EPA Presents Prestigious Clean Air Excellence Award to Clear Skies Unlimited

Words: David Kelly
/Public/News/20100702100000-1.jpg" width="530" height="298" border="0" alt="The HearthCATâ„¢ System from Clear Skies Unlimited.">
The HearthCATâ„¢ System from Clear Skies Unlimited.

For the first time since 1988, the EPA is revising the New Source Performance Standard for allowable emissions. They are including wood burning fireplaces in this revision and have created a test and certification program for every type of wood burning fireplace including masonry. According to EPA, by 2012, all wood burning fireplaces will be required to meet the new NSPS requirement projected @ 5.1 grams of particulates for each kilogram of wood burned (g/kg). A traditional masonry fireplace emits 12-15 g/kg of particulates. If a masonry fireplace doesn’t meet the new standard, it can’t be legally installed or operated. Needless to say, this new EPA Standard will have a significant impact on the entire wood burning masonry fireplace industry.

Clear Skies Unlimited has been working with EPA for years in developing a technology that would reduce particulates in masonry fireplaces below the new 5.1 g/kg limit. Clear Skies recently received the prestigious 2009 Clean Air Excellence Award from the US Environmental Protection Agency for their efforts. The US EPA officially recognized Clear Skies Unlimited at the annual EPA Clean Air Excellence Awards Ceremony in Washington, DC for its dedication to excellence in achieving clean air through new technology development. The Clean Air Excellence Award went to Clear Skies Unlimited based on the projected impact that their revolutionary HearthCATâ„¢ Wood Burning Fireplace Emission Control Technology will have on future wood burning fireplace emissions nationwide.

The HearthCAT technology reduces particulate emissions in wood burning fireplaces by as much as 90 percent. The HearthCATâ„¢ System has reduced PM2.5 in Isokern Modular Masonry Fireplaces to 2.9 g/kg, well below the EPA voluntary program Phase 2 emissions level of 5.1 g/kg. The HearthCATâ„¢-equipped Isokern Masonry Fireplaces are the cleanest burning open hearth fireplaces currently qualified under EPA’s new fireplace qualification program. The HearthCATâ„¢ technology has been successfully tested in masonry fireplaces for retro-fit applications and new construction. The HearthCATâ„¢ was recently approved wood burning fireplace retro-fit applications in most of the major air districts in California. The system is installed in under an hour, requires no power, is maintenance free and is affordable to the consumer.

Clear Skies has recently established the Whitacre Greer Company in Alliance, Ohio as the Master Distributor for the nationwide introduction of this technology to the masonry fireplace new construction market. The HearthCATâ„¢ System is the only passive technology that currently meets the new EPA performance requirement for masonry fireplace emissions. The technology is being very well received by masons and masonry contractors nationwide.

For more information visit www.clearskiesunlimited.com
How I plan to live to 130
November 2026

While talking with one of our mechanics about the importance of changing the oil and keeping equipment greased, a thought occurred to me. These simple maintenance habits keep equipment running smoothly and help prevent breakdowns when you can least afford

Damian Lang
Contractor Tip of the Month
Read More
The Frustration Of Firefighting
November 2026

I find it fascinating what happens when an owner or executive leader walks into a struggling project. Morale picks up. Production improves. People communicate better. Meetings get sharper. Problems that have been sitting around for two weeks suddenly get

Corey Adams
Building More
Read More
Motivate With Money!
November 2026

I get asked about employee incentive and profit-sharing programs with every contractor I coach. Construction business owners seem to be looking for the magic bullet that will motivate their people to work harder and produce more. Some hope that providing

George Hedley
Business Building
Read More
Manufacturer Relationships
November 2026

As a contractor, the last person I wanted to see in my office was a salesman or a sales representative. Now that I better understand being a manufacturer, I see it in a different light. As a contractor, you can control the purchasing of material, understa

Steve Fechino
Fechino Files
Read More