Effective Friday, November 8, 2024 at 8 am, the burn permit suspension in Calaveras will be lifted.

Cal Fire News Release here

 

Woodsmoke Reduction Program

The Woodsmoke Reduction Program (Program) is part of California Climate Investments, a statewide program that puts cap-and-trade dollars to work reducing greenhouse gas emissions, strengthening the economy, and improving public health and the environment—particularly in disadvantaged communities. The Program is designed to help households replace an uncertified wood stove or insert used as a primary source of heat with a cleaner-burning and more efficient certified device.

The Program provides vouchers to eligible applicants for up to $5,000 toward the purchase (including installation and certain other related costs) of an EPA-certified stove or fireplace insert (wood, pellet, or electric) to replace an existing uncertified woodstove or insert.

To be eligible for the Program, an applicant must be using an uncertified woodstove or wood insert as a primary heat source. The incentive amount will depend on where the property is located and the applicant’s household income. The replacement device must be installed by a professional licensed installer and meet local fire and building codes. To ensure that the reductions in emissions are permanent, any device removed through the Program must be rendered permanently inoperable and recycled. The Program provides incentives for one replacement per household and is available to both homeowners and renters.

Retroactive rebates are NOT available under the Program, so applicants who remove the old device or purchase a new replacement device prior to being approved will be disqualified. 

FAQs

Am I Eligible for an Enhanced Voucher?

4 November 2022

Am I Eligible for an Enhanced Voucher?

There are three ways to qualify for an enhanced voucher.

  1. If the wood-burning device is located in a census tract that is designated as a Low-Income Community or Disadvantaged Community. Enter your address into the search box at the upper left on the map linked below to see if you are eligible. 

    https://webmaps.arb.ca.gov/PriorityPopulations/
     
  2. Submit proof of participation in one of the following low-income assistance programs:

    - U.S. Department of Agriculture Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Program;
    - U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP);
    - California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) Program
     
  3. Submit proof that your household income does not exceed either 80% of the Statewide Median Household Income (MHI) or the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) low-income limits for Calaveras County. This may require presenting pay stubs, tax returns, and/or income statements for each earner and, if qualifying using the HCD low-income limits, reporting the number of people living in the household. 

To see the current HCD income limits, click here.

Does My Existing Wood Stove or Wood Insert Qualify?

4 November 2022

Does My Existing Wood Stove or Wood Insert Qualify?

To be eligible for the Program, the Applicant must rely on an existing stove, insert, or fireplace that is uncertified, operational, and used as a primary source of heat in the residence. In order to determine if the existing stove qualifies for the program, the Applicant may do the following:

 

  • Determine when the stove was installed. Stoves installed prior to 1988 do not comply with the particulate emission standards and therefore qualify for this Program.
     
  • Check the stove model against the U.S. EPA list of current and historically certified wood stoves found on the List of EPA Certified Wood Stoves.
     
  • Check the back of the stove for a certification label.  Stoves that do not have any label describing particulate matter emission standards qualify for this Program. Wood stoves certified by the U.S. EPA to comply with the particulate emission standards are not eligible for this Program. These stoves will have a label permanently affixed to them stating that the stove is certified to comply with the 1988, 1990, or 2015 standard.


The applicant will certify the eligibility of their current wood stove or wood insert on the voucher application. The application will be reviewed by the District to determine if preliminary qualification requirements have been met. The stove’s eligibility will be verified by the retailer/installer during an in-home estimate.

How Do I Apply?

4 November 2022

How Do I Apply?

You'll need to provide some photos of your existing woodstove or wood insert, fill out an application, and determine what amount of funding to apply for.

You may email, mail, or hand deliver the application and related documentation to:

Calaveras County Air Pollution Control District
Government Center, Bldg E
891 Mountain Ranch Road
San Andreas, CA  95249
(209) 754-6601
Email

Once your application has been received, processed, and approved; you must come to the office with a photo ID (driver license or equivalent) to receive a voucher. The voucher is valid for four (4) weeks. You must buy a stove/insert by the expiration date. Remember to leave enough time for the retailer to do an in-home estimate. Note that a building permit is required. Give the voucher to the retailer at the time of purchase and the voucher will be used as a discount. Once the stove has been purchased, the retailer will have 90 days to install the stove.  Self-installation is not permitted. The retailer must take the old stove, render it inoperable, and recycle it.

Please call the Air Pollution Control District at (209) 754-6601 or email with any questions.

How Much Will the Voucher be Worth?

4 November 2022

How Much Will the Voucher be Worth?

Applicants that are eligible for Enhanced Vouchers will receive a voucher that will cover all eligible project costs up to a maximum of $5,000. All other eligible applicants will receive a $1,500 Standard Voucher. Eligible project costs include the cost of the new device including sales tax, installation including any parts, materials, permits, or labor required for the safe and legal installation of the device, and disposal of the old stove or insert. All eligible costs must be supported by appropriate documentation.

The Retailer/Installer will be required to provide a base estimate for the installation of a basic model that will be safe, clean-burning, and efficient. Upgrades above the base estimate will be paid by the Applicant. Designer upgrades and work not necessary for the safe operation of the new device will not be considered.

The District will pay the Retailer the approved voucher amount. Any balance due will be paid by the Applicant.

What Does "a Primary Source of Heat" Mean?

4 November 2022

What Does "a Primary Source of Heat" Mean?

"A primary source of heat" does not need to be the only source of heat in the home, however it must be used regularly and substantially to provide heat. This will be determined by the amount of wood that is burned annually. Receipts for purchased wood or other verification may be required.

What New Heating Devices are Allowed?

4 November 2022

What New Heating Devices are Allowed?

The existing uncertified woodstove or wood insert must be replaced by a cleaner-burning and more efficient device. Applicants may select one of the following replacement options:

  • Catalytic woodstove, wood insert, pellet stove, or pellet insert certified by the U.S. EPA
  • Hybrid woodstove, wood insert, pellet stove, or pellet insert certified by the U.S. EPA
  • Select models of non-catalytic woodstove, wood insert, pellet stove, or pellet insert certified by the U.S. EPA;
  • Electric home heating device.

The replacement device must be installed by a professional, appropriately licensed Retailer/Installer participating in this Program. The installation must adhere to all applicable local and state building codes. Self-installation of heating devices is not allowed under this Program. Any building permits or other required approvals must be obtained per local or State ordinances and shall be the responsibility of the Retailer/Installer or the Applicant.

The Applicant will also agree to receive training on proper wood storage and wood-burning practices (if applicable) and device operation and maintenance.

What Retailers are Approved?

4 November 2022

What Retailers are Approved?

Hibernation Stoves & Spas
2641 Highway 4
Arnold, CA 95224
209-795-4339
www.hibernation.com

The Red Store
220 Allen Lane
Murphys, CA 95247
209-728-3303
www.theredstorehardware.com

Sierra Hearth and Home
619-B South Highway 49
Jackson, CA  95642
209-223-4007
www.sierrahearthandhome.net

Top Quality Insulation & Fireplaces
105 Main Street
Valley Springs, CA  95252
209-772-2501
www.tqiservices.com

Winters Stove Works
14266 Tuolumne Road
Sonora, CA 95370
209-532-5700
www.wintersstoveworks.com

These are the only retailers currently authorized to participate in the Woodsmoke Reduction Program.