Wednesday, April 5, 2023

At a glance (3 minute read)

  • Metro Vancouver is offering rebates on low-emission appliances as part of its Community Wood Smoke Reduction Program.
  • The program is aimed at reducing harmful wood smoke.
  • Rebate amounts range from $1000 to $300, depending on the type of appliance being replaced.

If you or your clients are using wood burning stoves, fireplaces, or appliances, you may be eligible for a rebate when you upgrade to a low-emission appliance.

In an effort to reduce harmful wood smoke, Metro Vancouver’s Community Wood Smoke Reduction Program (formerly the Wood Stove Exchange Program) is offering rebates on a first come, first served basis. There are 50 rebates remaining for 2023.

Rebate amounts are:

  1. $1000 for an exchange from an uncertified wood-burning appliance to an electric heat pump.
  2. $750 for an exchange from an uncertified wood-burning appliance to a pellet stove.
  3. $500 for an exchange from an uncertified wood-burning appliance to a certified wood-burning appliance.
  4. $400 for an exchange to an electric insert.
  5. $300 for decommissioning or removal of existing uncertified or certified wood-burning appliances without installing new heating appliances. Removed appliances must be demolished, disabled, or recycled to claim the rebate.

If you or your clients are First Nation community members living on First Nations lands (reserve, treaty lands) rebates are:

  1. $2,000 for an exchange from an uncertified wood stove to an electric heat pump.
  2. $1,500 for an exchange from an uncertified wood-burning appliance to a pellet stove.
  3. $1,000 for an exchange from an uncertified wood-burning appliance to a certified wood-burning appliance.
  4. $400 for an exchange to an electric insert.
  5. $300 for removal of existing uncertified or certified wood-burning appliances without installing new heating appliances.

How To Participate

Step 1 – Determine if your appliance qualifies for an exchange

Your appliance must be:

  • a free-standing uncertified wood stove;
  • an uncertified fireplace insert or tube type heat exchanger with a face plate and door currently installed in an open hearth fireplace;
  • an open-hearth fireplace;
  • an uncertified wood furnace;
  • a "homemade" or "barrel" stove; or
  • a wood-burning cook stove.

Step 2 – Shop for a new low emission appliance

Visit a participating retailer. Qualifying replacement appliances include:

  • an electric heat pump that meets the criteria for BC Hydro's heat pump rebate. The heat pump must be listed on the rebate-eligible heat pump list;
  • an electric insert;
  • an EPA-certified wood stove or pellet stove;
  • an EPA-certified wood insert or pellet insert;
  • an EPA-certified factory-built wood fireplace replacing an uncertified wood stove or uncertified wood insert not an existing factory-built fireplace; or
  • an EPA or CSA B415 certified wood or pellet furnace replacing an existing uncertified wood burning furnace.

If you or your clients are removing an existing uncertified or certified wood-burning appliance, without installing a new appliance, you must contact Metro Vancouver’s Community Wood Smoke Reduction program coordinator.

Step 3 – Obtain permits

  • Contact your municipality about permitting requirements for the installation of your new appliance.
  • If you're installing a wood burning unit, you may want to contact your home insurance company to find out whether they have any additional installation requirements.

Step 4 – Fill out paperwork and disable & recycle your old appliance

Your retailer will help you complete the necessary paperwork, and also with disabling and recycling your old wood appliance. Residents can disable and recycle their old appliance on their own, however, prior to beginning these steps you must contact the program coordinator or your retailer for important information on the proper procedure.

Step 5 – Receive your rebate

The retailer will help you complete your rebate form and will forward it to Metro Vancouver for verification and processing. It may take up to eight weeks, once the completed form has been submitted, before you receive the rebate cheque via Canada Post.