What’s the big deal about wood-burning fireplaces?

You may notice that listings for older Manhattan Beach homes highlight a “wood-burning fireplace.” A fireplace that can burn real logs is becoming a scarce feature in homes throughout the South Bay, because they aren’t building them anymore. For a number of reasons (cost, convenience, complaints from neighbors about chimneys blocking their views), builders of newer homes have been opting to install fireplaces that burn natural gas. Now there is no choice. As of March 9, 2009, it is illegal to build a wood-burning fireplace in a new Manhattan Beach home.

The South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) adopted Rule 445 in March, 2008 to take effect the following year. This rule applies within the South Coast Air Basin portion of the South Coast Air Quality Management District, which includes Manhattan Beach. According to AQMD Rule 445, “No person shall install a permanently installed wood burning device into any new development.” The intent of this rule is to “reduce the emission of particulate matter from wood burning devices.” According to the AQMD’s Healthy Hearths literature, “Wood smoke contains gases and tiny particles known as PM2.5 that lodge deep in your lungs and can be harmful to your health.” As an incentive to households in the affected area, the AQMD offered $125 to each of the first 5,000 residents to install gas log sets to replace wood-burning in existing fireplaces.

They are disappearing.

The supply of existing homes with wood burning fireplaces is being reduced. Even in Southern California, where fireplaces are not frequently used, some residents prefer the crackle and aroma of a wood fire. As demand exceeds supply, homes with wood-burning fireplaces are likely to bring a higher price (or rent), at least for a few years. In November, 2011 the AQMD may restrict burning wood in your legal, existing fireplace.