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Burn Wise

Implementing Wood-Burning Changeout Campaigns and Examples of Programs

How a Changeout Program Works

Approximately 10 million wood stoves are currently in use in the United States, and 65 percent of them are older, inefficient, conventional stoves. Just 20 old, non-EPA certified wood stoves can emit more than 1 ton of fine particle pollution (PM 2.5) into your area during the cold months of the year. A successful wood-burning replacement program and changeout can significantly reduce harmful pollution including PM2.5, CO2, methane and air toxics.

During a changeout campaign, consumers receive financial incentives to replace older wood-burning appliances with cleaner home heating, such as EPA certified wood and pellet stoves, EPA qualified hydronic heaters and fireplace retrofits, gas or electric appliances.

How to Implement a Wood-burning Changeout Program focuses on ways communities can use an effective residential wood-burning appliance changeout as part of a pollution reduction strategy. This guide identifies best practices and recommendations for a successful program and offers ways to maximize funding and air quality benefits.

Strategies for Reducing Residential Wood Smoke (PDF) (44pp, 738k) shares voluntary and regulatory guidance on how state, tribal and local areas can reduce wood smoke and improve air quality.

The Burn Wise Outreach Campaign Presentation outlines an ongoing effort by EPA to inform the public about the benefits of burning wood the right way in the right appliance and provides an essential education component to Agencies and nonprofits planning a wood heater change out.  The presentation includes visual samples of the free educational materials available to the public along with links to several videos on best burn practices and other topics that can supplement a changeout program.

If you are interested in implementing a wood-burning appliance changeout, contact Larry Brockman at brockman.larry@epa.gov or 919-541-5398.


Changeout Programs

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Examples of Changeout Programs

  • Navajo Nation EPA-- Implementing a Tribal Indoor Air Quality Program - this effort includes education on wood burning habits and changeouts.
  • The Native Village of St. Mary's Algaaciq Tribal Government received a Community Environmental Demonstration Project grant to replace old non-compliant wood-stoves with EPA-certified stoves in 12 homes.
  • Puget Sound Clean Air Agency has a comprehensive wood smoke reduction program that includes changeouts, burn bans, opacity and dry wood regulations, outreach and marketing and air quality monitoring and analysis.
  • The Air Quality Improvement Program in Fairbanks, Alaska offers reimbursement incentives for removing, replacing or repairing home heating devices
  • The Northeast American Lung Association conducted a tri-state changeout program as a result of a settlement between EPA and Dominion Energy for violations of the Clean Air Act.
  • Seeley Lake, Montana effectively leveraged partner funding to exceed its changeout goal.
  • Renewable Heat NY includes outdoor/indoor wood boiler and wood stove retirement with advanced system replacements.

Comprehensive List of Changeout Programs

Case Studies

See case studies of wood-burning changeout programs.