Air Quality Compliance

Mon, 07/08/2019 - 12:00

Governor signs into law regulations for Industrial, Commercial, and Institutional (ICI) wood heaters

On December 16, 2022, amendments to several sections of the Vermont Air Pollution Control Regulations were adopted that relate to control of air contaminant emissions from mid-size wood fuel burning equipment. These amendments affect mid-size wood fuel burning equipment in three size categories by implementing the following requirements:

Under Vermont Air Pollution Regulations, the open burning of natural wood and yard waste from property maintenance, property clearing, and so forth is allowed without a permit from the Air Quality and Climate Division. Open burning of trash is never allowed in Vermont, however, there are still reports of illegal burning across the state.

If you sell or plan to sell or lease outdoor hydronic heaters, this page provides much of the information you need to know to ensure that you are complying with Section 5-204 of Vermont's Air Pollution Control Regulations (APCR). Section 5-204 of the APCR, affects outdoor hydronic heaters installed after October 1, 1997. Prior to that date outdoor hydronic heaters in Vermont were subject only to a generic regulation regarding public nuisances or odors caused by air pollution sources.

The science of air pollution is very complex and technical. Below is a "Technical Primer" giving the basics to help to interpret the research and technical documents.  See the links below for associated documents regarding the science and testing, many specifically dealing with outdoor hydronic heaters.

While all smoke is harmful, uncertified outdoor hydronic heaters tend to generate more particulate pollution than most other wood burning devices including indoor wood stoves.  The units are designed to burn wood at lower combustion temperatures and generally have shorter stacks  that emit smoke at house level. Wood smoke releases fine particulates ("soot"), carbon monoxide, and other toxic pollutants.  

Special Requirements for Outdoor Hydronic Heaters

What are Outdoor Hydronic Heaters?

Vermont Outdoor Wood Boiler Change-out Program (2011-2015)

Using wood to heat our homes is common practice for many Vermonters whether it be with cordwood or wood pellets. According to the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation’s Vermont Residential Fuel Assessment: 2014-2015, 38% of Vermont households burned wood for at least some of their space heating needs.