Sizing Stoves for climate was critical• ‘Carrots’ are good, but ‘sticks’ help

also – Libby’s ordinance was crucial

Montana DEQ

Libby IAQ

• University of Montana – Center for Environmental Health Sciences funding from HEI

• Dr. Tony Ward• Monitoring in Schools• In-home, post & pre changeout

– 21 Households -16 completed data– 70% reduction in PM 2.5 with

replacement woodstove

Follow-up IAQ studies- Dr. Ward

• Nez Perce tribe – Funding from OAR– 16 Households

• Wood heating• Non-smoking• Asthmatic children

– 3 days monitoring before & after • “In Negotiation” 60 Households

– National Institute of Health– Double blinded – filters or woodstoves

How Many old Woodstoves are Left?

9 – 14 Million

Old Woodstoves,

Fireplace Inserts

www.woodstovechangeout.org

Other Ideas-Programs

• USDA Rural Home program• RESA - Authorization in 2005

Energy Bill for Pellet stove rebates• Woodstove replacement tax credit

– Similar to Idaho program– Based on surrender of old woodstove

• Exploring State RPS options• Other suggestions?