Wood stoves, fireplaces, and other residential wood-burning devices produce hundreds of times more particulate air pollution than other heat sources such as natural gas or electricity. The resulting smoke can cause asthma, lung disease, heart disease, stroke, and premature death.

People may be surprised to learn that wood burning is the second largest source of particulate pollution (PM2.5) in Washington, after air pollution from wildfires.

Since 1988, wood stove standards have become more protective. All new woodstoves must now be certified. This means they must meet the most protective emissions performance standards applicable under state and federal law. As of 2020, federal standards are more protective than state standards. However, existing equipment does not need to meet the new standards, and some wood stoves may have a longer lifespan.

That’s where the wood smoke reduction grant program comes into play. The Washington State Legislature allocates $3 million to $4 million every two years for this ecology grant program, which distributes the funds to regional clean air agencies and ecology regional offices to support programs to reduce wood smoke. doing. Wood-burning stove. The program should prioritize communities at risk of violating national air quality standards.

Since its inception nearly 17 years ago, the Wood Smoke Reduction Grant Program has helped reduce particulate pollution across Washington, replacing more than 7,000 wood stoves and recycling just over 3,600 pieces of equipment.

Communities respond to incentives

In addition to funding educational programs on efficient combustion methods, this grant will support two main types of programs that provide financial incentives for recycling or replacing old, uncertified wood-burning home heating appliances: It also helps with funding. Some clean air agencies offer both types of programs.

• recycling event – Smaller communities, such as the Benton County Clean Air Agency and Ecology Eastern Regional Office (ERO), have set up wood stove “drop-in” or recycling events on specific days, where residents can purchase eligible wood stoves. You can bring your check in to receive a check. These events help remove old uncertified wood stoves from circulation. for example, ERO will be giving away $400 for old wood stoves at the Stevens County Landfill on Sunday, April 28, 2024.
• alternative program – Most other clean air agencies, such as the Spokane Regional Clean Air Agency and the Yakima Regional Clean Air Agency, have ongoing exchange programs, sometimes referred to as “exchange programs.” These programs help residents replace their old, non-certified wood stoves with new certified wood stoves, pellet stoves, fireplace inserts, or ductless heat pumps by offering financial discounts. If you own an eligible wood-burning stove, you can purchase a replacement at your own timing.

Spokane and Yakima Clean Air Agencies also offer income-based programs. Homeowners who meet certain income criteria and use wood stoves or inserts that are at least 20 years old or are not EPA certified may be eligible for larger incentives .

“We’ve had a great response from the community,” said Margie Chambers, an air resources specialist with the Spokane Regional Clean Air Agency and coordinator of the agency’s wood stove replacement program. “We have been offering wood stove replacement programs on and off for almost 20 years. To date, we have replaced more than 950 polluting old wood stoves and inserts with cleaner wood, pellets and wood stoves. We have replaced them with gas and electric heat pumps, which has reduced particulate emissions by approximately 77 tons, an estimated annual reduction based on the expected lifetime of the replacement device.”

How can I find out if my wood stove is certified?

The EPA has several steps to follow to determine if a wood stove or wood stove insert is EPA certified. Some new stoves may have an EPA certification label. You can also search for your stove model in the EPA Certified Wood Stove Database.

How can I find exchange and recycling programs near me?

Find your local Clean Air distributor on the map below. Then visit his website for the relevant institution or region for the specific program. You can also send an email to the contact information below.

Regional wood smoke reduction programs