Function

• Almost all coal used in the U.S. is used for energy production by utility companies or industrial plants that generate their own power. The coal creates steam that drives turbines. The plants must meet the Clean Air Act standards for emissions. Wood stoves in homes can burn coal and some stoves are specially designed for burning coal.
  
  

Considerations

• Winter air pollution can be a problem in urban areas that experience weather inversions. In order to prevent carbon monoxide and particulate pollution, cities can declare "no burn days" during which residents cannot use wood- or coal-burning stoves, unless the units are approved by the EPA.
  
  

Benefits

• EPA-approved stoves are the most energy-efficient wood- and coal-burning stoves. Almost all the heat value from the coal burned stays in the home. These stoves have secondary air intake vents or catalytic converters that burn the gases almost completely. Little heat or pollution goes up the chimney.