Media Contacts

Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy

Media Relations
250 953-3834

Backgrounders

Facts about the 2017-18 wood stove exchange program
  • In 2018, 15 communities will receive funding, including two new communities where the program has never been offered before – District of Vanderhoof and City of Kamloops.
  • Funding for the 2017-18 wood stove exchange program:
    • Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District: $14,750
    • Bulkley Valley and Lakes District Airshed Management Society: $7,900
    • Comox Valley Regional District: $19,000
    • Cowichan Valley Regional District: $31,700
    • Fraser Valley Regional District: $12,000
    • Golden and District Air Quality Committee: $5,000
    • City of Kamloops: $16,750
    • Metro Vancouver Regional District: $17,750
    • Prince George Air Improvement Roundtable: $2,900
    • Central Okanagan Regional District: $12,100
    • Regional District of Kootenay Boundary: $6,000
    • Regional District of Nanaimo: $17,500
    • Sea to Sky Clean Air Society: $10,950
    • Sunshine Coast Clean Air Society: $12,700
    • District of Vanderhoof: $8,500
  • In British Columbia, all new wood stoves and inserts sold must meet U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or Canadian Standards Association (CSA) emission standards.
  • Always use dry, well-seasoned wood cut into pieces that are 10 to 15 centimetres in diameter. Burning “green” or wet wood produces significantly more smoke.
  • Firewood should be seasoned for at least six months. Burning seasoned wood also saves money by reducing wood consumption by 25%.
  • By burning smaller, hotter fires to ensure complete combustion of the wood, there should be very little visible smoke coming from the chimney and no smell of smoke indoors.
  • Wood-burning appliances should be inspected and cleaned at least once a year by a certified technician.