What is WETT: Wood Energy Technology Transfer?

Wood Energy Technology Transfer Inc. (WETT Inc.) is a non-profit training and education association which functions as the national registrar of the WETT program to promote the safe and effective use of wood burning systems in Canada. The Wood Energy Technical Training program is designed to:

  • “provide training to those who offer wood energy products and installation and maintenance services to the public and to those who conduct inspections of wood burning systems,
  • confirm and recognize the knowledge and skills acquired through field experience, self-study and successful completion of WETT courses by issuing certificates of qualification,
  • provide training to specialty audiences as the need and demand arises.”

A WETT inspection includes a thorough inspection of all wood burning appliances such as stoves and open fireplaces, by a certified WETT inspector, to ensure that they have been properly installed and are properly and safely operating. Oftentimes a buyer’s insurer will require a WETT certificate as a condition of insuring the property. Wood burning appliances aren’t restricted to recreational properties. Many urban properties have wood burning appliances including wood burning fireplaces.

Here’s a sample form of provision that I use when my purchaser clients are buying properties with wood burning appliances:

“The Seller, at his expense, agrees to deliver to the Buyer at least x days before closing a Wood Energy Technology Certificate issued by a Wood Energy Technology Transfer certified inspector or the fire department confirming that any wood burning appliances, fireplaces, fireplace inserts and wood stoves located on the Property have been properly installed and maintained and comply with current fire and building code regulations. In the event that the certificate discloses any deficiencies, the Seller agrees to rectify them prior to closing at the Seller’s expense and to provide a new or updated Wood Energy Technology Transfer certificate which so provides.

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