How Do I Get My Wood Stove WETT Certified

 

 

Clearing Up A Common Misconception

 

One of the challenges WETT faces is trying to help homeowners understanding what WETT doe s. Most often, homeowners hear about WETT because their insurance company has asked they have their appliance WETT certified.

 

WETT is a training organization. As such, they train people who wish to get involved with the sale, installation, inspection and maintenance of wood heating appliances. Once people complete the training programs and declare experience, they become WETT certified in the specific area for which they sought training. WETT certification implies they have met the educational and experience requirements.

 

WETT currently does not prescribe any specific inspection process. Inspections are completed by WETT certified members for a variety of purposes including:

  1. Insurance requirements.
  2. Code compliance.
  3. Emissions control.
  4. Safety.
  5. Checking for signs of deterioration or malfunction.

As such, there is no such thing as a specific WETT inspection. Inspections are one of many services performed by WETT certified professionals.

 

Neither the installation nor the appliance can be WETT certified. They can, however, be inspected for a variety of purposes, but there is no such thing as a WETT certified appliance. An appliance can be inspected, installed and even maintained by a WETT certified professional, but it cannot be WETT certified, nor can a WETT certified member issue “WETT certificates. Only a certification agency such as ULC, CSA, WH and Omni can test and list wood burning appliances and venting systems and authorize them to display the logo of the certification agency.

 

Typically, when people are looking for an insurance type of inspection, a visual inspection is conducted to determine if there is evidence of any visual problem with the installation. This includes examining:

  1. Clearances.
  2. Chimney heights.
  3. Visual signs of deterioration and damage.

If there are concerns identified, then the inspector will make a recommendation that the appliance be checked and, if necessary, repaired by a WETT certified technician or sweep.