In addition to the many wonderful education sessions planned for HPBExpo, the Government Affairs Department (GAD) has some special sessions that retailers will not want to miss. On Thursday, in the outdoor classroom, there will be a session, Predicting and Validating Draft Problems: New Software Tool Development. This session will focus on a new app, developed by Oregon State University and Lawerance Berkley National Laboratory, with funding from the Dept of Energy’s Biomass program to predict chimney draft before installation. We expect this app will help retailers explain to consumers how chimney height and other factors impact their new wood heaters. The app is still in development, and this will allow installers to review it and give feedback.
At 2:30 pm CST on Friday, GAD will present a session on new Tax Credit requirements, Building Codes, and other issues impacting your business. This will include a special update on the New Safety Standard for Inserts, which includes some new key requirements for installers. Manufacturers are beginning to list products for the new inserts, and you need to attend this session to understand how it works and what it means for existing inserts.
Every retailer and distributor who sells woodstoves will want to visit the Woodstove Demonstration Pavillion in the Outdoor Burn! Woodburning returns to HPBExpo with some of the world’s most innovative wood heating products! GAD and NFI have collaborated to present these new wood heaters for retailers and government officials attending HPBExpo.