OUTDOOR WOOD BOILERS ILLEGAL TO OPERATE

As fuel prices rise, people look for ways to save on the costs of heating their homes.  Recently, using outdoor wood-fired boilers (OWB) has become increasingly popular.  While there are no laws in Maryland that prevent these boilers from being sold, they are illegal to construct and operate.

OWB are illegal to use in Maryland, and other Northeast states, but there are no regulations prohibiting or controlling the sale of OWB in this state. Air regulations prohibit the construction of OWB in Maryland.

Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) has been responding to an increase in nuisance complaints from communities about smoke from outdoor wood boilers (OWB). OWBs are found mostly in rural areas of Maryland where wood and wood waste are available as a primary fuel source.

OWBs are any furnace or boiler designed to burn wood where the unit is not located within a building intended for habitation by people or domestic animals. They typically look like sheds or small utility buildings with a smoke stack. People install OWBs on their property to heat their homes, outbuildings, and pools or to provide hot water.

The problem is they really do smoke, even when the owner is burning seasoned wood, there can be significant smoke.

During the winter, neighbors of people who have OWB, are more tolerant of the smoke because they understand that folks have to heat their homes. But some people use the boilers in the warmer months to heat their pools or provide hot water. People are less tolerant when the smoke comes into neighboring houses when the windows are open.

These units can produce thick smoke and creosote that can contain unhealthy levels of air pollutants, including significant amounts of particles. Exposure to these particles can trigger or aggravate respiratory problems such as asthma and emphysema or even cardiovascular problems. They can be so small that it behaves much like gases in that they can penetrate into homes even when windows and doors are closed. Since most OWBs are close to the homes they heat and have very short stacks, there is a greater risk for the smoke to pose a health hazard for those who live near them.

If the Health Department receives a valid complaint about one of these units, we will refer it to the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE).  Penalties of up to $25,000 can be assessed if MDE takes the matter to court.  If a unit is causing a problem MDE can issues an order to shut it down.  There have also been private legal actions initiated between property owners.

If you would like more information concerning OWB, you may call MDE at 410 537-3215 or the Harford County Health Department at 443-643-0335.