We are in the midst of a west coast winter, which means rain…lots of rain and a dash of snow. While, we may not get blasts of arctic air like those living to the north and east of us, it still gets cold enough that we need to heat our homes in the winter.
How are you heating your home?
We use a variety of heat sources in our homes from electric baseboard heaters to woodstoves and everyone has their own preference for what works best. But, did you know that there are ways to have a comfortable home while reducing your environmental impact? On top of that, you may also save some money! Rebates are available for switching over to energy efficient and low emission appliances.
Save some money and do your part for the planet
Switching to an energy efficient form of heating such as a heat pump not only reduces your carbon footprint, you can receive a rebate when you switch over from a fossil fuel (oil, natural gas or propane) heating system. The CleanBC Better Homes rebate program is available to BC residents looking to switch over to a heat pump from a fossil fuel system. City of Nanaimo residents can enjoy a $350 top-up from the City in addition to the rebate. As a bonus, for a limited time, the program is offering double the rebate - up to $6,000! Find more information on the rebate, get your promo code and apply on the CleanBC Better Homes website. You can also take advantage of other rebates through this program; find more information on the CleanBC Better Homes Rebate page on the City website.
If you are looking to upgrade your old woodstove to one that is low emission, the City offers rebates through our Woodstove Changeout Program. This program is meant to improve air quality by helping those with old smoky wood stoves purchase a new cleaner burning stove. Eligible homeowners can receive up to $400 in rebates for the purchase of a new low-emission woodstove. Some rules do apply. To be eligible, your existing woodstove must be:
- A free-standing, non-EPA certified "stove", a homemade or barrel stove,
- A so-called "airtight" non-EPA certified 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,
- A non-EPA certified "wood furnace" (ducted, forced air, home heating appliance) - may only be replaced by an EPA certified wood furnace or pellet furnace, or
- A wood burning cook stove.
Your new woodstove must be purchased from a participating retailer. Finally, you must properly dispose of you old woodstove. You can find more information, a handy brochure and the rebate form on the Woodstove Change-Out Program page.
Woodstove image photo credit: Annie Spratt on Unsplash