Ohio EPA proposes rules for outdoor furnaces
COLUMBUS — New rules being considered by the state would regulate outdoor wood-fired furnaces, used by some residents to heat their homes or businesses.
The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency is accepting public comments on the draft rules through March 7 and could move forward with a permanent version before next winter’s heating season.
“This is the direction we are proposing to take,” said Linda Fee Oros, a spokeswoman for the agency. “We are interested in knowing what the reaction is to that.”
Oros said Ohio EPA developed the rules after receiving increased inquiries and complaints from people living near the outdoor boilers, which have been popular, in part, due to increasing natural gas and fuel costs.
The boilers generally are placed outside of homes or buildings, with wood and other fuels added in bulk.
There are currently no rules in effect regulating their use in Ohio, Oros said.
Among restrictions outlined in the draft rules:
Residents could use clean wood, wood pellets from clean wood, home heating oil that complies with sulfur content limits, natural gas (used as a starter) or any clean-burning fuel “with emissions lower than those created from burning seasoned firewood,” according to Ohio EPA.
“Fuels excluded would include burned garbage, tires, yard waste, material containing rubber or plastic, waste petroleum products, coal, construction and demolition debris material, particle board, animal waste and asphalt products.”
Such outdoor furnaces could be used Sept. 13-April 15 unless units are certified to meet emissions limits.
Boilers would have to be placed at least 200 feet from the closest property line and have a permanent stack at least 5 feet higher than the peak of any roof within 150 feet.
Read the full story Monday in The Vindicator and on Vindy.com.