The Cowichan Valley Regional District is offering rebates worth up to $2,350 to help residents invest in healthier home heating options as part of the Community Wood Smoke Reduction Program.
Funded by the BC Lung Association and the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy, the program provides financial assistance to help residents purchase healthier home-heating options to reduce smoke pollution and improve air quality in the Cowichan Valley.
“With the cost of living increasing, it is important that we make healthier home heating options more accessible to ensure that the program benefits a wider audience,” said Aaron Stone, chair of the Cowichan Valley Regional District.
There are two types of rebates this year: the Exchange Initiave applies to those replacing wood-burning appliances and the Bounty Program applies to those who are removing them.
Residents looking to upgrade their home heating systems are eligible for rebates up to $2,350 depending on the appliance type. The program also allows residents in rural areas to keep their old wood-burning appliances for emergency use when applying for a heat pump rebate.
“Given the frequency and intensity of winter storms, residents in rural areas have expressed concern over frequent power outages if a heat pump were to be their only heat source,” said Keith Lawrence, senior environmental analyst at the CVRD. “Allowing these residents to keep their old wood-burning appliance for emergency use encourages the use of the heat-pump rebate.”
A separate incentive for residents to remove existing non-EPA or CSA-certified wood-burning appliances without requiring the installation of a new heating appliance is also available. The $300 one-time incentive is limited to one per household and only applies to installed, working-order appliances.
According to the CVRD, the benefits of the programs include reducing wood smoke pollution, improving individual and community health, and saving time and money.
For more information about the CVRD Community Wood Smoke Reduction Program and how to apply, visit www.cvrd.ca/Woodstove. To learn more about stacking other home heating appliance rebates, visit Better Homes BC and the Canada Greener Homes Grant or contact a home energy coach for free at 1-844-881-9790.