NEW – BC: Encourage customers to replace old smoky wood stoves with clean-burning propane!

The BC government has renewed its Wood Stove Exchange Program which provides incentives to people replacing old, smoky wood stoves with cleaner options.

A total of 19 communities have applied for funding to continue their exchange program or have sufficient funding from previous years to continue offering rebates to their residents. There is still time for CPA members to encourage potential customers to take advantage of the funding to replace their wood stoves with a propane stove.

Here are some statistics to help CPA members discuss the benefits of switching to a propane stove with existing and potential customers. Burning wood creates significant air pollution by increasing particulate matter in the air. Also known as PM 2.5, this fine particulate matter can cause health problems. The Wood Stove Exchange Program reduces local air pollution by helping people trade out old wood stoves for cleaner sources of heat, such as electric heat pumps, gas or pellet stoves, or new emission-certified wood stoves.

Eligible British Columbians can apply for the following incentives:

• $250 for changing to a cleaner-burning wood stove;
• $400 for changing to a qualifying electric heat pump, gas or propane stove, or pellet-fuelled stove; and
• $500 for those who live in “Red Zone” communities. These are areas where fine particulate matter exceeds the Canadian Ambient Air Quality Standards. Residents can use the money to change to a heat pump, gas or propane stove, or pellet-fuelled stove.

Since 2008, the annual Wood Stove Exchange Program has provided more than $3.2 million and has helped to replace around 9,000 old stoves with cleaner options. This year’s fund will distribute $270,000 through the British Columbia Lung Association, which also educates the public about alternatives to wood stoves.

More information on the program and how to apply for the grant, may be found on the B.C. government website.