Community Wood Smoke Reduction Program

NOTE: Rebates for the 2023 Community Wood Smoke Reduction Program are running low. Please work with one of our participating retailers as soon as possible to secure a voucher number. Funds will be replenished in 2024.

The RDN is offering rebates to eligible residents who remove their uncertified wood-burning appliance used for home heating and replace it with an electric heat pump. The Provincial Community Wood Smoke Reduction Program (CWSRP) (formerly known as the Wood Stove Exchange Program) provides rebates for residents that change out old, smoky wood stoves for cleaner heating options including heat pumps, electric or pellet stoves and cleaner-burning wood stoves.

New Heat Pump Pilot Program in 2023! Electoral Area residents that are installing a new electric heat pump as a primary heating source can keep their existing EPA or CSA-certified wood stove to use as backup heating under certain conditions. See below for eligibility details.

To meet climate targets set out in the CleanBC Roadmap to 2030, exchanges from wood stoves to natural gas or propane-fired appliances will no longer be supported under the program as of January 1, 2023.

Eligibility

Applicants must reside in an RDN Electoral Area, City of Parksville, Town of Qualicum Beach, or the District of Lantzville
City of Nanaimo residents must apply directly to the City of Nanaimo program here
All applicants must complete a mandatory Provincial Survey, found here
It is recommended that applicants complete an online wood smoke education course to learn ways to minimize negative health impacts from wood-burning
New appliances must be purchased from a participating retailer
Existing wood stoves must be dismantled, rendered inoperable (damaged), and brought to a local landfill or transfer station for disposal, except for Electoral Area residents participating in the Pilot Program (see below)
For heat pump installations – Heat pump must be installed by a licensed residential heating and cooling contractor listed with CleanBC and registered with AHRI
For wood stove installations – If resident completes installation, before and after photos must be submitted along with a copy of the WETT Inspection for the newly installed appliance
Applications are accepted from January 1, 2023, through December 15, 2023
See the complete list of Green Building Program Terms and Conditions

Rebate Amount

$400 - Electric Insert (replacing existing non-EPA certified wood stove)
$500 - EPA or CSA B415.1 Compliant Wood Stove
$750 - EPA or CSA B415.1 Compliant Pellet Stove
$1,000 - Heat Pump (that meets the criteria for CleanBC’s Home Renovation Rebate and Efficiency BC Program)

Program Documents

Check out our program brochure:

Participating Retailers

Click here to view our list of participating retailers in 2023.

If you find a suitable electric insert from a retailer not listed, please contact the Program Coordinator for guidance on next steps. If your company provides similar services but is not listed here, please contact sustainability [at] rdn.bc.ca to be added to the list.

Apply For Your Rebate

Required Documents

the fully completed voucher form signed by the retailer
your invoice, showing that it is fully paid and that the installation and disposal have been completed

Steps to Apply

Notes: Most insurance companies require notification if you are installing a new heating appliance -this is your responsibility. The value of the rebate cannot exceed the value of the appliance.

Step 1: Qualify - You must have a non-EPA-certified wood stove to exchange (typically installed before 1994, usually don't have glass windows, no EPA label on the back) or be an Electoral Area resident purchasing a new electric heat pump participating in the Pilot Program to keep a certified wood stove. The wood stove must currently be in use (not already removed or decommissioned). You must live in one of the qualifying areas (see above) and be replacing the wood stove in a residence you own.

Step 2: Visit a Participating Retailer - Only appliances purchased through a participating retailer are eligible for rebates. The participating retailers will help you find a cleaner home heating option.
If you are a retailer who is interested in becoming part of this program, contact us at: sustainability [at] rdn.bc.ca

Step 3: Get your voucher form - When you buy your new appliance, the Participating Retailer will supply you a completed rebate voucher form (digital or printed). It is your responsibility to ensure that the retailer has completed the form in full and that you have reviewed the form to see what supporting documents you need to supply to the RDN when you submit the voucher form.

Step 4: Status of old wood stove - Your old wood stove must be destroyed to receive the rebate. Electoral Area residents keeping an existing certified wood stove must receive approval from Participating Retailer that existing appliance qualifies and photo proof is required.

If your supplier disposes of your stove, they must indicate this on the invoice.
If you handle disposal, you must dispose of the stove at an RDN facility and obtain a receipt for the disposal.
If you are an Electoral Area residents opting to keep your existing EPA/CSA certified wood stove to use in specific conditions, you must provide photo proof of the certification with your application.

RDN Wood Stove Disposal Locations:

RDN Landfill: 1105 Cedar Road, Nanaimo, Phone: 250-722-2044
RDN Church Road Transfer Station: 860 Church Road, Parksville, Phone: 250-248-5254

Step 5: Gather the required documents (listed above) and apply. Apply for your rebate using the instructions below.

Apply Online

Submit the required documents to the link below

Please allow 4-6 weeks for processing and delivery of your rebate cheque.

Other Ways to Apply

Submissions can be made to the Regional District of Nanaimo by email, mail or in person. Our office is open Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, excluding statutory holidays.

1. Collect the required documents (listed above)
2. Submit documents by email, mail or in person at the RDN Administration Building:

sustainability [at] rdn.bc.ca

Community Wood Smoke Reduction Program
c/o Sustainability Coordinator
6300 Hammond Bay Road
Nanaimo, B.C. V9T 6N2

Resources

If you are going to keep using wood heat, make sure you know how to minimize wood smoke pollution so you protect your family and your neighbourhood. It is recommended that you take the Wood Smoke Course below.

Wood Smoke Course - The Wood Smoke Course is a new, interactive learning tool designed to teach the owners and operators of wood stoves how to burn cleanly and efficiently and explain the benefits of doing so.