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The Provincial Community Wood Smoke Reduction Program (CWSRP) (formerly known as the Wood Stove Exchange Program) changes out old, smoky wood stoves for cleaner heating options including heat pumps, gas or pellet stoves and cleaner-burning wood stoves.
The program, which is administered by PGAIR in Prince George, offers discounts and rebates to promote exchanges, as well as education to support residents to operate wood burning appliances efficiently.
CWSRP has run for over 10 years in the Prince George airshed, exchanging over 400 old stoves, and removing an estimated 30 tonnes of particulate matter (PM) emissions from the airshed each year!
2022 Program Overview
The 2022 PGAIR Community Wood Smoke Reduction Program (CWSRP) is now open! Eligible residents of Prince George or the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George (unincorporated areas only) who exchange their old smoky wood stove can receive a:
- $500 rebate for a new, emission-certified wood stove
- $750 rebate for a qualifying natural gas, propane or pellet appliance
- $1000 rebate for an electric heat pump (that meets the criteria for BC’s Home Renovation Rebate and Efficiency BC Program) https://app.bchydro.com/hero/HeatPumpLookup
Please note that residents from Mackenzie, McBride, and Valemount are not eligible. See the Village of Valemount's own Wood Stove Exchange program here. Mackenzie and McBride do not have any such programs.
Did you know? Those eligible for the Clean BC Indigenous Community Heat Pump Incentive are also welcome to apply for the Community Wood Smoke Reduction Program. If all application requirements are met, folks will be able to claim both incentives!
Don't have a wood stove or appliance to exchange? Check out these other rebate programs designed to make your home more efficient:
HOW TO APPLY & Online Application Form
Step 1: Read the 2022 Terms & Conditions to determine if you are eligible for the program. Make sure you have all the required documentation as per the checklist.
Step 2: Contact us (info@pgairquality.com) and provide your physical address to secure your application tracking number and expiry date.
Step 3: Complete the 2022 Online Application Form
Step 5: Receive your rebate in the mail! (If all requirements are met, of course).
Permits
Participants of the 2022 Community Wood Smoke Reduction Program need to show proof that they have obtained any applicable permits for the installation of their new appliance. Speak to your installer, City of Prince George, or Regional District office for information on solid fuel permits. For natural gas or electric appliance permits, contact your installer or the BC Safety Authority. You should also contact your home insurance provider prior to installing a new wood-burning appliance, to ask if they have any additional requirements (such as a WETT inspection) and if you can save on home insurance (by qualifying as a secondary heat source).
To locate a WETT inspector in your area, search here: Find a WETT certified professional
BC Safety Authority Permit (for replacement natural gas appliances)
Qualifying Original Appliances
The following original appliances qualify for exchange under this Program
- A free-standing non-EPA certified “stove” or a “homemade” or “barrel” stove.
- A so-called “airtight” non-EPA certified fireplace insert or tube type heat exchanger with a face plate and door (like the “Free Heat Machine” or Welenco or Heatalator that is currently installed in an open-hearth fireplace.
- A non-EPA certified “wood furnace” (ducted, forced air, home heating appliance) – may only be replaced by an EPA certified wood furnace or pellet furnace.
- A wood-burning cook stove.
- An outdoor wood boiler/hydronic heaters (new for 2021/2022).
Qualifying Replacement Appliances
The following NEW appliances qualify to replace the non-EPA Appliances:
- A high-efficiency natural gas or propane stove/fireplace, a pellet stove, an electric stove, or an EPA certified clean burning wood stove.
- A high-efficiency natural gas or propane insert, a pellet insert, an electric insert, or an EPA certified clean burning wood insert.
- An EPA certified factory-built fireplace – may ONLY be accepted if it is replacing a non-EPA certified wood stove or insert (NOT an existing factory-built fireplace).
- An electric heat pump that meets the criteria for BC’s Home Renovation Rebate and Efficiency BC Program https://app.bchydro.com/hero/HeatPumpLookup
The following original appliances do NOT qualify for exchange under this Program (program funding will NOT be provided to install these appliances):
- A new insert to an existing open-hearth fireplace that does NOT currently have an insert installed in it. An exchange of an existing wood appliance must take place.
- Factory built (“zero clearance”) fireplaces.
- Wood cook stoves (These are EPA exempt therefore are not covered by this program. They may be replaced by an EPA certified stove or other “non- cooking” product within the qualification list above).
- Tin heaters/tent stoves (something NOT used in a residential application)
Destroying your old appliance: why and how.
You or your contractor are responsible for ensuring that the old appliance can no longer be used or sold again. You must show proof that the appliance has been rendered unusable or crushed at a scrap metal facility (photo or signed declaration from facility attendant).
Download and print a template Recycling Declaration Form for scrap metal facilities to use.
A receipt from the scrap metal facility will not be accepted as proof that the stove has been destroyed. You can make the stove unusable yourself, by removing the doors, breaking the glass, damaging the hinges with a hammer, and bashing in the flue collar (take photo).
Wood Smoke Education Online Course: The Wood Smoke Education Online Course is an interactive learning tool designed to teach the owners and operators of wood stoves how to burn cleanly and efficiently and explain the benefits of doing so. The course is made up of 5 modules, and should take participants from 40 minutes to an hour to complete. TAKE THE COURSE HERE!
Do you have questions? Please feel free to contact us at anytime or read our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Sheet
List of Local Retailers
Visit any licensed BC retail store to purchase your new appliance.
- Fraser Plumbing and Heating: 250-562-6777 / 430 3rd Avenue
- Tropical Pool and Spa: 250-564-5690 / 1701 West Central Street
- Dale's Wood & Gas Heat: 250-562-8366 / 1701B West Central Street
- Mainline Plumbing and Heating: 250-564-9808 / 3658 Opie Crescent
- Decked Out Home & Patio: 250-960-4220 / 4004 Cowart Road
- Rona: 250-562-1125 / 4150 Cowart Road
- Lowe's Home Improvement: 250-277-1422 / 2999 Massey Drive
- Northern Outdoor: 250-560-5771
- Robson Valley Home Hardware (McBride): 250-569-2284 / 256 Main Street McBride
- HVAC Strong Mechanical Ltd: (778) 999-5815 / 4780 Wood Place - Also a Certified Heat Pump Installer
*Some retailers may be missing from this list. PGAIR cannot guarantee retailers offer all appliance types. Retailers may request to be added to this list by contacting PGAIR.
2022 PGAIR Community Wood Smoke Reduction Program Supported By:
