Espar Heater Systems says three of its heaters are the first such products to receive certification for the California Air Resource Board’s ULEV II (Ultra Low Emission Vehicle) idling emissions reduction requirements. Compliance has been reached by the Airtronic D2 (small bunk heater), Airtronic D4 (large bunk heater), and the Hydronic 5 (engine pre-heater).

On January 1, 2008 all fuel-fired heaters (bunk heaters and engine pre-heaters) used in California will have to meet the new rules. All class-8 trucks and other commercial vehicles, anything with a GVW over 10,000 lb, will have to comply.

No trucks will be allowed to idle for more than 5 minutes in California as of that date. Trucks traveling into the state will have to have an automatic shutdown switch that will activate at the 5-minute interval. CARB has also mandated that all anti-idling technologies — including both fuel-operated heaters and alternate power units (APUs) – must meet exhaust-gas limits on nitrous oxide, carbon dioxide, particulate matter, and others.

“When the mandate was adopted over a year ago, Espar reacted immediately,” says John Dennehy, Espar’s marketing and communications vice president. “It was a long and arduous task involving significant costs but we knew it had to be done.”

Espar will now ship all heaters with stickers that indicate they are now CARB-compliant. “We will have one on the heater and one for the driver to place on his vehicle, so that in the event the driver is asked for proof he can readily show the inspector that the heater has met conformance,” Dennehy adds.