Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Quesnel Wood Stove Exchange Program

Do you have an old, smoke-belching wood stove that is ready for retirement? If so, there’s never been a better time to replace it than right now.

Cariboo residents are being offered a cash incentive to upgrade their old wood stoves as part of the Cariboo Wood Stove Exchange Program, which runs until Sept. 1, 2011. Residents who replace older inefficient models with more efficient and clean-burning appliances can receive a number of rebates and incentives. The program also applies to residents installing high-efficiency gas stoves, fireplaces and fireplace inserts.

New certified wood stoves burn one-third less wood and can reduce smoke and particulate matter entering the atmosphere by as much as 90 per cent.

The first 20 stoves to be turned in are eligible for a $250 provincial rebate, and if residents reside within the Quesnel Airshed boundaries they will receive an additional $300 rebate, meaning there’s as much as $550 available. In addition the City of Quesnel has waived the permit fee for installation within city limits. All you need to do is visit Quesnel City Hall to pick one up.

The program is also designed to raise public awareness about the importance of smoke-free burning. There will be a wood burning display at Quesnel City Hall, and a burn trailer will be at some community events. People will learn how to burn cleaner, more efficient fires and see the difference between conventional air-tight stoves and high-efficiency wood stoves.

For more information about the Wood Stove Exchange Program, call the Exchange Hotline at 1-877-992-5833.

The Quesnel Air Quality Roundtable is a voluntary, multi-stakeholder, community-driven initiative that has developed an improvement plan for air quality in Quesnel.

For further information, please contact:
Dora McMillan, Chair
Quesnel Air Quality Roundtable
Phone: (250) 992-3770
Web: http://www.quesnelairshed.org/

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