The Prince George Air Improvement Roundtable (PGAIR) is getting additional funds for the 2021-2022 Wood Stove Exchange Program.
PGAIR is getting $4,450 to administer the program which offers rebates to residents to exchange wood stoves as well as well as education to support residents to operate wood burning appliances efficiently.
Eligible residents of Prince George or the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George (unincorporated areas only) who exchange their old smoky wood stove for a new emission-certified wood stove can receive a $550 rebate and those exchanging to a qualifying natural gas, propane or pellet appliance can receive a $750 rebate.
Residents can also now receive a $1000 rebate for exchanging a wood stove for an electric heat pump. New appliances must be purchased on or after November 1, 2021 to qualify for the rebate.
Participants in the program must reserve a spot by obtaining a program tracking number, and then submitting their completed application to PGAIR.
The Program has run for over 10 years in the Prince George airshed, exchanging over 400 old stoves, and has removed an estimated 30 tonnes of particulate matter (PM) emissions from the airshed each year.
"This program provides important information to the public on the need to reduce harmful emissions from burning wood," said George Heyman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy.
"With increased rebates this year, our government is making sure people can affordably make the switch to update and heat their homes, improving air quality in their communities and creating a lower-carbon future for B.C."
Burning wood creates significant air pollution by increasing fine particulate matter in the air, which can cause health problems. The exchange program reduces local air pollution by helping people transition to cleaner sources of heat.
Eligible British Columbians in communities that have exceeded national air-quality standards can apply to exchange a wood stove for:
- a Canadian Standards Association (CSA) or a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) certified wood stove: $300
- a qualifying natural gas, propane or pellet stove: $750
- a heat pump: $1,000
Eligible British Columbians in other communities can apply to exchange an old wood stove for:
- a CSA or EPA certified wood stove: $300
- a qualifying natural gas, propane or pellet stove: $500
- a heat pump: $750
The province says considering B.C.'s climate commitments this will be the final year that propane and natural gas stoves will be eligible for rebates from the Wood Stove Exchange Program as although these appliances reduce particulate matter pollution relative to wood stoves, they burn fossil fuels and therefore produce carbon emissions that contribute to climate change.
Since 2008, the Wood Stove Exchange Program has provided more than $3.8 million to replace more than 10,000 stoves with cleaner heating options.
This year's fund will distribute $319,800 through the British Columbia Lung Foundation, which also educates the public about clean-burning practices and alternatives to wood stoves.
Since 2019, most replacements funded by the program have been non-wood-burning heating options.
"This program continues to help remove particulates from the air, while raising awareness about the dangers of burning wood," said Christopher Lam, president and CEO, BC Lung Foundation. "People throughout our province should understand that wood smoke causes significant harm."
You can find more information on the wood stove exchange program online.
