EPA Proposal Will Update Emissions Requirements for New Residential Wood Heaters
On January 04, 2014, In Industry News by Greg Thompson
WASHINGTON, DC - According to a press release from the Hearth, Patio, and Barbecue Association (HPBA), an overview of proposed updates from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA shown above) would affect many categories of solid fuel burning products.
EPA officials released the formal draft of their revisions to the New Source Performance Standards for Wood Heaters (NSPS), and the proposal will be formally published in the Federal Register later this month.
Publication in the Federal Register will begin the formal comment period for which HPBA has been preparing over the last four years. The rule contains many potential…
DOE Proposal Could Hurt Hearth Industry
On January 02, 2014, In Industry News by Greg Thompson
The Department of Energy (DOE) published an unwelcome missive in the Federal Register this week, essentially proposing that hearth products qualify as a covered product under Part A of Title III of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA).
According to the Hearth, Patio, and Barbecue Association (HPBA), the proposed determination has the potential to impact even more products than the rulemakings that HPBA successfully challenged in federal court. Although there are no energy standards directly proposed or put into place by this proposal, DOE indicates adoption would be seen as “positively determin[ing] that future standards may be…
Lloyd Flanders to Open Year Round Showroom at Gardens of the America’s Mart
On December 31, 2013, In Industry News by Greg Thompson
MENOMINEE, MI - Lloyd Flanders will open a new showroom at the Gardens of the America’s Mart in Atlanta. The newly designed space will be open officially during the January Atlanta Gift Show and will be open year round.
“We are very excited to be a part of this exciting presentation in Atlanta’s America’s Mart,” says Warren Juliano, vice president and national sales manager, Lloyd Flanders. “The Gardens is staffed year around by well trained, professional managers who specialize in serving the region’s design community.”
Industry insiders and consumers will descend on Atlanta in January to see the Lloyd…
Homecrest Outdoor Living Kicks Off the Spring Selling Season
On December 30, 2013, In Industry News by Greg Thompson
WADENA, MN - With its the launch of the Lunar and Valero line of fire tables, U.S. Manufacturer Homecrest Outdoor Living LLC gets the spring selling season off in style.
The growing popularity of fire tables across North America has created unique opportunities for retailers to sell early and extend the season using these products. Homecrest continues to support those retailers with new product, finishes, and quick factory response. Both of Minnesota-based company’s new fire tables are available in chat height and are available for immediate shipment.
Homecrest’s Valero fire table features soft radius aluminum…
Housing Starts Up Almost 30%
On December 19, 2013, In Industry News by Greg Thompson
WASHINGTON, DC - A report released this week from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development revealed a jump of almost 30% in housing starts. Privately-owned housing starts in November were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,091,000. This is 22.7% (±13.2%) above the revised October estimate of 889,000, and 29.6% (±19.8%) above the November 2012 rate of 842,000.
Single-family housing starts in November were at a rate of 727,000—20.8% (±10.7%) above the revised October figure of 602,000. The November rate for units in buildings with five units or more was 354,000.
Crucial Cleaning Accessories Can Boost Sales
On December 19, 2013, In Industry News by Greg Thompson
WATERFORD, WI – Dealers looking to boost accessory sales can rely on cleaning kits for customers who wish to protect prized outdoor living products. FLITZ has a new Outdoor Living Care Kit to clean and protect multiple finishes and fabrics with a SPF of 50 to keep them looking “showroom new” for years.
The kit contains:
• 1.7-oz bottle of cleaner w/mold and mildew stain remover;
• 1.7-oz bottle furniture and spa UV protectant (SPF 50);
• 1.7-oz bottle Fabric UV Armour (SPF 50); and
• 16-inch by 16-inch thick…
Informative Infographic from SCHOTT North America Highlights Benefits of Wood Stoves
On December 17, 2013, In Industry News by Greg Thompson
ELMSFORD, NY - Patio and hearth dealers looking to illustrate the benefits of modern wood stoves can now point customers to an informative infographic, courtesy of SCHOTT North America.
The infographic (click here to see full graphic online) details the benefits of efficient wood stoves in an easy-to-read format. The graphic showcases the stove’s efficiencies, the benefits of modern wood stoves, and what users should look for when buying an EPA-certified model.
According to Karen Elder, marketing manager, Home Tech Division, SCHOTT-ROBAX, more than 12 million American households heat their homes with wood stoves, yet nine million of…
New Portable Gas Connector Allows Homeowners to Reposition Outdoor Gas Appliances
On December 13, 2013, In Industry News by Greg Thompson
EXPORT, PA - Dormont’s newest portable gas connector allows homeowners to easily connect, move, and reposition natural gas appliances around any outdoor living space.
“This is a growing trend—people using their outdoor living space for entertainment,” said Scott John, product manager for Dormont. “Our new portable gas connector allows homeowners to connect, move, and reposition a natural gas appliance where they need it. Using one of our new connectors, gas appliances such as heaters can be placed near guests while entertaining, then moved out of the way and stored elsewhere after the fact.”
A recent study by the American…
