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Wood Stove Changeout Campaign
Did you know?
Replacing 25 non-certified, older stoves with 25 EPA certified stoves can prevent the emissions of one ton of particulate matter (PM2.5) into our environment per year.
- How a Changeout Campaign Works
- Case Studies of Wood Stove Changeout Campaigns
- Links to Current Wood Stove Changeout Programs
- Past Programs
- More Information on Changeout Campaigns
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How a Changeout Campaign Works
During a wood stove changeout campaign, consumers receive financial incentives (rebates) to replace older stoves with either non-wood burning equipment (for example, vented gas stoves), pellet stoves, or EPA certified wood stoves. Approximately 10 million wood stoves are currently in use in the United States, and 70 to 80% of them are older, inefficient, conventional stoves that pollute. Because EPA certified wood stoves emit approximately 70% less pollution than older, conventional wood stoves, a successful changeout campaign will reduce local particulate emissions.
The costs of many local changeout programs, including advertising, are covered by a partnership of government agencies, gas utilities, and wood stove manufacturers, distributors, and retailers. In some areas the rebates to consumers amount to 10% to 15% of the purchase price of the new stove. If you are an air quality program official, EPA has developed a how-to guide for implementing a wood stove changeout campaign in your area.
EPA has collaborated with our partners to support several Wood Stove Changeout Campaigns since the summer of 2005. For future campaigns, EPA is likely to target locations in the United States that are
- designated PM2.5 nonattainment areas where wood burning contributes to high PM2.5 concentrations
- locations with Community-Based Air Toxics Programs
The cost of a new wood stove, including installation, can range widely depending on the make, model, and options for venting to the outdoors. However, a basic model can usually be purchased and installed for approximately $1,000 to $3,000.
Case Studies of Wood Stove Changeout Campaigns
Here are some brief summaries of changeout campaigns in various locations. They will give you a flavor of how other communities have promoted and supported wood stove changeouts:
- Wood Stove Changeouts are Happening! (PDF) (2 pp, 67 KB)
- Northern Sierra Air Quality Management District, California (PDF) (2 pp, 89 KB)
- Truckee, California (PDF) (2 pp, 39 KB)
- State of Idaho (PDF) (2 pp, 39 KB)
- Darrington, Washington (PDF) (3 pp, 102 KB)
- Yakima County, Washington (PDF) (2 pp, 88 KB)
Links to Current Wood Stove Changeout Programs
Here are some weblinks to wood stove changeout programs for several locations – ranging from rural communities to large metropolitan areas. 
- Yolo/Solano County, California - Residents of Yolo County and the northeast portion of Solano County who are replacing a non-certified woodburning stove or insert with a natural gas, propane, pellet stove or EPA certified wood stove may qualify for a $200 rebate.
- Sacramento, California - The Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District offers funding to help Sacramento County residents replace older, higher polluting wood stoves and wood fireplaces with cleaner burning units (EPA-certified or equivalent). A percentage of the funding will be targeted towards environmental justice areas. In addition, the District is planning a low-income assistance program for replacing wood stoves and fireplaces for 2007.
- Dayton, Ohio - The Regional Air Pollution Control Agency is offering Clean Air Coupons valued at $300-$400 to help residents of Clarke, Darke, Greene, Miami, Montgomery, and Preble counties replace pre-1992 wood stoves with cleaner-burning wood, pellet, corn, or gas stoves.
- Santa Clara, California - The Bay Area Air Quality Management District is offering rebates to retrofit fireplaces to natural gas, or replace wood stoves with gas-burning stoves.
- Truckee, California - The town, in conjunction with a local gas utility, offers financial rebates for the changeout of non-certified wood stoves with EPA-certified wood stoves or gas-service stoves.
- North Coast Unified Air Quality Management District (Del North, Humboldt, and Trinity counties, California)
- Southwest Pennsylvania [greater Pittsburgh] The Southwest Pennsylvania Air Quality Partnership and its partners are encouraging people to voluntarily make the change and have arranged special discounts at participating retailers. 75 new stoves were made available free of charge to low-income households; other households will receive a discount of up to 10% on new stoves. Most of SW Pennsylvania is not meeting the health-based air quality standard for particle pollution and the 40,000 wood stoves in the area contribute to that pollution. The goal is to replace as many wood stoves as possible. To start the campaign, the Partnership has established a fund to provide replacement stoves for low-income households. EPA and the Allegheny County Health Department have provided grants to support this public health campaign. The Partnership expects the campaign to include replacement of at least 1000 wood stoves and fireplace inserts with cleaner burning equipment between September 29 and October 27, 2005, with more replacements in future years as additional funds become available.
Libby, Montana, is not meeting the health based air quality standard for particle pollution. It is unique in that wood smoke is the primary source of its particulate emissions. To help Libby meet the particle pollution standard, Lincoln County, MT - in partnership with the Hearth, Patio and Barbecue Association, the Montana Department of Environmental Quality, and the U.S. EPA - has initiated the "Lincoln County Wood Stove Changeout." As of January 2007, nearly 1000 of the 1100 stoves have been replaced, and before and after air monitoring will be conducted to demonstrate the impact of the changeout on air quality.
Washoe County, Nevada residents that have a wood stove or pellet stove manufactured before 1992 may qualify to receive up to $500 as a rebate on the purchase of a stove from participating retailers.
News Release | Nevada Stove Rebate Program
For additional information on local efforts, visit the pages for Air Quality Program Officials.
The Great Wood Stove & Fireplace Changeout, carried out in Canada and the United States from February through April 2001, accelerated the turnover of old wood stoves by educating the public about the environmental benefits of replacing old wood stoves and inserts and by providing financial incentives for the purchase of cleaner burning appliances. While focusing on reductions of benzo(a)pyrene and particulate matter (PM), the wood stove changeout program also led to reductions in other air toxics (scroll 3/4 down the page). For more information, see
- General information
about the Great Wood Stove & Fireplace Changeout
- Starting a Wood Stove Changeout Program in Your Community
- Available Marketing Tools - 7/22/06 (PDF) (6 pp, 311 KB)
- EPA Great American Wood Stove Changeout Campaign Brochure - Southwest Pennsylvania (PDF) (2 pp, 2.1 MB)
- Brochure - Cleaner Air, Cheaper Heat, Safer Home: Replace Your Old Wood Stove and Save! (PDF) (2 pp, 2.7 MB)
- Poster - Cleaner Air, Cheaper Heat, Safer Home: Replace Your Old Wood Stove and Save! (PDF) (1 pg, 562 KB)
- A feasibility
study undertaken for the Clean Air Foundation provides an overview of the features of previous
wood stove changeout programs.
More Information on Changeout Campaigns
If you are interested in finding out more about EPA's upcoming changeout campaigns, in particular how to obtain support for organizing a local changeout program, contact Larry Brockman by e-mailing brockman.larry@epa.gov or calling 919-541-5398.