Rebates are available for residents who want to scrap or upgrade their older, uncertified wood-burning appliance. Operating in partnership with the BC Lung Foundationand the provincial government, the Wood Stove Rebate Programs aim to reduce harmful wood-burning emissions from entering our airshed by encouraging residents to decommission older, non-EPA-certified wood-burning appliances as they emit more particulates than newer alternatives.
Community Wood Smoke Reduction Program
City residents may be eligible to receive up to $1,500 in rebates for upgrading to a new, EPA-certified, low-emission heating option.A maximum of 60 rebates will be issued in 2023, and they will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis. One rebate per household. This program is available until all rebates are exhausted. Please note that some application forms may expire before the program end date.
Available Rebates
| New Appliance Type | Rebate Amount |
|---|---|
EPA-Certified: • Wood Stove | $800 $800 $800 |
| EPA-Certified Pellet Stove or Insert | $1,000 |
| Electric Fireplace Insert | 75% of the appliance cost up to a maximum of $800 |
| Removal of Gas FireplaceInsert/Replaced With a QualifyingElectric Insert | 75% of the appliance cost up to a maximum of $800 |
| Electric Heat Pump | $1,850 |
How to Participate
Authorized program retailers will guide residents through the rebate process, including finding out which appliances can be upgraded, which appliances can be purchased as replacements, and installation of the new appliance.
Program Application Steps:
The following appliances qualify for an exchange under the Community Wood Smoke Reduction Program:
• a free-standing, non-EPA-certified stove
• a homemade or barrel stove
• an airtight, non-EPA-certified fireplace insert or tube-type heat exchanger with a faceplate and door that is currently installed in an open-hearth fireplace
• an open-hearth fireplace without an existing insert (may only be upgraded to an electric insert)
• a non-EPA-certified wood furnace (may only be replaced by an EPA-certified wood furnace or pellet furnace)
• a wood-burning cook stoveCheck if your wood stove or fireplace insert is CSA- or EPA-certified by looking for a label on the back. Speak to an authorized program retailer if you need clarification.
Visit one of the authorized program retailers to arrange the purchase of a new, eligible appliance and to obtain a rebate application form.
Authorized Program Retailers:
• The Fireplace Centre – 1200 Battle Street, 250-372-3424
• The Fireplace Gallery – 111-1339 McGill Road, 250-851-8849
• Jul Pam Heating Systems – Contact: Andy McKinlay, 250-351-4742 oramckinlay9@yahoo.ca
• Rapid Cool Mechanical – 921 B Laval Crescent, 250-374-6858Eligible NEW Replacement Appliances
• an EPA-certified pellet stove
• an EPA-certified pellet insert, or an electric insert
• an electric heat pump that meets the criteria for BC’s Home Renovation Rebate and Efficiency BC ProgramAppliances that do NOT qualify as a replacement:
(Rebates will not be provided to install these appliances.)• a new wood-burning insert for an existing open-hearth fireplace that does NOT currently have an insert installed in it (an exchange of an existing wood appliance must take place)
• electric stoves or fireplaces (replacement electric inserts are allowed)
• factory-built, zero-clearance fireplaces
• wood cook stoves—these are EPA-exempt and not covered by this program; they may be replaced by an EPA-certified stove or other non-cooking product within the qualification list above
• outdoor appliances
• tin heaters/tent stoves
• natural gas and propane-fuel stoves and fireplace inserts**To meet climate targets set out in the CleanBC Roadmap to 2030 as well as the City of Kamloops' Community Climate Action Plan, exchanges from wood stoves to natural gas or propane-fired appliances will no longer be supported under the program after January 1, 2023.
Coordinate with a program retailer to arrange installation. Your authorized program retailer will remove the old appliance and deliver it to be decommissioned and recycled.Contact your home insurance provider to inform them of the change in heating type and installation information as savings may be available.
Submit completed rebate application forms to the City for processing. It may take up to six weeks to receive a rebate. The City administers both the City and provincial rebates. Participants can work with their retailer to assess eligibility.
Wood Stove Scrap-It Program
Do you have an older, wood-burning stove in your home? Remove and recycle your eligible wood stove and receive a $400 rebate through the City’s Wood Stove Scrap-It Program.
This program offers a rebate for Kamloops residents who remove their uncertified, wood-burning stoves from their home but do not want to replace it. The program is open year-round or until all rebates are exhausted.
General Program Requirements:
- participants must live within City limits
- eligible stoves must be in a home within City limits
- eligible stoves must be currently installed in the home.
Note: Open hearth fireplace inserts are not eligible under this program.
Eligible stoves include:
- a free-standing, non-EPA-certified stove
- a homemade or barrelstove
- a non-EPA-certified wood furnace(ducted, forced air, home heating appliance)
- a wood-burning cook stove
Program Application Steps:
Register for the Wood Stove Scrap-It Program by completing this form.
You must provide the following documents when registering:
- Proof of residence (e.g. a copy of a utility bill with participant name and home address from the last three months).
- A photo of the installed wood stove with the code #ScrapIt2023posted on it. The code can be written on a piece of paper and posted on the wood stove prior to taking a photo.
For interested participants whoare unable to register using the online form, arrangements can be made to registerover the phone and to drop off required documents (proof of installed wood stove and Kamloops residence) at the Sustainable Kamloops office. Contact us at 250-828-3377for more information.
Eligible participants will receive a notification of approval and additional instructions on how to complete the rebate voucher by email within five business days of registration.The voucher will be mailed to the address provided during registration.A confirmation of receipt of voucher by email or phone call is required.
IMPORTANT: The wood stove must be removed and recycled and the voucher returned to the Sustainability Program Coordinator by the expiry date listed. An expired voucher will not be eligible for the program and will be re-issued to other eligible participants.
Follow the instructions on the voucher to deliver your uninstalled wood stove to the Mission Flats Landfill or a local scrap metal yard.
Submit completed voucher in person or by mail (address will be provided on the voucher) to the City for processing.
The Fine Print
- Funding is limited. Rebates are issued on a first-come, first-served basis for those who meet program requirements.
- One rebate per household.
- Please allow approximately six weeks after completing all steps for rebate to be processed.
Do you have questions or need assistance with registration? Contact sustainable@kamloops.ca or 250-828-3377.
The wood stove rebate programs support the Kamloops Airshed Management Plan’s goal of protecting our air quality and minimizing harmful emissions from entering our air shed. This is achieved by encouraging residents to decommission older, non-EPA-certified wood-burning appliances, as they emit more particulates than newer alternatives.
For those who do burn wood for heat, wood stove efficient burning information encourages residents to use clean, dry, seasoned wood or pellets in an EPA‑certified appliance as it produces up to 70% fewer particulate emissions and can be up to 30% more efficient.
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