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Wood Stove Change Out Program
If you heat with wood, the wood stove exchange program is a great opportunity to replace your old wood burning appliance with a new cleaner burning model. Central Okanagan residents that recycle their old uncertified wood stove or insert for a new EPA certified wood, pellet, electric or gas hearth product are eligible to receive a $250 rebate! (Available while rebates last.)
Old wood burning appliances burn inefficiently, creating more pollution and creosote than new appliances. New, EPA-certified wood burning appliances heat more efficiently, using about 1/3 less wood and creating 90% less smoke. When used correctly, it is possible to burn without creating any visible smoke. The Wood Burning Best Practices pages provide great information and videos to assist you in burning cleaner.
How to participate in the Wood Stove Exchange Program:
- Visit your local participating Hearth Product Retailers.
- Pick out a new, cleaner-burning, EPA certified wood, pellet, electric or gas burning hearth product (freestanding or fireplace insert).
- Fill out a tracking form with your retailer at time of purchase.
- Recycle your old wood stove - participating retailers will take care of the details.
- Receive a $250 cash rebate in the mail from your local government (please note that funding is limited).
If you burn wood for heating, ensure you are burning properly. It is illegal to burn anything other than untreated, seasoned (dry) wood. Wood must be split, stacked and properly covered to allow air flow at least 8 months before burning. The Wood Burning Best Practices pages have videos with great advice on preparing wood and woodstove use.
You can also receive a free wood heat DVD that will help you get the most out of your wood burning appliance. Call Kate at 250-469-8408 for more details.
Additional Rebates Now Available!
The Federal ecoEnergy rebate program also offers rebates for woodstove exchanges and has been extended until March 31, 2012. Registered participants can qualify for a $375 rebate for replacing a wood burning appliance with an EPA certified wood burning appliance, pellet stove or masonry heater. Program participants are also encouraged to complete other energy efficiency upgrades, and can qualify for up to $5,000 in rebates.
The Provincial efficiency incentive program, LiveSmart BC, has also been extended until March 31, 2013. Registered participants can qualify for a $500 rebate for replacing an existing wood stove or gas fireplace with a pellet stove that meets or exceeds Washington State emission standards. The LiveSmart program also offers thousands of dollars in incentives for completing energy efficient upgrades.
Residents that live in FortisBC service areas may also qualify for a $300 rebate on the purchase and installation of an EnerChoice fireplace until May 31, 2012. For more information on this and other FortisBC incentives and programs for energy efficiency, visit www.fortisbc.com.
To qualify for the Federal or Provincial rebate, you must have an energy audit completed by a certified energy advisor before starting any upgrades and again after completion. The energy advisor will assist you with all paperwork and ensure that you meet all requirements for Federal and Provincial rebates. A list of certified energy advisors can be found at www.livesmartbc.ca or by calling 1-866-430-8765.
For more information on the Great Okanagan Woodstove Change Out Program and how wood smoke impacts our environment, go to bcairquality.ca .
Contact Us
Kate Bergen
Regional Air Quality Coordinator
250 469-8408
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