Central Okanagan residents can get a bigger rebate this year when recycling an old wood-burning appliance and replacing it with newer, cleaner-burning technology.
The Regional District of Central Okanagan’s (RDCO) Wood Smoke Reduction program offers up to $1,500.
“We want to encourage residents to take advantage of the increased rebate levels offered on many types of exchanges and the new bounty option,” says Nancy Mora Castro, Regional Air Quality program coordinator. “Transitioning to newer, cleaner-burning technology appliances helps improve air quality by reducing smoke pollution and harmful particulate emissions as new units are more efficient.”
The following are the 2024 rebate rates based on the type of exchange:
- Emission-certified wood replacements meeting stringent limits (EPA 2020) $600;
- WFN Members $1,200;
- Electric inserts $400 rebate;
- New pellet stoves/inserts $1000;
- WFN Members $2,000;
- Electric heat pumps $1500;
- WFN Members $3,000;
- Bounty (recycle wood-burning appliance with no exchange) $300.
To claim the rebate the removed wood appliances must be demolished, disabled, or recycled. There is a limit of one rebate per household.
Residents who want to participate in the program can visit the Fireplace Den, White’s Barbecue and Fireplace Centre, or FireCraft for assistance recycling their old wood burners and completing rebate paperwork.
Wood to natural gas or propane exchanges are no longer eligible for rebates.
More information about the Wood Stove Exchange Program is available on the RDCO website.
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