Woodstove Program

Woodstove Changeout Grant Program

This program will provide voucher up to $3500 towards the purchase (including installation and certain other related costs) of an EPA-certified stove or fireplace insert (wood, electric, propane, or natural gas) to replace a non-certified stove or insert.

The Woodsmoke Reduction Pilot 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 the primary source of heat with a cleaner burning and more efficient certified device.

To be eligible for the Program, a homeowner or renter (Applicant) must be using an uncertified wood stove 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, with some households qualifying for full replacement cost. The replacement device must be installed by a professional, appropriately licensed stove installer (Installer) and meet local fire and building codes. To ensure that the reductions in emissions are permanent, any stove removed through this program must be rendered permanently inoperable and recycled. This Program provides incentives for one replacement per household. The replacement device must be a primary source of heat in the house. The Program is available to both homeowners and renters. Retroactive rebates are not available under this program, so Applicants who remove the old device or purchase a new replacement device prior to being approved for this Program will be disqualified.

Does My Existing Stove 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 which 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 1988, 1990, or 2015 standard.

The Applicant will certify the eligibility of their current wood stove on the Voucher Application Form. 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 Installer during an in-home estimate.

What Does "a Primary Source of Heat" Mean?

The stove/insert does not need to be the only source of heat in the house, but the stove/insert must be a primary source. It must be used regularly as a source of 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 can I Replace My Non Certified Stove With?

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

U.S. EPA certified wood stove or wood fireplace insert with emission rates not to exceed 4.5 grams/hour and 2.5 grams/hour for non-catalytic and catalytic stoves, respectively;
Natural gas home heating device;
Propane gas home heating device or;
Electric home heating device.

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

How Much Money Will the Voucher be for?

Applicants that are eligible for Enhanced Vouchers will receive a voucher that will cover all eligible project costs up to an initial maximum of $3,500. All other eligible applicants will receive a $1000 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 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. Districts will pay the Retailer the approved incentive amount. Any additional balance due will be paid by the Applicant.

Am I Eligible for an Enhanced Voucher?

Applicants are eligible for the Enhanced Voucher if the wood-burning device is in a census tract within Applicable County designated as a Low Income Community or Disadvantaged Community. Low income communities are identified on the following map. Just type your address into the search box at the upper left.

https://www.arb.ca.gov/cc/capandtrade/auctionproceeds/lowincomemapfull.htm.

Applicants may also demonstrate their income eligibility by submitting 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 with any utility company;

Applicants with household incomes between 60 and 80 percent of MHI do not typically qualify for the programs listed above. Therefore, to qualify for the Low Income Qualified Voucher, the Applicant will have to demonstrate their income eligibility directly to the District. This could be accomplished by presenting pay stubs, tax returns, or income statements for each person living in the residence and, if qualifying using the HCD low-income limits, reporting the number of people in the household. To see the current HCD income limits, click here.

How Do I Apply?

You'll need to provide some photos of your old stove, fill out an application, and determine what amount of funding to apply for.

You may email, mail, or 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)754-6588
dcarson@co.calaveras.ca.us

Once your application has been received and processed, you must come to the office with photo ID (driver license or equivalent) to receive a voucher. The voucher is valid for 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 Doug Carson at (209) 754-6588 or email with any questions.