Masonry Magazine December 2010 Page. 28
CHIMNEYS & FIREPLACES
In May 2010, the EPA officially recognized Clear Skies Unlimited at its annual EPA Clean Air Excellence Awards Ceremony in Washington, D.C., by awarding its 2009 Clean Air Excellence Award for dedication to excellence in achieving clean air through new technology development. Clear Skies won the award based on the projected impact that the revolutionary HearthCAT Wood Burning Fireplace Emission Control Technology would have on future wood burning fireplace emissions nationwide.
Clear Skies Unlimited Inc. is a New Mexico small business, specializing in innovative catalytic solutions for the most challenging air quality problems. The Clear Skies wood burning fireplace technology reduces particulate emissions in wood burning fireplaces by as much as 90 percent. The HearthCAT System has reduced PM2.5 in Isokern Modular Masonry Fireplaces to 2.9 g/kg, well below the EPA fireplace program Phase 2 emissions level of 5.1 g/kg. The HearthCAT-equipped Isokern Fireplaces are the only clean-burning masonry fireplaces currently qualified under the EPA Fireplace Program. The HearthCAT also has been successfully tested and qualified in FMI factory-built fireplaces. The HearthCAT-equipped FMI Craftsman 36 is the most affordable of any of the EPA Phase II Qualified Wood Burning Fireplaces, and the HearthCAT™-equipped FMI Georgian 50 is the "World's Cleanest Burning 50" fireplace.
HearthCAT technology is thought to have unlimited potential, since it can be used in new construction or fireplace retro-fits, and in both open-hearth masonry and low-mass fireplaces. The HearthCAT is now approved for installation across the country, including most of the major air districts in California.
Clear Skies is distributing the HearthCAT System for masonry fireplace construction through the Whitacre Greer Co. in Alliance, Ohio. The masonry fireplace industry should be making plans now to address the regulations proposed by the EPA, before the masonry fireplace literally becomes a thing of the past. IMAS
Dave Kelly is VP of sales and marketing with Clear Skies Unlimited.