Media Contacts

Media Relations

Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy
250 953-3834

Backgrounders

Facts about the 2018-19 Wood Stove Exchange Program

Cities or regions receiving funds this year include Alberni, Bulkley Valley, Comox Valley, Cowichan Valley, Fraser Valley, Golden, Kamloops, Metro Vancouver, Prince George and region, Kelowna and the central Okanagan, the Regional District of Central Kootenay, the Regional District of Nanaimo, Coldstream/Lumby, Powell River, the Sunshine Coast and Vanderhoof.

Funding for the 2018-19 wood stove exchange program:

  • Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District: $20,650
  • Bulkley Valley and Lakes District Airshed Management Society: $16,000
  • Comox Valley Regional District: $35,400
  • Cowichan Valley Regional District: $31,200
  • Fraser Valley Regional District: $7,000
  • Golden and District Air Quality Committee: $5,000
  • City of Kamloops: $8,750
  • Metro Vancouver Regional District: $56,000
  • Prince George Air Improvement Roundtable: $10,500
  • Central Okanagan Regional District: $9,500
  • Regional District of Central Kootenay: $14,000
  • Regional District of Nanaimo: $30,000
  • Lavington Life Society: $5,000
  • qathet Regional District: $14,500
  • Sunshine Coast Clean Air Society: $13,500
  • District of Vanderhoof: $3,750

In British Columbia, all new wood stoves and inserts sold must meet U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or Canadian Standards Association 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.