Updated: May 2022 - Change-out
programs are now commonplace in the wood stove community, particularly in the
Northwest, with Libby, MT being the highest profile one. In Libby and
elsewhere, changing out old uncertified stoves to new EPA certified stoves has
demonstrably contributed to cleaner air quality. Typically, wood stove
change-out programs start with government funding, and then leverage in-kind
donations from wood stove manufacturers, stove retailers and others. (An updated list of "best practices" for stove change-out programs is
available here.)
However,
change-out programs sometimes provide fewer air quality benefits than
expected. And, per ton of particulate matter removed from the environment, they can be very expensive.
Raw numbers from Washington State based on money they spent versus estimated
emission reduction came to nearly $50,000 per ton of particulate. When
Washington State uses the EPA methodology for calculating cost per ton, the
mean cost was between $14,000 and $19,000 per ton.
In addition to the classic change out program designed to
reduce excessive smoke in particular town, valley or region, change out
programs can simply help rural households more efficiently use a local
renewable energy source. Also, manufacturers and retailers can undertake them
in the slow, summer season.
In assessing the effectiveness of change-out programs, the
Alliance for Green Heat found a lack of rigorous analysis or debate about how
to best achieve air quality improvements. Some states are starting to develop
more innovative features in incentive programs
instead of following the pattern set by the EPA and HPBA. Here are eight strategies that will improve change out programs. Virtually none of these
strategies, that many consider key parts of change outs, can be found on
the EPA or HPBA change out pages.
Expect push back from local government agencies, HPBA and/or retailers on
some of these points, but all of them are becoming more and more accepted.
1.
Controlling future installations of wood appliances
Too
many change out programs occur in places were people are still allowed to
install old, second hand stoves or even outdoor boilers.
Reports touting the success of change-outs in Pennsylvania, Indiana and the
Great Lakes states don’t even mention that while old stoves are being removed, uncertified outdoor wood boilers were being installed in the very same
communities. In Vermont and Keene, NH, more uncertified wood stoves may
have been installed since their programs ended than were removed. Before
spending limited dollars on change-outs, funds should be focused in areas where
the locality has enough commitment to clean air to stipulate that old,
uncertified stoves and unqualified outdoor boilers cannot be installed in the
future. In urban areas where wood smoke is bad, local governments should consider banning the new installation of all wood stoves and only allow pellet stove installations.
2. Prioritize
which stoves get changed out first
We
believe that some programs inappropriately used a first-come, first-served
approach when stoves used as a primary of sole heating source in more densely
populated areas could have been targeted first. While this does not apply
to valleys with inversions like Libby, where every stove is equally important,
in places like Massachusetts and southern New Hampshire, where funds can run out
quickly, stoves in the middle of towns which are used as a primary heating
device should be given priority. Some new epidemiology research is coming
out saying that stove change-outs do not necessarily improve indoor air quality
and the main benefit is to improve outdoor air quality that impacts the
community at-large. In change-outs that cover multi-county areas, or even
statewide, as in Vermont's program, we think focusing on stoves in towns is
warranted. Last priority should be stoves in isolated houses that only
use wood as a secondary heat source. Fairbanks may be the best example of
effective prioritizing based on location instead of using a first-come,
first-serve model. A related best practice that has been implemented by HPBA, EPA and others is giving priority or higher rebates to low income households. While this is a practical necessity in order for them to participate, it also helps the program ensure that they are getting more stoves that are primary heating appliance of the house.
3. Focus
on wood, not just stoves
Some experts are now wondering if a $150
rebate to help build a wood shed to keep wood dry may produce similar air quality
results as a $1,000 rebate for a stove. It’s well known that the
equipment is only half the battle, and the other half is the fuel and the
operator. Requiring firewood dealers to bring a moisture meter when
delivering wood and writing down moisture content on the sales receipt may also
be a good strategy. Change out programs could prioritize homes with woodsheds,
to help ensure that subsidizing a new stove will result in reduced smoke from
the home. Or homes with woodsheds could receive a higher rebate, which
incentivizes proper storage and educates people about its importance.
