This may be the last chance to take advantage of provincial incentives to upgrade your old wood burning stove to a new, cleaner burning and energy efficient model, as further funding for the program is in doubt.

Wildsight program coordinator Erna Jensen-Shill reports that there are just 25 rebates of $250 remaining for residents of Cranbrook, Kimberley and Regional District of East Kootenay Electoral Areas C and E, wishing to upgrade to a new EPA/CSA approved model.

The cities of Cranbrook, Kimberley and the RDEK will also waive the building permit fees for installation of the new appliances ($50 – $75). Additionally, participating retailers in Kimberley and Cranbrook will offer up to an additional $150 off new stove models during the months of March and April.

The goal of the program is to improve air quality. A new EPA/CSA certified stove produces about 90 per cent less particulate matter (smoke), which improves air quality in and around homes. Other benefits of the new models is that they require less wood and are generally safer – certified wood stoves will greatly reduce creosote buildup which is the prime cause of chimney fires.

Wildsight is also offering a ‘Master Burner’ contest to participants who qualify for the exchange program by March 31. Lucky participants will win one hour of WETT certified expertise from Richard Hedrich at Tip Top Chimney Services, along with tools to increase their wood burning efficiency such as moisture meters to test the dryness of wood prior to burning.

For more information on the program contact [email protected] or 250 427 2535 ex 224, or www.wildsight.ca/kimcran/cleanair.

Wildsight

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