If you have any wood-burning appliances in your home, you may want to consider having a regular WETT Inspection. A WETT inspection, also referred to as Wood Energy Technology Transfer Inspection (WETT), involves a certified technician coming into your home to inspect your wood-burning appliances to ensure that they are up to all compliance standards.
In other words, the inspection is designed to ensure that your wood-burning appliances are safe for use.
What is considered a wood-burning appliance?
Wood-burning appliances are often used to heat people’s homes. They may be used as a primary heat source or used to supplement the main heat source. In some cases, wood-burning appliances are not used for heating at all and create a relaxing atmosphere and ambience.
There are lots of different types of wood-burning appliances that you may find within a home. Fireplaces, wood and gas stoves, and pellet stoves are all considered wood-burning appliances. Hydronic heaters, masonry heaters, and forced air furnaces are also examples of wood-burning appliances, as are fireplaces with decorative logs.
Why do I need a WETT inspection?
When you have a wood-burning appliance in your home, WETT inspections are essential for your and your family’s safety. Not only are wood-burning appliances a fire hazard, but they also have the potential to release harmful pollutants into your air. A WETT inspector can look at your appliances to ensure that they are operating properly and are safe for continued use in your home.
WETT inspections are crucial in older homes or cottages with wood-burning appliances, as many of these appliances can be older and do not meet current standards. It’s essential to make sure all appliances are running properly, in good condition, and are safe for you and your family to use.
If you are purchasing a new home, you may be required by your insurance company to have a WETT inspection as part of your home inspection. Many insurance companies now require all wood-burning appliances within a home to be professionally inspected before providing any home insurance.
What does a WETT Inspection involve?
For WETT inspections to be valid, they must be conducted by a certified WETT inspector. This means that they have the experience and training to understand the workings of all types of wood-burning appliances.
During a WETT inspection, your inspector will do a visual inspection of all wood-burning appliances, as well as a check to ensure that they are correctly installed. They will also be checking to make sure that all installations and products are up to code standards and are installed to building codes and regulations.
During your inspection, the inspector will also be looking closely to ensure that there are no combustible materials near your wood-burning appliances that may be a fire hazard. If any problems are found, suggestions will be made as to how to proceed.
Types of WETT professionals
When it comes to WETT inspectors, it’s important to note that there are different types of certifications:
SITE Basic Inspectors are certified to perform level 1 inspections on your wood-burning appliances. They may not, however, complete any maintenance or repairs. All maintenance and repair suggestions must be included in a report and passed onto a certified Technician.
Technicians can complete level 1 and 2 inspections of your wood-burning appliances and are also certified to complete maintenance and repairs.
Chimney sweepers are certified to perform maintenance and cleaning on your entire wood-burning system, as well as perform a level 1 and 2 inspections.
SITE Comprehensive Inspectors can perform level 1, 2, and 3 inspections. They can also do any technician jobs and sweeps.
Always ensure that the technician (not just the company) you are hiring is WETT inspection certified. All certified WETT inspectors will be issued a picture ID card with a sticker for the current year. You can also validate that they are certified by checking the WETT website, or by calling the WETT main office.
What is the average cost of a WETT inspection in Canada?
The cost of WETT inspections can vary greatly depending on who you hire to do the job. Because there is no set standard for WETT inspection costs, certified inspectors can charge whatever they like.
With that being said, most WETT inspections will charge based on the number of appliances being inspected. You should expect to pay around $250 for your first appliance inspection and about $150 for each appliance thereafter.
Again, this fee can vary significantly from technician to technician, so shop around if you are not happy with your quote.
In conclusion, WETT inspections are essential for the health and safety of you and your family. Wood-burning appliances can be a great addition to your home, but they can also be a health and safety hazard. Regular checks and maintenance of your wood-burning appliances can help ensure that they are up to standards and safe for continued use within your home.
