Gayle Rich-Boxman, Broker with Vernonia Realty

Your Gateway to Fishhawk Lake!

New Certified Woodstove, Home for Sale,  71624 Fishhawk Rd.

There’s a new law in town, one that’s fightin’ to get rid of  those gosh darn ole woodstoves hangin’ around! Any lawabiding citizen in Oregon may think that they can take matters into their own hands, but before you do, know the FACTS.

Just the Facts Ma’am:

1. As of August 1, 2010, the state of Oregon put into effect a new law that requires a seller to remove and destroy an uncertified woodstove or fireplace insert. 
2. It has to be certified  by DEQ, the Department of Environmental Quality (state of Oregon) or EPA, the Environmental Protection Agency (national).
3. Go to: www.oregon.gov/DEQ/aq/burning/woodstoves for more information
4. You can also check DEQ’s webpage to see if your wood heating device is listed on the EPA’s or the DEQ’s certification list: www.deq.state.or.us/aq/burning/woodstoves/heatSmart.htm It will have a label/metal for example, with the date of manufacture (US EPA cert label, for example) or one that shows the Certified Test Performance (Oregon DEQ cert label)
5. If your wood heating device is NOT CERTIFIED by either of these two agencies, you are responsible for removing and destroying it prior to the close of the sale.* (see below) The certification sticker is located on the back of the stove from only the two agencies above. A safety label in not the same as the DEQ or EPA certification
6. If your stove does NOT have a label, you cannot get it certified! And you can’t sell it–sorry!
7. To remove your woodstove, etc. you can remove it yourself OR contact your local woodstove retailer or chimney sweep company who may be able to remove and destroy the stove for you.  You MUST NOTIFY DEQ prior to the close of the sale of your home. How to do this: submit woodstove  form online to the DEQ. You can find this form on:www.deq.state.or.us/aq/burning/woodstoves/heatSmart.htm OR: you can print out a paper form from this website and and fax it to: (503) 229-5675 OR: mail it to: Oregon DEQ–Heat Smart Notification Form, 811 SW Sixth Ave, Portland, OR 97204
8. The seller has to give the buyer the seller’s disclosure form indicating whether there is a wood burning device on the property and if so, it is up to the seller to remove and dispose of it * UNLESS the seller and buyer agree IN WRITING that it will be the buyer’s responsibility to remove and destroy the stove and the buyer must remove it within 30 days after the closing date of the sale.    The buyer also needs to obtain a receipt indicating that the seller has destroyed the stove and submit notification to the DEQ, if the seller has removed/disposed of it.
9. Exemptions: pellet stoves, central wood fired furnaces, antique stoves, masonry fireplaces and masonry heaters.
10. “Residential Structures”-this includes one+ dwellings that are four stories or less above grade, condos, rental unit or something similar that is part of a larger structure, modular homes constructed “off site”, manufactured homes, floating homes.  This includes a garage or a shop–all buildings on the property that are being sold.

But Wait, There’s More!!

These are a concern because they burn about 70% dirtier. They’re less efficient, require more fuel (i.e., cost more money!) can pose more fire hazards and may have been installed improperly.  As a result of this new law, we will experience cleaner air and safer homes.

Excerpt from National Property Inspection’s Monthly Newsletter, February 2011

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends that your wood-burning appliance be professionally installed by a certified technician to insure its safety and proper performance. Once your wood-burning appliance is properly installed, use these practical tips while using it:

• Season wood outdoors through the summer for 6 months before burning it.
• Burn only dry, well-seasoned wood that has been split properly.
• Start fires with newspaper and dry kindling.
• Regularly remove ashes into a metal container with a cover and store outdoors.
• Keep a fire extinguisher on hand.
• Keep all flammable household items (drapes, furniture, newspaper, etc.) away from the appliance.
• Keep the doors of your wood-burning appliance closed unless loading or stoking the live fire.
• Install and maintain a smoke alarm.
• Install and maintain a carbon monoxide detector. 

For more information, go to www.epa.gov.

So, if you’re in a quandary as to whether or not this means YOU, just call me before you list your property (503) 755-2905 and we can go over it. As the seller, you can also just remove and dispose of it without anything further or you can offer a credit for a new certified stove to the buyer or you can dicker over the price, or or or…so many choices! But, if you have a 25-year-old woodstove sitting in your oh-so-cozy cabin, don’t take the law into your own hands, call your expert at the Lake–me if you aren’t sure what to do!!!

For listings and more,  please see my website: www.lakehomesatfishhawk.com