With smoke from burning wood causing health problems around the region, it’s no wonder Metro Vancouver is looking at clamping down on fireplaces in homes.
According to their research, indoor residential wood burning is responsible for more than a quarter of the fine particle emissions in the region — greater even than trucks. These fine particles can cause respiratory illnesses and heart issues, particularly for infants, the elderly and people with heart and lung conditions, so it makes sense to stop this pollution.
And for those who still own and use fireplaces in their older homes, the good news is you have several years to get adjusted to the new rules, at least as they have been drafted thus far.
If the proposed regs are approved, that indoor residential wood burning will be restricted starting May 2020 to stop people from lighting fires in their homes between May 15 and Sept. 15 when, frankly, it’s not needed because of warm temperatures.
Two years later, in September 2022, people will be asked to begin replacing their wood-burning appliances to make sure they are up to date and clean, with certain registration requirements and restrictions.
Finally, starting in September 2025, unregistered appliances will be banned, except for certain circumstances.
This means people who still enjoy wood burning have until September 2025 to get organized on this front, either buying a safe and efficient appliance and registering it, or leaving the fireplace cavity empty.
Sure, this move by Metro Vancouver does affect individual lifestyles and use of private property. Who doesn’t like to put their toes up next to a roaring fire? But it’s well known that fireplaces are an inefficient source of heat and if people are getting sick from the smoke, we’ll have to take one for the team and stop burning wood.
Arguably, replacing a wood-burning fireplace with gas or a fireplace insert could get costly but it’s something that needs to be done in an urban area where we all live so close together.
A cheaper choice could be to place a set of nice candles in the empty cavity. They won’t warm the toes but the effort will make you feel better about doing the right thing for your neighbours.
