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
What Mason Contractors Don't Know Is Costing Them Money
July 2026

Most mason contractors can tell you exactly what a job should cost before it starts. Bid labor hours, material takeoffs, and crew rates per square foot. The numbers are on paper, and they look right. What most can't tell you is whether those numbers held

Erin Koets
Build Smart
MAP Partner
Read More
Preserving Masonry Aesthetics with Concealed Lintel Systems
July 2026

Masonry has long been valued for its ability to create buildings with character, permanence, and visual appeal. Features such as arches, deep reveals, corbelling, and decorative brickwork continue to be popular design elements in modern architecture. Howe

Erica Oliveraz
MAP Partner
Read More
The Sync Up: Aligning Schedule, Labor, and Logistics in Masonry
July 2026

A masonry contractor is only as good as the crew standing on the staging. You can source the highest-grade block, line up the perfect mix, and have every submittal approved weeks in advance, but production ultimately depends on the stamina, skill, and phy

Shayne Sanders
MAP Partner
Sponsored
Read More
Color Trends Shaping Today’s Masonry Projects
July 2026

Homeowners today are coming into projects with a lot more opinions than they used to have. Between social media, home shows and contractor sites, most customers already have a look in mind before you even quote the job. For masonry contractors, having a

Chad Riley
Stone Savvy
MAP Partner
Read More