Clean, Green Heat » EPA

EPA-Designated Wood Boilers Gaining Acceptance ?!?

Michael — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 03:22:56 +0000

According to the 2000 US Census, there are over 15 million households in the US which use wood as a primary or secondary source of heat; a staggering number. Given that figure, I find it fascinating that little is known about high-efficiency wood boilers — one of the most cost-effective and environmentally friendly categories of products on the market today.

Here’s an interesting article that ran in the paper that serves Prince William Sound in the Gulf of Alaska. The concept of EPA designated wood boilers is finding some traction, even if it is in the remote parts of the U.S.

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EPA Announces Three-year Deferral on Greenhouse Gas Permitting Requirements

Michael — Sat, 15 Jan 2011 02:30:59 +0000

Earlier this week, the Obama administration put a three-year hold on determining the permitting requirements for carbon dioxide emissions from biomass-fired and other biogenic sources. The surprise delay dealt a blow to green groups’ hopes for stricter pollution controls on wood-burning incinerators, while the biomass industry breathed a sigh of relief.

Since the the initial public comment period in July, 2010, the EPA received over 7,000 comments on the emissions profile of biomass fuels and sources. The EPA sites the three-year extension as window to seek further independent scientific data analysis before rule-making.

The EPA indicated that they will issue guidance shortly that will provide a basis for state or local permitting authorities to inform their decision to use biomass as a fuel as the best available control technology for GHG emissions until the agency can complete an action.

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Draft Air Pollution Rules for Boilers Were Too Strict, EPA Air Chief Says

Michael — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 06:11:19 +0000

According to the New York Times, the U.S. EPA is modifying their ruling on industrial boilers.

Having taken comment on controversial new regulations for industrial boilers and citing opposition from business leaders and lawmakers, the U.S. EPA now believes that some pollution limits in the draft rules “were simply too tight to be able to be achievable,” said the agency’s air chief Gina McCarthy.

This signals that the agency is planning to scale back proposed boiler regulations now that the pubic comment period has ended. The proposed rules were seen as prohibitively expensive and thus unlikely to be achieved and so the U.S. EPA is readying regulations that won’t be as tough on businesses.

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Massachusetts Regulates Outdoor Wood Boilers

Michael — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 21:50:14 +0000

If you live in the State of Massachusetts and you were looking to buy a traditional (low efficiency) wood boiler, you are now out of luck.

As of December 26th, residents may only purchase EPA Phase 2 qualified wood boilers (like the Greenwood Aspen Series). The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) issued the regulation to protect air quality in neighborhoods across the Commonwealth by limiting the amount of pollution emitted by outdoor wood-fired boilers, also known as outdoor hydronic heaters.

To read the announcement click here. To review the regulation go here.

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So You’ve Decided to Heat with Wood, Now What?

Michael — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 01:36:20 +0000

In the midst of an uncertain economy, outdoor wood boilers and wood-fired furnaces have become a way for people to reduce their monthly heating bills and cut heating costs. We have found that we are getting more questions from folks who have never used a wood-fired central heating system, so I thought I would answer some often asked questions to help people better understand the appliances and make informed decisions about their home heating choice.

What is a wood boiler? Wood boilers burn wood and convert the energy in wood to hot water for use as space heating or domestic hot water. They are very similar to a central gas, propane or oil boiler, except the burn wood for fuel.

Will a wood boiler work with my existing forced air heating system? Wood boilers will work with most existing heating systems (e.g. forced air, baseboard, radiant, etc.). They are controlled by the thermostat inside the home.

Are wood boilers and wood furnaces the same? Technically, boilers create hot water and and furnaces create hot air. However, when the terms wood boiler or wood furnace are used, they are often used to refer to the same appliance. The term wood boiler is an East Coast term, while wood furnace is a often used in the Midwest

What is the difference between a traditional wood boiler and a clean technology wood boiler? Over the last few years, the US EPA has been working with manufacturers to promote the development of clean technology wood boilers. These high efficiency units capture most of the heat produced from burning wood and emit 90% less emission than their dirty cousins, the traditional wood boiler. In addition, they use 50-60% less wood, while producing the same amount of heat.

Why are clean technology wood boilers more efficient? Clean technology wood boilers, such as those manufactured by Greenwood Technologies, burn at much hotter temperatures. Through a process called wood gasification, these units burning the wood completely and also burn the smoke and the gases released from the wood. There is little left to exit the chimney as smoke.

How do I know which wood boiler to buy? Look for wood boilers sold with an Orange or White Tag. These appliances are designated by the EPA to be clean burning and meet low emission standards. A short list of manufacturers that currently meet these standards is located at www.epa.gov/woodheaters.

Does my state have regulations for wood boilers? Due to the pollution caused by traditional wood boilers, a number of states including Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine have guidelines for new appliances. Many additional states are also creating model rules. Check with NESCAUM (Northeast States for Coordinated Air Use Management) or you might take a look at the list that the State of Vermont has pulled together here.

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Vermont Outdoor Wood Boiler Event

Michael — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 07:01:59 +0000

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the State of Vermont have been leading the charge to reduce the emissions on outdoor wood boilers, so it makes good sense that they chose Waterbury, VT to announce the EPA Phase II voluntary program. We were on the grounds of the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation with a number of other manufacturers (including Hardy and Northwest Manufacturing) to support the EPA announcement on cleaner outdoor wood heaters.

Phil Etter (VT DEC)

We were able to chat with many of the people responsible for the program including Phil Etter (VTDEC) and Gil Wood (EPA).

Our local dealer (Johnson Hardware) did a yeoman’s job getting a unit up and running so we could demonstrate the operation and performance to government officials. There is nothing like opening up the secondary firebox door and watching the wood gasification process taking place in the Greenwood Carbon Reactor to leave an impression.

Gil Wood (EPA)

There was also a lot of press at the event – take a listen to what Vermont Public Radio has to say about the event.

Greenwood in the News

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EPA Phase II Announcement

Michael — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 05:44:25 +0000

This past week we were in Vermont for the EPA’s announcement of the Phase II Hydronic Heater Program. After you get past the name (which is a general term that refers to pellet, corn and wood boilers) you might ask yourself what is so significant about this program?

First, as a consumer it means that there will be able to identify cleaner wood and biomass products from other dirtier products. The cleaner products carry a White Tag rather than the Orange Tag (from the Phase I program). These new units are 90% cleaner than traditional wood boilers rather than 70% cleaner than those that complied with the Phase I standards. Some products (like the Greenwood Aspen Series) qualified for both Phase I and Phase II.

The second distinction is that it places all residential biomass heating appliances in the same category. This is similar to a fuel mileage rating system for automobiles where SUVs and hybrids gas mileage can be compared. In the case of wood boilers, the rating provides you an understanding of what type of output you get based on your fuel preference or installation location. Indoor and outdoor products as well as pellet, corn and log wood fuels are all on the same scale. As a consumer you have more information in which to make your decision.

Expect to hear a lot more about the White Tag or for more information head to the EPA site.

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Good vs Bad Wood Boilers

Michael — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 22:06:36 +0000

The outdoor wood boiler (outdoor wood-fired furnace) good versus bad conversation continues to heat up. Just to make sure everyone sees Greenwood in the right light, we have the good products. Greenwood only makes clean burning wood boilers. In fact, as of the date of this post, we have the cleanest indoor and outdoor wood boilers as determined by the EPA. Sorry, no dirty-burning devices for us.

Greenwood Technologies outdoor wood boilers are designated by the EPA with an Orange Tag because of their low emission status. The Greenwood Aspen 175 and Greenwood Furnace Model 100 are certified for outdoor installation in the State of Vermont. This is good news for clean burning wood boilers and wood-fired furnaces. Read more about the debate in a NY Times article that posted on 9/19.

http://www.amny.com/news/local/wire/newyork/ny-bc-ny–outdoorfurnaces0919sep19,0,7542616.story

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