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. In 2009-2010, the following areas are running exchange programs:
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. Contact the community coordinator in your area 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.
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.
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.
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 Agency website for more information.
See Provincial Wood Stove Exchange Program: Results in British Columbia for more information.
In British Columbia, all
new wood stoves and inserts sold must meet U.S. 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.
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.
To learn more about choosing a new stove and "burning smart," see:
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:
The goal of the provincial wood stove exchange program is to reduce the amount of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) contained in wood smoke produced around homes and communities.
Each stove replaced can reduce smoke and PM2.5 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 the 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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