Solid Fuel Appliances and Fireplaces
The City of Westmount has adopted a new by-law restricting the use of wood-burning appliances on its territory. The by-law targets the use of wood-burning fireplaces and is in line with the mission of the Eco-responsible Westmount Initiative and our desire to be part of the solution to the climate crisis.
As of September 1st, 2024, it will be forbidden to install or use any heating or cooking appliance or fireplace that uses solid fuel (e.g. wood-burning stove or fireplace, new or pre-existing) in all Westmount’s residential buildings, unless the appliance has an emission rate equal to or less than 2.5 grams of fine particles per hour into the atmosphere. The appliance must be certified for its emission rate by at least one of the following:
Important :
- Owners who choose not to replace their appliances or bring them up to standard will no longer be able to use them, except in the event of a power outage lasting more than 3 hours.
- The use of filters or ecological logs does not guarantee the environmental efficiency of the appliance. Only appliances that are certified (EPA or Polytest) or comply with the CSA/B415.1-10 standard are authorized.
What is a solid fuel appliance?
Solid-fuel-burning appliances are devices that burn solid materials, such as wood, coal, pellets, or other biomass, to generate heat for various purposes. These appliances are commonly used for residential heating, including wood stoves, pellet stoves, coal stoves, and masonry heaters. The heat produced by burning these solid fuels can be used to warm the living spaces in a building or for cooking.
Mandatory Declaration
All owners of solid-fuel-burning appliances or fireplaces, whether or not their appliance comply with the new by-law, must inform the City within 120 days of the by-law coming into force (i.e. before December 30, 2023) by filling out a declaration form. This declaration form can be filled out online, or can be printed and delivered in person to the Urban Planning Department at city hall (4333 Rue Sherbrooke Ouest).
Replace a non-compliant solid fuel appliance or fireplace with one that complies with the new regulations
Owners planning to replace a non-compliant solid fuel appliance or fireplace with one that complies with the new regulations must :
- Declare beforehand the non-compliant solid fuel appliance or fireplace that they wish to replace (see above);
- Apply and obtain a interior renovation permit;
- Declare within 120 days of the installation or construction of the new appliance or fireplace. This declaration can be made and submitted online (by filling out the form) or in person at the Urban Planning Department (4333, Sherbrooke W).
Installing a new appliance or solid fuel fireplace
Owners planning to install a new solid fuel appliance or fireplace must :
- Apply and obtain a interior renovation permit
- Declare within 120 days of the installation or construction of the new appliance or fireplace. This declaration can be made and submitted online (by filling out the form) or in person at the Urban Planning Department (4333, Sherbrooke W).
Other clarifications
Residential wood burning is the main source of fine particle emissions in Quebec, especially in winter. These particles are associated with respiratory and heart problems, and even premature death, since the World Health Organisation (WHO) has confirmed that the fine particles produced by fireplaces are carcinogens. Furthermore, one of the main sources of winter smog in Quebec is directly linked to burning wood. In 2020 in Montreal, 9 of the 10 smog days linked to ozone and fine particles in the air occurred in winter, the period when wood burning is most common.
The City of Westmount is joining the movement already undertaken by several cities to try to slow down the pollution caused by the use of solid-fuel appliances, as is the case for the City of Montreal, which since 2018 has banned the use of wood-burning stoves and fireplaces that emit more than 2.5 grams of fine particles per hour. Appliances built before 1990 can emit an average of 60 to 100 grams of fine particles per hour into the atmosphere.
What do you have to do if you want to continue using your wood-burning fireplace?
- Complete the mandatory declaration
You must declare your appliance before 30 December 2023. This declaration will allow the City to establish a register of solid-fuel-burning appliances used in the territory.This declaration is mandatory only if you wish to continue using your wood-burning appliance. Note that commercial establishments are not included in the by-law. - Change your wood-burning fireplace to make it compliant before 1 September 2024
With a concern for climate change and health, all wood-burning stoves and fireplaces in use will have to be modified to be certified to guarantee an emission rate equal to or less than 2.5 grams of fine particles per hour into the atmosphere.To be compliant, certification must be issued on the appliance by the professional who will be doing the work to convert the fireplace to meet the standards of the new by-laws. Contact a renovation expert who can help you.To be compliant, you can also choose to convert your wood-burning fireplace to a cleaner energy source, such as an electric fireplace. As of September 1, 2024, it will be forbidden to use any non-compliant appliance in all residential buildings in Westmount. - Get a permit
Before you can transform a fireplace, you need a permit from the city.
What do I do if I’m not using my wood-burning fireplace?
If you don’t use your wood-burning fireplace, you don’t have to do anything: you don’t have to complete the declaration or change your fireplace. You can keep your fireplace as it is.
Are electric, propane and natural gas fireplaces subject to the by-law?
No, electric, propane and natural gas fireplaces are not affected by the new by-law: you don’t have to complete the declaration or change your fireplace. You can keep your fireplace as it is.
Can I use an eco log instead of converting my wood-burning fireplace?
No, eco logs do not meet the requirements of the by-law, so certification of your appliance is mandatory.
Can I use my wood-burning fireplace this winter?
Yes, but it will have to be declared and modified to comply by September 1, 2024.
What are the consequences if I do not complete the declaration and if I continue to using a non-compliant fireplace after September 1, 2024?
All wood-burning fireplaces that are not declared may no longer be used after September 1, 2024. After that date, the use of a non-compliant fireplace is punishable by a fine of up to $4,000.
How do I know if my wood-burning fireplace is compliant?
To be compliant, the fireplace must have a certification that guarantees an emission rate equal to or less than 2.5 grams of fine particles per hour into the atmosphere. This certificate is issued by the professional, and the city will ensure that the wood-burning fireplace is compliant by noting a valid certification on the appliance.
An exception in the case of a power outage…
A non-compliant wood-burning fireplace can only be used in the event of a power cut lasting more than 3 hours.