Since 2008 the Sunshine Coast Clean Air Society has partnered with BC Lung Association and the air quality division of B.C.’s Ministry of Environment to bring the wood stove exchange (WSE) program to Sunshine Coast residents. Through the participation of local heating appliance vendors, 28 rebates of $250 are available this year to those replacing older, higher polluting wood burning stoves with low-emissions EPA-certified models. An important aspect of this program is that the older stoves are decommissioned and recycled so they cannot be sold or traded to be reinstalled elsewhere to continue to pollute.
The Sunshine Coast Clean Air Society (SCCAS) recognizes that any wood-burning appliance creates particulates that can cause negative health and environmental impacts. To encourage those making home heating upgrades to choose non-wood fuels for their heating, SCCAS applied to the District of Sechelt (DOS) for funding to increase rebates to those who qualify within the WSE program and opt for non-wood burning appliances. We are pleased to announce that an additional $250 will be made available to six participating DOS residents who meet all these program requirements. All rebates are distributed on a first-come-first-served basis.
The SCCAS website (cleanaironthecoast.com) has a Home Heating Buyers’ Guide (a main menu option on the home page) that rates various options. (Please note that prices on this page may not be current; check with your vendor for today’s pricing.) A link to the BC air quality wood stove exchange program 2015-2016 guidelines can be found on the SCCAS website’s Campaigns section.
Sunshine Coast residents who are interested in the wood stove exchange program should inquire with their appliance vendor. Last year’s participating vendors included Sechelt Fireplace, Cozy Homes Fireplaces, Paul’s Chimney, and Gibsons Home Hardware. Other vendors are welcome to participate; contact Jools Andrés, WSE program coordinator and executive director, Sunshine Coast Clean Air Society at [email protected] for information. The program ends Oct. 31.
