A new Oregon law going into effect August 1st, 2010 requires that if you have a wood stove in your home and you are going to be selling your home, that it be certified.B B Because of the level of pollution uncertified wood stoves emit, in addition to the health risks for children & the elderly, (think asthma, heart conditions, respiratory illnesses etc.), the law was established to help homeowners burn more efficiently and with less pollution. In addition, the new law requires that the stove be uninstalled and destroyed. Yes….Destroyed. So make sure you are fully up to speed on the requirements, paperwork and processes to meet this new rule when you list your home to sell.
Here is a brief Q & A of some of the questions that will pop up in this new regulation. For more details please refer to DEQ’s website http://www.deq.state.or.us/aq/burning/woodstoves/index.htm
For Home Sellers
How do I determine if my woodstove or fireplace insert is certified?
You can tell if your device is certified by looking on the back for a certification sticker from Oregon DEQ or the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This label indicates it is certified to comply with particulate emission standards. A safety label (from U.L. or other safety-listing agency) is not the same as DEQ or EPA certification. You can also check EPA’s list of certified woodstoves to see if your wood heating device is listed.
My stove does not have a label, can I get it certified?
No. Certification is only completed by stove manufacturers when introducing a new model line. To meet certification requirements, stoves must have pollution control systems built into the device.
What if I can’t access the back of my stove? What do I do if the label has worn off?
You can look up the model number of your stove on EPA’s certified woodstove list. You can also try to call the manufacturer of the stove to determine if it was certified.
How do I remove and destroy my uncertified stove?
You can remove it yourself or contact your local woodstove retailer or chimney sweep who may be able to remove and destroy the stove for you. If you choose to remove your uncertified device take it to your local metal scrap recycler or landfill to make sure it is properly disposed and destroyed. Just be sure that you get a receipt from the contractor or business that takes your stove. Your receipt is proof of the stove’s destruction and part of your notification to DEQ.
How do I notify the DEQ that I have removed and destroyed my stove?
Beginning August 1, 2010 you can submit a disclosure form to DEQ online. The form will be posted here August 1, 2010. You will also have the option to mail the form in paper form to DEQ b Heat Smart Program, 811 SW Sixth Ave, Portland, OR 97204.
For Home Buyers
- If the homeowner/seller has an uncertified woodstove device in any building on the residential property being sold, he or she must remove and destroy it before the close of sale.
- The seller must also give you, the buyer, the seller’s disclosure form indicating whether there is a wood burning device on the property.
- It is the seller’s responsibility to remove the uncertified wood burning device unless you and the seller agree that you, the buyer, will be responsible for removing the stove. If so, you must remove and destroy the uncertified wood burning device within 30 days after the closing date of sale.
- The buyer should also:
- Get a receipt indicating you have destroyed the stove.
- Submit the notification form to DEQ
