Princeton residents who want to get rid of their wood-burning stoves for cleaner units can now save money.
From March until the end of April, Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen residents can get a $250 rebate when they replace their old wood stoves with a new EPA/CSA emission-approved wood, gas, pellet or electric appliances.
Only the first 60 exchanges will be given the credit.
Participating retailers are also offering a discount of around $150.
“In many valley communities in B.C., smoke from wood burning units is the greatest source of particulate matter next to open burning,” said RSOS board chair Dan Ashton.
“Particulate matter is one of the main pollutants that leads to poor air quality and can have serious health impacts.”
New EPA wood stoves when operated correctly will reduce smoke pollution by 90 per cent and use one-third less wood, he said.
Chimney smoke is a sign of an inefficient burn, producing unnecessary air pollution, and wasting wood.
A workshop about efficient burning is taking place in Princeton on March 1 at the Community Skills Centre at 206 Vermilion Ave. The workshop runs from 6:30 to 8:30.
An old inefficient wood stove will be compared to the technology of a new wood stove in a live demonstration from 5:30 to 6:30.
For more information, visit the RDOS website.
