Wood Stove Change-out Program

Wood Stove Change Out Program Savings Return!

Participating Retailers

Change Out Old Wood Burners and Save

If you use an old wood burning stove or fireplace insert, here’s a chance for you to upgrade to a cleaner burning unit and save some money!

During March and April, the ‘Great Okanagan Wood Stove Change Out Program’ offers a minimum $150 rebate off the suggested retail price of a new EPA/CSA emission approved replacement appliance through participating retailers, manufacturers and distributors. Consumers receive the rebate when they surrender their old wood burning appliance for recycling. Participating Central Okanagan retailers will take care of recycling your old stove and complete all the necessary paperwork for the rebates. This rebate is in addition to a $250 rebate offered by the Regional Air Quality program until December 31st (while funds last) when customers replace their old polluting wood burning appliance with a newer technology one that carries the EPA/CSA certification.

Since 2001, almost 600 Central Okanagan homeowners have saved money through the program. In the Okanagan, smoke from wood burning stoves and fireplaces is the greatest source of particulate matter next to open burning. Particulate matter is one of the main pollutants that leads to poor air quality and can have serious health impacts. It’s estimated over 20,000 valley homes are still equipped with inefficient conventional wood stoves or masonry fireplaces, adding a lot of smoke pollution. Regional Air Quality Program Coordinator Kate Bergen says, “Wood stove smoke contributes to poor air quality throughout the Central Okanagan. By replacing old wood burning fireplaces and stoves with newer technology certified appliances homeowners will burn 1/3 less wood and reduce smoke by up to 90%. And that will help us all breathe a little easier!”

Bergen adds, “To learn more about proper wood heating practices, we have new videos full of useful information on proper wood burning and getting the most out of your stove. Links to these short videos can be found on regionaldistrict.com/airquality.”

Contacts: Kate Bergen Regional Air Quality Program Coordinator kbergen@kelowna.ca 250-469-8408 Bruce Smith Communications Officer 250-469-6339

Minimize Pollution from your wood burning appliance by following these simple steps:

• Firewood should be seasoned by splitting and stacking it at least eight months before it is burned. Your woodpile should be covered in a way that keeps rain and snow off but allows air to circulate through it. Dry seasoned wood burns best!
• Burn only clean, dry wood in your wood stove. Never burn green, wet, painted or treated wood including plywood, pressboard, railway ties or utility poles. Never burn household garbage in your wood stove or fireplace!
• Burn only small bright fires. Start the fire using small pieces of wood kindling, and keep the fire moderately hot, adding larger pieces of split wood as required. Do not damper down the fire too much, as this will produce a smoky, oxygen-starved fire.
• Watch for signs of incomplete burning such as visible smoke coming from your chimney or long, lazy flames in the firebox. When you see these signs, more air is needed to improve your fire. You must open the dampers to allow additional air into the stove.
• Don't burn on fair or poor air quality days. Your wood smoke will add significantly to the problem, particularly on days of atmospheric inversions and still winds.
• Buy the right stoves for your needs. The most common mistake is choosing a stove too large for the area to be heated. A stove that is too large for your home will have to be dampered down to maintain a comfortable temperature, thus creating smoke and increasing air pollution.
• Don't burn in moderate temperatures. Save your wood for cold days. When you do use your wood stove or fireplace, keep the fire small and bright and only burn clean, dry wood.
• Don't damper down your fire, as this will produce a smoky, oxygen-starved fire. Ensure that you follow the manufacturer's instructions for the safe operation and maintenance of your particular stove. Check your chimney frequently for creosote buildup: a common cause of house fires.