Fireplace laws in WA? Questions about wood burning (Seattle, Kent: how much, buying a house)

[ElektroDragon]

I am buying a house built in 87 that has a real brick chimney and former wood burning fireplace. The house now has an electric fireplace insert. I think its kind of tacky and pointless to stick an electric fireplace in a house that was clearly designed for a wood-burning one. So, I was planning to eventually install a high tech super low emission wood burning fireplace with a door, like one of the Lennox "WA state approved" ones, because I really like the idea of having a real, traditional fireplace. I've never had one before, and with the right emission standards it should be more evironmentally friendly than burning fossil fuels (gas ones) or wasting electricity (electric ones).

So, I have some questions:
1) Will WA state allow me to install a wood burning fireplace again if it meets the emissions standards?
2) If its high tech and meets all the state particle emission standards, will I still be subject to these wood burning bans I keep hearing about?
3) Any idea how much one of those suckers might cost to install into an existing brick fireplace/chimney?

[LongDawson]

I can't answer your questions but I am compelled to respond with related info.

First of all I agree with you entirely that a traditional wood-burning heating source in your home is the superior way to go. Peace of mind that you have it, in case of emergency, and firewood is very inexpensive here. A tree service nearby sells me cords delivered for $125. You might have to pay a bit more. What a feeling when winter starts and the wood shed is full. Romance too, the fireplace ablaze with the wife.

I believe wood stoves are expensive. So you may have to spend a few thousand to get your setup done right. I could be wrong.

I can not imagine that a wood burning stove is illegal for any reason. But when the burn ban comes you should not burn. I obey them, but those do not occur very often. If you burn it really hot by adjusting the levers of the stove, it does not really emit any smoke so you can burn during the ban and it is not a big deal.

There is a fireplace shop in Kent, it has been there forever. Worth a visit, they can answer your questions I am sure. Dowell Co.

Dowell Company

[ElektroDragon]

Thanks for all the tips! Anyone else?

[scirocco22]

Here is an article that will give you a starting point. It has some good links to other informational sites:

Living | Striking an efficient balance in the wood-burning debate | Seattle Times Newspaper

[ElektroDragon]

Thanks for the link! On the inspection today we noticed what we thought was an electric fireplace is actually a gas fireplace, with a pretty nice looking flame. So we'll probably leave it alone.

[ajp2004]

Gas fireplaces are lovely. But you could accomplish the same effect by pulling a chair next to your furnace and staring at the pretty blue flame inside.....

Give me wood any day.

Just one man's opinion.

[allforcats]

Originally Posted by ElektroDragon

1) Will WA state allow me to install a wood burning fireplace again if it meets the emissions standards?

If I were you, I'd make a friend at a fireplace/woodstove store/company and start a serious conversation.

2) If its high tech and meets all the state particle emission standards, will I still be subject to these wood burning bans I keep hearing about?

Wood-burning bans are absolute. They apply to everyone for whom burning wood is not their primary source of heat.
Once in a while the constant breeze from the Pacific calms, causing pollution in the static air, a considerable respiratory danger to people of many ages and conditions.

3) Any idea how much one of those suckers might cost to install into an existing brick fireplace/chimney?

If I were in your shoes, I'd strike up a friendship with someone in a fireplace/woodstove store, and get some reliable information from the source.

Gas is interesting. Of course, the presence of actual heat in a gas fireplace depends entirely on the gas company fulfilling their promise of uninterrupted service. To get heat from a wood fireplace or stove is dependent only upon one's own actions...

[Heiwos]

I like my wood-burning fireplace, after disliking my gas fireplace in my old place. I suspect that gas is more expensive than logs. Eventually I want a wood pellet burner, since pellets seem cheap and it's waste wood. I respect the bans. They're pretty easy to tell when, usually whenever it's sunny for a few days in the winter. The county website confirms.

[skygravel]

Originally Posted by allforcats

Wood-burning bans are absolute. They apply to everyone for whom burning wood is not their primary source of heat.

Not true. Burn bans go in stages. The first stage bans outdoor burning, fireplaces, and uncertified stoves. The second stage also bans certified wood stoves and pellet stoves. You are correct that homes with wood stoves as their only heat source are exempt from burn bans.
What is a Burn Ban? | Puget Sound Clean Air Agency

[Ultrarunner]

Originally Posted by skygravel

Not true. Burn bans go in stages. The first stage bans outdoor burning, fireplaces, and uncertified stoves. The second stage also bans certified wood stoves and pellet stoves. You are correct that homes with wood stoves as their only heat source are exempt from burn bans.
What is a Burn Ban? | Puget Sound Clean Air Agency

Back in January of 07 my home was without utilities for 5 days... I have electric heat... I think we would have frozen if it wasn't for the pellet stove in the kitchen and the old fireplace with insert in the Living Room...

In my area... wood is free for the taking if you ask the property owners... there were so many downed trees from wind storms that there was no limit...

Hate to see all that wood go to waste... same CO2 released whether I burn it or it rots in forest...