WETT Certification vs. WETT Inspection™
By Cindy Buckle
To completely understand the difference, let’s first answer “What is WETT and what does WETT do?”
Wood Energy Technology Transfer Inc. (WETT Inc.) is a non-profit training and education association managed by a volunteer Board of Directors.
Through professional training and public education, WETT Inc. promotes the safe and effective use of wood-burning systems in Canada.
Objectives of WETT
To develop, maintain, promote and deliver professional training courses within the framework of the Wood Energy Technical Training Program (WETT) for practitioners of trades related to the sale, installation, maintenance and inspection of systems using wood and other biomass fuels.
To maintain a registry containing the names of holders of valid WETT certificates and those who are students under the program.
In accordance with the WETT Code of Ethics, foster and promote among certificate holders the highest level of professional conduct in the delivery of services to the public.
To encourage and promote the safe and efficient use of wood energy through the distribution of public information materials and through collaboration with government agencies and related industries.
To foster and promote research and education in the utilization of wood as a source of energy.
To promote the interests and activities of the members of the organization in a reasonable and legal manner.
To provide a forum for the discussion of issues of importance or interest to the members and to share information and opinions for the mutual benefit of the members.
To carry on such other activities as may, from time to time, be ordered by the Board of Directors of the organization and which are consistent with these objectives.
Through the Wood Energy Technical Training (WETT) program, industry professionals spend many hours to become sufficiently educated to perform their jobs in the field when installing, servicing or inspecting solid-fuel-energy systems. When taking the path to WETT certification, any person who wishes to hold a WETT credential agrees to abide by the WETT Code of Ethics that holds them to a higher standard of performance and professional behaviour.
Individuals who have achieved WETT certification and hold a current, valid WETT certification number may do the following:
Inspect a solid-fuel-burning system.
Report on the condition of the inspected fuel-burning system.
May, but are not required to, provide advice on how to bring the inspected solid-fuel-burning system into code compliance. However, this may require a higher level of certification or training.
WETT Inc. does not certify appliances.
WETT Inc. does not certify an installation of a solid-fuel-burning system.
Manufacturers of solid-fuel-burning systems certify their appliances by test laboratories, like CSA or Intertek.
A WETT-certified individual cannot certify an appliance or an installation.
A WETT-certified individual can only attest to the proper installation of said appliance and chimney according to both Manufacturers’ Written Installation Instructions and the Provincial/National Codes that apply to that installation.
To find a WETT-certified professional in your area to inspect your solid-fuel-burning system, check the Search for Professionals page on our website