Jul 5 2005
Hearth & Home Technologies Inc., the world’s largest fireplace manufacturer and a subsidiary of HNI Corporation, announced that it is teaming up with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Hearth, Patio and Barbecue Association (HPBA) and other woodstove manufacturers to help replace outdated wood burning stoves in Libby, Mont. with modern EPA-certified woodstoves.
Researchers indicate that about 80 percent of fine particle pollution in the Libby area comes from residential wood smoke from outdated woodstoves, fireplaces and outdoor wood heaters.
As a part of the Lincoln County Woodstove Changeout Program, Hearth & Home Technologies is making the largest total manufacturer contribution with 75 Quadra-Fire® brand EPA-certified woodstoves, as well as funds to help cover installation costs. They will be made available free of charge to lower-income Libby-area residents willing to replace their existing wood stove. The new stoves will increase heating efficiency and reduce fine particle pollution by using advance combustion technology to burn the smoke that would otherwise build creosote in the chimney and pollute the air.
“We are proud to proactively support the Libby Woodstove Changeout Program,” said Brad Determan, President, Hearth & Home Technologies. “Our Quadra-Fire woodstoves will help create cleaner air for Libby residents, as well as set an important example of how government and industry can voluntarily work together to make a positive difference. We hope this project serves as a case study for the rest of the country to follow."
The changeout will occur in two phases and ultimately replace 1,300 stoves. This Hearth & Home Technologies donation will go towards the first phase which involves replacing 300 woodstoves by the end of July 2005. Lincoln County Woodstove Changeout is part of the Great American Woodstove Changeout Campaign, EPA’s national effort to reduce pollution by replacing older woodstoves with cleaner-burning EPA-certified woodstoves, pellet stoves or fireplace inserts, or with electric or gas heating units.
For more information on the Woodstove Changeout, go to www.woodstovechangeout.org.
Hearth & Home Technologies is the world’s largest fireplace manufacturer and a leading provider of hearth products for the home. Through the company’s Heat & Glo™, Heatilator® and Quadra-Fire brands, it offers hearth solutions to fit the role of a fireplace in any home. More information can be found at www.hearthnhome.com.