How to participate in the program:

Printable version: How the 2008 Program Works

• Confirm you qualify for the program based on where you live and the wood burning appliance that currently heats your home.The program boundaries span from Burns Lake to Terrace, and include all outlying and rural residences as well as homes within town limits.

• What Qualifies? An exchange must take place. Any wood burning appliance currently providing heat to a residential or commercial building qualifies if it is not certified for efficiency and emission standards. Typically, stoves or inserts manufactured before 1994 are not efficiency certified. Most wood burning furnaces and outdoor wood burning boilers do not meet standards. A metal plate on the back of your unit will indicate the month and year of testing for EPA or CSA 415B standards. Old units can be exchanged for any new clean burning appliance that has passed these tests – this includes woodstoves, inserts, pellet stoves, gas or electric furnaces, certified wood burning furnaces or even geothermal heating.

• Visit a participating retailer (click here for a list) to select and purchase the best replacement system for your home. Installment and financing details can be worked out with retailers. Special financing is also available for Credit Union members.

• Get applicable vouchers. AMS and RDKS vouchers are available from retailers or Ministry of Environment at 1-888-334-0335. For Town of Smithers, Village of Burns Lake or District of Houston vouchers, contact your municipal office directly. Complete a voucher and claim your rebate.

• Make sure your old stove gets recycled!

  General recycling information;

  Terrace and area recycling information

• Operate your stove for maximum efficiency (click here for links). Don't forget to use seasoned wood! Moisture meters and educational videos are available for loan from community libraries.

• Spread awareness of the Exchange Program and clean burning techniques. AMS and MOE will put on a neighbourhood wood stove demostration and workshop on request.

For more information, contact Colin Macleod, program coordinator,

at the Ministry of Environment 250-847-7256 or

1-888-334-0335 or by e-mail Colin.MacLeod@gov.bc.ca.

X-change Hotline 1-888-334-0335

Top 6 Reasons to Exchange your old stove NOW

for a high efficiency unit...

1. Cash in on big $avings - the program continues until all vouchers have been used.

2. Help clean up the air in your neighbourhood and in your home! Emission certified stoves result in emission reductions of around 70% compared to uncertified.

3. Reduce annual fuel and firewood needs: New, high efficiency woodstoves use 1/3 less wood, saving you time and money. High efficiency appliances using other fuels such as pellets, also qualify.

4. Act on great financing options through local Credit Unions. Loans up to $5000 for program participants with an interest rate of prime (6%) over three years with no prepayment penalties.

5. Support community goals of cleaner air by 2010. The Town of Smithers, Village of Burns Lake and the District of Houston have adopted bylaws to reduce emissions from woodburning appliances. When you burn clean, you support clean air communities and the BVLD Community Action Plan for Clean Air (adopted June 2004).

6. Check out home insurance savings: Clean burning stoves greatly reduce risks of chimney fire and if your annual wood use drops below three cords, your woodstove can qualify as a secondary heat source, reducing your monthly house insurance rate.