The Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD) is reminding homeowners that the $250 wood stove exchange program rebate is a limited time offer and will end April 30th, 2011.
The program that launched in February quickly garnered interest from local homeowners wanting to replace an old smoke-belching wood stove with a qualifying new EPA/CSA low emission-approved wood stove or other qualifying appliance. The CVRD is continuing to receive a steady flow of applications as residents recognize that rebates are limited and are offered on a first come, first served basis.
On Saturday April 2, 2011 the regional district will partner with local retailer Comox Fireplace and Patio to host an open house and demonstration. The event kicks off at 1:00 p.m. with a barbeque, followed by a Burn-it- Smart workshop that will highlight the benefits of new technology wood stoves and safe burning practices and conclude with a short overview of frequently asked questions about the wood stove exchange program and showroom tour. Participants at the Burn-it-Smart workshop can also enter to win $500 off their new low emission appliance; the winner will be announced at the CVRD’s compost education centre on Saturday, April 16, 2011.
“This event gives us another opportunity to clarify the eligibility criteria,” said Michael Zbarsky, CVRD’s manager of transit and sustainability, who oversees the woodstove exchange program. “It is important that homeowners realize that to qualify you must currently be using a wood stove that is not EPA-approved — that is, wood stoves built prior to November 1994.”
For further details on the wood stove exchange program and to download a rebate application form visit www.comoxvalleyrd.ca/woodstove or contact Patty Rose, wood stove exchange program coordinator at 250-898-1086 or by email at woodstove@comoxvalleyrd.ca.