4.
Right-size the rebate and require partial payment
When
rebates disappear in a few hours or even a few weeks, it likely means the
rebate was too generous and a lesser rebate could have resulted in more change
outs. Also, rather than provided a fixed amount, programs that provide
50% or even 35% of the new stove should be considered, where possible.
When smaller, more targeted populations are involved like Keene, NH, larger
rebates are required, as they also are with low-income populations.
5. Integrate
wood stove inspections in energy audit and weatherization process
If your state is
particularly interested in retiring older stoves, it is important that state
subsidized energy audits and weatherization programs require that the auditor inspect the wood stove, just
like they check other HVAC equipment. Auditors can educate homeowners
about the importance of upgrading to safer, more efficient equipment, spot
dangerous installations, assist in removing dangerous stoves and sometimes help
get stove upgrades to be subsidized through low interest loans or other
programs. The Building Performance Institute (BPI) is taking the lead to
develop guidelines for energy auditors to inspect
wood stoves. In recent years, energy auditors have failed to include wood stoves in hundreds
of thousands of homes.
8. Ensure big box stores are included in the program
As long as professional installation is being
required in a change out or incentive program, including stoves from big box
stores can make funding go much further and enable more low and middle-income
households to participate. Allowing
purchases from hardware chain stores can make all the difference for lower
income families to trade out that old stove and afford a new one. Good quality stoves can start around $1,000. One of the highest rated pellet stove brands, Pel Pro, sell for about $1,300 at outlets like Tractor Supply and Northern Tool. Professional installation can be done by CSIA
accredited chimney sweeps if local NFI trained staff at specialty hearth stores
will only install their own products.
Especially if larger rebates are not provided to low-income families,
this is a vital way to help them overcome high upfront costs and help stretch program funding and change out more stoves.
9. Include heat pumps and gas stoves, with efficiency requirements
Most change out programs now offer non-wood or pellet appliances, as they should. Consumers should be given a selection of the cleanest appliances that meet their needs. If gas appliances are included, require that they be at least 70% efficiency based on the Canadian gas appliance database. The US offers to reliable database of efficiency on gas appliances and manufacturer and retailer information is often mistaken, wrong, absent or confusing.
Consumer education on gas stoves is crucial. See here for
AGH public comments on why the DOE should regulate gas stoves and their efficiency.
Background
Based upon an informal survey
of 10 change out programs in 2014, we found the average rebate for a new wood
stove was $627 dollars, but ranged from $300 to $1,050 per stove and much more
for low-income change outs. The median rebate was $670. Nine out of the
ten programs surveyed offered additional assistance to low -income applicants,
and three out of ten offered full rebates.
Change
out programs, depending on their size and scope, can cost a great deal of money
to run and advertise. Buy back or bounty programs that just pay to remove stoves and do not replace them, are increasing in popularity and should be considered alongside change outs. They are far cheaper, require much less administration, and can be run on a year round ongoing basis. The average cost per change out varies greatly between
programs. Libby, Montana had a large budget and was servicing a low-income
population so the cost per stove was higher. Pittsburgh program’s average
cost was relatively low, at $770 per change out. Higher costs per
stove do not necessarily mean they were less efficiently run, as there are so
many variables and so much need for costly educational programs that target
homeowners who are not changing out stoves, but may be emitting a lot of excess
smoke.
[Afterward: Sylvia Shultz of Clean Air Fairbanks took issue with part of this blog and you can read her response here.]
March 22, 2016 - The
Alliance for Green Heat received a $15,600 grant from West Penn Power Sustainable Energy Fund (WPPSEF) for a wood stove change out assessment.
The grant funds will be used to propose options for programs
that remove existing older stoves, and replace them with new, wood burning
appliances that meet or exceed the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
2020 New Source Performance Standards wood heater regulations. Such a program must also include a
measurement and verification component that ensures existing wood stoves are
removed, taken off the market, and disposed of.
