Santa Clara County residents can make a clean air choice this
winter by switching from burning wood to using natural gas. The Bay
Area Air Quality Management District is offering rebates ranging
from $300 to $500 to residents who switch from a wood burning
appliance to a cleaner natural gas appliance.
Santa Clara County residents can make a clean air choice this winter by switching from burning wood to using natural gas. The Bay Area Air Quality Management District is offering rebates ranging from $300 to $500 to residents who switch from a wood burning appliance to a cleaner natural gas appliance.
The Air District’s goal is to change out approximately 1700 old woodstoves and wood burning fireplaces to burn natural gas. Beginning immediately, the following rebates are available:
• $500 for replacing an older (12 years or older) woodstove with a gas stove,
• $500 for replacing an older (12 years or older) fireplace insert with a gas insert,
• $300 for installing a new gas fireplace insert into a pre-existing fireplace box,
• $300 for retrofitting an existing fireplace box with a new gas line and gas log set. (A new gas line must be installed to be eligible for this rebate)
Wood burning emits 30 percent of the Bay Area’s wintertime air pollution, including fine particulate matter which is especially dangerous to health.
In colder valley areas such as the South Bay, pollution from wood burning can exceed emission levels from vehicle exhaust. Wood smoke also contains high levels of toxins and carcinogens such as benzene, formaldehyde, dioxin, and carbon monoxide. Using a gas fireplace or stove can reduce these emissions by up to 99 percent.
The rebate offer is available only to residents of Santa Clara County and while supplies last. For further information about the program, please contact one of the participating dealers listed at www.sparetheair.org or call the Air District at 415 749-4791.
Tips:
• Avoid woodfires unless your fireplace or stove meets EPA design specifications for reducing particulate matter
• If your fireplace or stove is older than 12 years, find out if you qualify for a rebate from the Air District to upgrade to gas
• Choose a cleaner commute – carpool, use public transportation, bike or walk
• Combine errands and reduce multiple trips in the car
• Avoid burning leaves, trash, and other combustible materials
• Indoor air quality is also important, so eliminate tobacco smoking and reduce candle burning and woodstove use
