How to Look Up Your Wood Stove in the EPA Certified Database

The EPA's Certified Wood Heater Database is the authoritative public record of certified wood stoves, pellet stoves, and fireplace inserts. Knowing how to use it correctly — and what to do when a search comes up empty — is essential for homeowners applying for permits and buyers evaluating an existing installation.

How to Access the Database

The EPA Certified Wood Heater Database is maintained at EPA.gov. To find it:

1. Go to EPA.gov and search for "Certified Wood Heater Database"
2. Or search Google for "EPA certified wood heater database" — the EPA.gov result should appear first
3. The database page allows you to search by manufacturer name, brand name, model name, or type of appliance

The database is free to use and requires no registration. It's updated regularly as new certifications are issued and old ones expire.

What to Search For

You'll need at least one of these to search effectively:

• Brand or manufacturer name — e.g., "Jøtul," "Lopi," "Regency," "Vermont Castings," "Hearthstone," "Vogelzang," "US Stove"
• Model name or number — found on the data plate inside the stove door or on the back panel
• Certification number — found on the EPA label on the back or underside of the stove (if available)

Start with the manufacturer name. If you get too many results, add the model name to narrow them. The database returns a list of matching products with their certification date, emission rate, and certification status (active or expired).

Reading the Search Results

For each appliance, the database shows:

• Brand/model name
• Manufacturer
• Emission rate (in g/hr) — lower is cleaner; Phase 2 requires ≤ 2.0 g/hr
• Certification date — a date before May 15, 2020 usually indicates Phase 1 certification
• Fuel type (wood, pellet, etc.)
• Appliance type (heater, insert, fireplace)
• Certification status — active certifications are currently valid; some older entries may show as expired

For your stove to be acceptable for a new installation permit, it should appear in the database with an active Phase 2 certification (or a Phase 2 certification date on or after May 15, 2020) and an emission rate of ≤ 2.0 g/hr.

What to Do When Your Stove Isn't in the Database

The database has gaps — particularly for older stoves certified before the EPA's electronic record-keeping was fully established, and for some international brands that sold in the U.S. market. If your stove doesn't appear:

1. Try alternative spellings of the brand or model name
2. Search by parent company — many brands are owned by larger companies (e.g., Lopi is made by Travis Industries; Regency is made by FPI Fireplace Products)
3. Check the physical label on the stove — the certification number and date on the label are authoritative even if the database entry is missing. A building inspector can accept the physical label without a database confirmation in most jurisdictions.
4. Contact the manufacturer directly with the model number. Major manufacturers maintain certification records and can provide documentation letters if the database entry is missing.

Using Database Results for Your Permit Application

When you apply for a wood stove installation permit, you'll need to provide the EPA certification number. Find it on:

• The EPA certification label on the stove's back or underside (most reliable)
• The database search result for your model
• The stove's original packaging or owner's manual

Write the certification number down before your permit appointment. Some building departments also want the emissions rate (g/hr) — you can get this from the label or the database.