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Solid Fuel-fired Heating Device Standards & Requirements

The solid fuel-fired heating device standards in 18 AAC 50.077 and 18 AAC 50.079 apply to devices installed or supplied, sold, leased, distributed, or conveyed for installation or operation inside the Fairbanks North Star Borough PM2.5 Nonattainment Area only.

Device Requirements
Vendors & Installers
Property Sale, Lease
Advisory Letters

ADEC-Approved New Install Device Lists: (updated 11/07/2024)

For more information regarding existing devices, visit the Real Estate Measure and Exempt Device Lists

Property Sale, Lease, or Conveyance - Changeout or Removal Requirement

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has redesignated the PM2.5 Nonattainment Area from 'moderate' to 'serious.' EPA proposed the redesignation on May 10, 2017. See: Federal Register Notice (PDF).

18 AAC 50.077 requires the change-out or removal of wood-fired heating devices not meeting emission criteria when the property where they are installed is sold, leased, or conveyed. - Effective June 9, 2017 -

18 AAC 50.079 requires the change-out or removal of coal-fired heating devices that are not EPA certified or listed with the Fairbanks North Star Borough when the property, where they are installed, is sold, leased, or conveyed - Effective January 12, 2018 -18 AAC 50.077 and 18 AAC 50.079 require that all hydronic heaters and all coal-fired heating devices (with exceptions as approved by the DEC) be removed or replaced prior to closing. Non-pellet hydronic heaters and coal-fired heating devices may not be installed within the nonattainment area. - Effective January 8, 2020 -

For more information, visit our Real Estate Measure webpage.↑

18 AAC 50.077 & 18 AAC 50.079 - Solid Fuel-Fired Heating Device Emission Standards

DEC Alaska State Standards (Inside FNSB PM2.5 Nonattainment Area Only) 18 AAC 50.077 & 18 AAC 50.079. Heaters sold for installation inside the Nonattainment Area must meet the emission standards beginning on the effective date.

Heating Device Type Particulate Matter Emission Standards for New Devices Installation Requirements Removal Requirement Effective Date
Wood-Fired Hydronic Heaters < 350,000 Btu/hr New hydronic heaters may not be sold or installed in the Nonattainment Area. Prohibited Existing devices removed and rendered inoperable by 12/31/2024 or upon conveyance as part of a real estate transaction, whichever is earlier and rendered inoperable 1/8/2020
Pellet Fueled Hydronic Heaters < 350,000 Btu/hr EPA certified AND 0.10 lbs. per million Btu of heat output for each individual burn rate. (DEC listed) Professionally Installed Non-EPA certified devices must be removed or replaced by 12/31/2024 or upon conveyance as part of a real estate transaction, whichever is earlier and rendered inoperable. 1/8/2020
May not be installed within 330 feet from closest property line or 660 feet from a school, clinic, hospital, or senior housing unit.
Woodstoves and Pellet Stoves < 350,000 Btu/hr EPA certified AND 2.0 grams per hour (DEC listed) Professionally Installed Non-EPA certified devices must be removed or replaced by 12/31/2024 or upon conveyance as part of a real estate transaction, whichever is earlier and rendered inoperable. 1/8/2020
AND not exceed 6.0 grams per hour any valid 1-hr filter pull OR TEOM data indicates that no rolling 60-minute period exceeds 4.0 grams per hour. (DEC listed) 9/1/2020
  EPA certified devices, greater than 2.0 grams per hour AND 25 years or older must be removed or replaced by 12/31/2024 or upon conveyance as part of a real estate transaction, whichever is earlier and rendered inoperable. For devices manufactured less than 25 years before the effective date of the finding, then removal is required when device is 25 years old and rendered inoperable. Effective date of an EPA published finding.
Coal-Fired Heating Devices New coal fired heaters may not be sold or installed in the Nonattainment Area. Prohibited 18 AAC 50.079(f): Except as provided under (d) or (e) of this section, the owner of an existing coal-fired heating device shall render the device inoperable by the earlier of December 31, 2024; or before the device is sold, leased, or conveyed as part of an existing building. 1/8/2020
Wood-Fired Heating Devices > 350,000 Btu/hr 0.10 lbs. per million Btu of heat output for each individual burn rate Professionally Installed Not applicable 1/8/2020

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Vendors / Installers - Solid Fuel Fired Devices

Beginning January 8, 2020 it will be unlawful to install a heating device that does not meet the emission standards or requirements in 18 AAC 50.077 & .079 in the nonattainment area. Retailers may still sell noncompliant devices to customers who verify in writing that they intend to install the device outside the area.

Other requirements that vendors and installers must meet when selling a device within the nonattainment area:

  • Registration
  • May not advertise devices prohibited for sale within the area
  • Shall provide buyer with Curtailment Information Sheet (PDF) and proper operating instructions at the time of sale.
  • Devices are properly sized for structure
  • Professional Installation

Professional Installation Requirements

Heating Device Type Professional Certification Criteria Installation & Removal Requirements
Woodstove, pellet stove, or pellet-fired hydronic heater The certification criteria in the National Fireplace Institute of Policy Handbook, revised as of November 19, 2019 or demonstrate equivalent training and qualification approved by the department.
  • Installer shall provide confirmation that device was installed correctly on form provided by department.
  • No used devices may be installed unless the device is Department Listed.
  • No sole source of heat in new construction, unless it is a dry cabin located on a two acre parcel or larger.
  • No sole source of heat in rental units unless grandfathered (previously issued NOASH waiver).
  • Pellet hydronic heaters may not be installed within 330 feet of closest property line or within 660 feet from a school, clinic, hospital, or senior housing unit.
  • Removed devices shall be rendered inoperable.
New Masonry Heaters The certification criteria in the Masonry Heater Association of North America Reference Manual, revised as of January 2019 or demonstrate equivalent training and qualification approved by the department.
  • Installer shall provide confirmation that device was installed correctly on form provided by department.
  • Removed devices shall be rendered inoperable.
Retrofit Control Devices Certification criteria as described above or be representatives trained by the manufacturer.
  • Installer shall provide confirmation that device was installed correctly on form provided by department.
  • Removed devices shall be rendered inoperable.
Cord wood hydronic heaters May not be sold for installation in the nonattainment area
  • May not be installed.
  • Removed devices shall be rendered inoperable.
Coal-fired devices May not be sold for installation in the nonattainment area
  • May not be installed.
  • Removed devices shall be rendered inoperable.

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Advisory Letters

In an effort to provide information about requirements before they are activated, DEC has reached out to Solid-Fuel Heating Device Vendors. See documents below:

Manufacturers and Vendors web page

Staff Contact:

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Department of Environmental Conservation

Mailing Address:  P.O. Box 111800
Juneau, Alaska 99811
Location:  410 Willoughby Avenue, Juneau