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Appendix A3

ACC, ESP and Catalyst technologies - Indicative performance ranges compiled by GPT v5

Indicative performance ranges are compiled from peer‑reviewed studies, technical guidelines and product documentation. For combined options, overall reduction is calculated as sequential residual removal: Combined = 1 − (1 − A)x(1 − B). Values will vary with stove design, fuel, operation and installation. See references [1–15], at the end of A3.
Table 5: Comparison of ACC, ESP and Catalyst, including combined options
Technology
PM reduction
CO reduction
OGC reduction
Efficiency impact
Maturity & availability
Approx. cost
ACC (automatic air control)
≈30–60% [1,2,3]
≈30–50% [1]
≈30–50% [1]
Often +5–10% (steadier combustion) [1,4]
Built into many modern stoves (Quadra‑Fire ACC, Aduro‑tronic, Scan Zensoric) [4–6]
Integrated in stove price (ACC-equipped models ≈$2.6k–$3.9k) [7,8]
ESP (electrostatic precipitator)
≈70–95% [9–11]
~0% [1]
~0% [1]
Neutral [9]
Commercial retrofits (OekoTube, Airjekt 1) [9,11]
≈€1,900–€2,700 device + install [10,12,13]
Oxidation catalyst (internal/­retrofit)
≈30–66% (mass) [14]
≈60–87% [14]
≈20–80% (esp. WSCOC/PAHs) [14]
Often +5–10% (smoke oxidation) [15]
Catalytic stoves & retrofits available [1,15]
Retrofit ≈€400+; replacements $100–$700 [16,13]
ACC + ESP
≈92% (from residuals) [1,9]
≈40% (from ACC) [1]
≈40% (from ACC) [1]
Like ACC; ESP neutral [1,9]
Mature combo [1,9]
Sum of above
ACC + Catalyst
≈73% (from residuals) [1,14]
≈85% (from residuals) [1,14]
≈70% (from residuals) [1,14]
Often higher than ACC alone [15]
Mature combo [1,14,15]
Sum of above
ESP + Catalyst
ESP for PM + Catalyst for gases; recommended combined mitigation [3,14,17]
Strong (via catalyst) [14]
Strong (via catalyst) [14]
Neutral to slight increase
Widely feasible (retrofits) [9,11,14,17]
Sum of above

Lifetime & maintenance

ACC (automatic air control)

What to expect: Stabilizes combustion across phases, reducing user error. [1,3,4]
Lifetime: Integrated in appliance; no consumables. [4–6]
Maintenance: Keep air paths clean and use dry wood; primary measures first. [1,3]

ESP (electrostatic precipitator)

What to expect: Large PM mass reduction (~80–85% typical in field), minimal effect on gases. [9,11]
Lifetime: No sacrificial media; periodic cleaning prevents efficiency drop. [11]
Maintenance: Clean during chimney sweeping; requires 230 V and weather protection for rooftop units. [9]

Oxidation catalyst

What to expect: Very strong CO and WSCOC/PAH reduction; PM mass also reduced in studies. [14]
Lifetime: Catalyst deactivates over time (fouling/thermal shock); typical replacement ~6 years. [16]
Maintenance: Use seasoned wood; avoid painted/treated fuels. Many retrofits include a bypass for lighting/refueling. [15]

Appendix 3 - references

[1] IEA Bioenergy Task 32. "Design of Low Emission Wood Stoves – Technical Guidelines" (Oct 2022). https://www.ieabioenergy.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/IEA-Bioenergy-Task-32_Report-D1-2_Low-emission-wood-stove-design_final.pdf (accessed 2025‑09‑19).
[2] IEA Bioenergy. "Technical Guidelines for the Design of Low Emission Wood Stoves" (Nov 2022). https://www.ieabioenergy.com/blog/publications/technical-guidelines-for-the-design-of-low-emission-wood-stoves/ (accessed 2025‑09‑19).
[3] TFZ / BIOS et al. "Guidelines for Low Emission and High Efficiency Stove Concepts" (WoodStoves2020, 2017). https://www.tfz.bayern.de/mam/cms08/en/dateien/stoves2020-guidelines_low_emission_concepts.pdf (accessed 2025‑09‑19).
[4] Quadra‑Fire. "Automatic Combustion Control (ACC)" overview. https://forgenflame.com/pages/quadra-fire-key-technologies-automatic-combustion-control (accessed 2025‑09‑19).
[5] Aduro A/S. "Aduro‑tronic automatic air regulation". https://www.adurofire.com/aduro-stoves/aduro-tronic-automatic/ (accessed 2025‑09‑19).
[6] Scan Stoves. "Zensoric automatic air regulation for wood stoves". https://www.scan-stoves.com/zensoric (accessed 2025‑09‑19).
[7] Quadra‑Fire 4300 Step Top – retailer page with pricing. https://woodheat.com/stoves/wood-stoves/quadra-fire-4300-step-top (accessed 2025‑09‑19).
[8] Quadra‑Fire 5700 Step Top – manufacturer pricing overview. https://forgenflame.com/products/quadra-fire-5700-step-top-wood-stove (accessed 2025‑09‑19).
[9] OekoSolve. "OekoTube – Electrostatic filter for wood burning stoves". https://oekosolve.com/en/products/esp-for-lounge-wood-heating/oekotube/ (accessed 2025‑09‑19).
[11] TFZ Merkblatt (July 2025). "Precipitation efficiency of an electrostatic precipitator under real life conditions during two heating periods". https://www.tfz.bayern.de/publikationen/merkblaetter/384347/index.php (accessed 2025‑09‑19).
[12] Kutzner + Weber Airjekt 1 – price listings. https://www.idealo.de/preisvergleich/Liste/120752098/airjekt-1-von-kutzner-weber.html (accessed 2025‑09‑19).
[13] Schornsteinmarkt / Feuerdepot shop listings (examples for ESP and components). https://www.feuerdepot.de/partikelabscheider/feinstaubabscheider-airjekt-1-outdoor-top-mit-wetterschutzkasten-kutzner-und-weber/ (accessed 2025‑09‑19).
[14] Laboureur, M. et al. "Abatement of Emissions of a Residential Wood Stove: Effect of the Catalyst …" ACS Omega (June 11, 2025). https://pubs.acs.org/doi/pdf/10.1021/acsomega.5c00854 (accessed 2025‑09‑19).
[15] Applied Ceramics. "Benefits to Using a Catalytic Woodstove" (product/technical overview). https://appliedceramics.com/products/hearth-products/benefits-to-using-a-catalytic-woodstove (accessed 2025‑09‑19).