Starting September 15, 2022, before you use a residential indoor wood-burning stove, fireplace, or appliance in the Metro Vancouver region you must provide a declaration to follow best burning practices. Eligible appliances located within the
Urban Containment Boundary, must also be registered.
Learn more Metro Vancouver residents are eligible to receive a rebate for trading in their old uncertified wood burning appliance for a new low emission appliance, through Metro Vancouver’s Community Wood Smoke Reduction Program (formerly the Wood Stove Exchange Program).
For 2023, there are approximately 50 rebates remaining.
Rebate amounts are:
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$1000 for an exchange from an uncertified wood-burning appliance to an electric heat pump.
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$750 for an exchange from an uncertified wood-burning appliance to a pellet stove.
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$500 for an exchange from an uncertified wood-burning appliance to a certified wood-burning appliance.
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$400 for an exchange to an electric insert.
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$300 for decommissioning or removal of existing uncertified or certified wood-burning appliances without installing new heating appliances. Removed appliances must be demolished, disabled, or recycled to claim the rebate.
Rebate amounts for First Nation community members living on First Nations lands (e.g., reserve, treaty lands) are:
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$2,000 for an exchange from an uncertified wood stove to an electric heat pump.
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$1,500 for an exchange from an uncertified wood-burning appliance to a pellet stove.
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$1,000 for an exchange from an uncertified wood-burning appliance to a certified wood-burning appliance.
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$400 for an exchange to an electric insert.
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$300 for removal of existing uncertified or certified wood-burning appliances without installing new heating appliances.
Please note that rebates from Metro Vancouver can be combined with CleanBC incentives where applicable.
To meet Metro Vancouver’s Climate 2050 targets, and climate targets in the CleanBC Roadmap to 2030, exchanges from wood appliances to natural gas or propane-fired appliances will no longer be supported for purchases after December 31, 2022.
See our
Community Wood Smoke Reduction Program brochure.
Please note that rebates are limited and will be issued to qualifying residents on a first come, first served basis. The total rebate will never be more than the cost of the appliance.
How To Participate
Step 1 – Determine if your appliance qualifies for an exchange
The following appliances qualify for a rebate under this program:
- A free-standing uncertified wood stove.
- An uncertified fireplace insert, or tube type heat exchanger with a face plate and door (like the 'Free Heat Machine' or 'Welenco') that is currently installed in an open hearth fireplace.
- An open hearth fireplace.
- An uncertified "wood furnace" (ducted, forced air, home heating appliance) - may only be replaced by an EPA certified wood furnace or pellet furnace or heat pump.
- A "homemade" or "barrel" stove.
- A wood-burning cook stove.
Step 2 – Shop for a new low emission appliance
When you are ready to shop for your new low-emission appliance, visit a
participating retailer to arrange purchase. The following NEW units qualify as replacement appliances under this program:
- An electric heat pump that meets the criteria for BC Hydro's
heat pump rebate. The heat pump must be listed on the
rebate-eligible heat pump list.
- An electric insert.
- An EPA-certified wood stove or pellet stove.
- An EPA-certified wood insert or pellet insert.
- An EPA-certified factory-built wood fireplace – may only be accepted if it is replacing an uncertified wood stove or uncertified wood insert (not an existing factory-built fireplace).
- An EPA or CSA B415 certified wood or pellet furnace ONLY if it is replacing an existing uncertified wood burning furnace.
If you are removing an existing uncertified or certified wood-burning appliance, without installing a new appliance, please contact Metro Vancouver’s Community Wood Smoke Reduction Program Coordinator.
Community Wood Smoke Reduction Program - Participating Retailers
Step 3 – Obtain permits
- Contact your municipality about permitting requirements for the installation of your new appliance.
- If you're installing a wood burning unit, you may want to contact your home insurance company to find out whether they have any additional installation requirements.
Step 4 – Fill out paperwork and disable & recycle your old appliance
Your retailer will help you complete the necessary paperwork, and also with disabling & recycling your old wood appliance. If preferred, residents can disable and recycle their old appliance on their own, however, prior to beginning these steps you must contact the
Program Coordinator or your retailer for important information on the proper procedure.
Step 5 – Receive your rebate
The retailer will help you ensure that your rebate form is complete, and will forward it to Metro Vancouver for verification and processing. Please note that it may take up to 8 weeks, once the completed form has been submitted, before you receive the rebate cheque via Canada Post.
