Provincial Wood Stove Exchange Program
Information for Individuals
How the Program Works
The provincial wood stove exchange program is run on a community level, meaning communities or regional districts can apply for funding to implement an exchange program. By concentrating exchanges in communities that demonstrate a real need to improve air quality related to wood burning, the programs have an opportunity to demonstrate noticeable and measurable improvements.
If you are thinking about exchanging your old wood stove, check to see if you live in an area running a community-based exchange program and contact your local government office for more information. For 2009-2010, the following areas are running exchange programs:
- Bulkley Valley Lakes District (including Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine, and Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako)
- Vanderhoof
- Prince George and Regional District of Fraser-Fort George
- Dawson Creek
- Quesnel, Williams Lake, and 100 Mile House
- Okanagan (Regional District of North Okanagan, Regional District of Central Okanagan, Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen)
- Regional District of Central Kootenay
- East Kootenay Regional District
- Revelstoke
- Golden and Electoral Area A
- Regional District of Kootenay Boundary
- Merritt and the Thompson Nicola Regional District
- Metro Vancouver
- Fraser Valley Regional District
- Sunshine Coast and the District of Sechelt
- Nanaimo
- Municipality of North Cowichan
- Duncan
- Cowichan Valley Regional District
- Port Alberni
- Campbell River
Each area may run their program slightly differently but in general they may require a photo or some proof that the old stove has been in use, proof that the new stove has been installed (in compliance with current building codes), and proof that the old stove has been destroyed. Community coordinators can help you through this process. Once these steps are complete, a rebate will be issued to you in the amount of $250 or greater*. In addition to the rebates, the programs also offer education and training on using your new appliance to maximize efficiency and reduce the amount of smoke produced. Check with the community coordinator for workshop schedules and other opportunities. See ‘Getting the Most Out of Your New Wood Stove’ for tips to increase your stove’s efficiency.
*Some communities provide a top off to the provincial rebates. These range from $50 to $500.
Industry Discounts
In addition to the provincial rebates offered in certain communities, the Hearth Patio and BBQ Association of Western Canada contributes by offering a $150 discount during the months of March and April at participating dealers. Dealers in areas running the provincial program are most likely to participate in the industry program. As in the community exchange program, the old stove must be removed and destroyed.
ecoENERGY Grants
Further rebates are available through the ecoENERGY Retrofit Program, including $375 for a new wood stove or insert. This federal program helps you improve your home’s energy efficiency. A certified Energy Advisor conducts an energy audit of your home and makes recommendations for improvements. Once you carry out those improvements, a second audit is conducted of your home to assess the results. You may qualify for a variety of incentives. See the ecoENERGY Retrofit Program for more details.
Home Renovation Tax Credit
Any costs associated with purchasing and installing a new home heating appliance can qualify a homeowner for federal tax credits in 2009. See the Canada Revenue Agencey website for more information.
How to Choose a New Stove
In B.C. all new wood stoves and inserts sold must meet US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or Canadian Standards Association (CSA) emission standards. All stoves come with a label that specifies the emissions output in grams per hour. You should choose a stove that will meet your heating needs and help maximize efficiency. Qualifying replacement products include EPA certified wood stoves, inserts, and select certified wood furnaces, as well as any appliance that burns pellet fuel. Pellet stoves are some of the cleanest burning heating appliances available today and deliver high overall efficiency.
For more information on choosing a new stove, see:
Getting the Most Out of Your New Wood Stove
Even though your new stove meets emission standards, maximizing the efficiency of its operation is up to you. Here are some general tips that will help you burn smart:
- Burn only clean, well-seasoned firewood to reduce smoke and creosote build-up. Firewood that is cut to length, split and stacked in the spring will be ready for burning the following winter. Properly seasoned wood has just under 20 percent water by weight, is generally darker at the ends and weighs much less than freshly cut wood.
- When kindling a new fire, fully open all air inlets of the stove to create a hot flame which will quickly bring the cold firebox, wood, and chimney up to temperature and reduce the length of a smoky start-up.
- Burn smaller, hotter fires in order to ensure complete combustion of the wood. There should be very little visible smoke coming from your chimney and no smell of smoke indoors.
- Avoid slow, smouldering fires by ensuring that sufficient air is coming into the fire through the air inlets of the stove in order to maintain the flame. Do not damper down overnight!
- Properly maintain your wood stove and chimney for efficiency and safe operation
For more information on burning smart, see:
Recycling Your Old Stove
The goal of the provincial wood stove exchange program is to reduce the amount of fine particulate contained in wood smoke being produced around homes and communities.
Each stove replaced can reduce smoke and particulate matter by up to 90%. For this reason, old stoves must be not be used again, they must be destroyed. Whether you or an installer are removing the old stove, take these steps to render it non-useable: remove the doors, bash in the flue collar, remove the firebrick from appliance and deliver the body to the designated public works yards and/or transfer station where it can be picked up by a recycler. |
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Contact a Coordinator in Your Area (TO BE UPDATED)
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