How about replacing that outdated wood stove?

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According to the Environmental Protection Agency, there are approximately 10 million wood stoves currently in use in the United States and 65 percent of them are older, inefficient conventional stoves.

Duane Johnson of the Southwest Washington Clean Air Agency said that homeowners with wood stoves that aren’t certified (those built before 1990) should consider replacing them and he confirms that there is a possibility that becomes a requirement.

“There are rumors out there that it could be required in the near future, but there is nothing set in stone,’’ Johnson said.

Heather and Rob Porter own Morton’s Stoves, Pools & Spas, which has two Clark County locations including a store located at 711 E. Main St. in Battle Ground.

“There are some great reasons to replace your old outdated wood stove,’’ Heather said.

The benefits of replacing an old wood stove with an EPA-certified wood or pellet stove include:

• Saving money, fuel, time, and resources.

• Up to 50 percent more energy efficient.



• Uses one-third less wood for the same heat.

• Cuts creosote build-up in chimneys that helps reduce the risk of fire.

Among the many products that Morton’s carries is pellet and wood stoves. A pellet stove burns compressed wood or biomass pellets to create a source of heat for residential and industrial spaces. By slowly feeding fuel from a storage container (hopper) into a burn-pot area, they create a constant flame that requires little to no physical adjustments.

A wood-burning appliance is capable of burning wood fuel and wood-derived biomass fuel. Generally, the appliance consists of a solid metal (cast iron or steel) closed fire chamber, a fire brickhouse and adjustable air control. Wood-burning appliances maintain high efficiencies by combusting hot flue gasses to less than 4.5 grams of particulites per hour.

All wood stoves and pellet stoves sold in the state of Washington must meet Washington emission standards. Even if a particular unit is EPA-certified, it may not necessarily be Washington-certified. However, Johnson said the federal standards are coming into compliance with the Washington standards in multiple steps.

For more information, visit the Southwest Clean Air Agency website at www.cleanair.org.

For information on replacing an outdated wood stove, contact Morton’s Stoves, Pools & Spas at (360) 666-1177 or visit www.mortonsstoves.com.