Project Stove Swap

Region

Minnesota

Timeline

2017 - present

Audience

Residents using wood as a primary heat source

Topics

Air

Contact

Bill Droessler Email Bill

Overview

Project Stove Swap helps connect residents to local vendors to swap out old, inefficient wood burning stoves or appliances with a new model. Discounts to swap range from $325 to $10,000 depending on the type of equipment replaced and income level.

Older wood burning appliances manufactured before 1992, used as primary or major heat source in a household, and that consume at least two cords of wood annually are eligible for the program. Eligible equipment includes:

Wood stoves and fireplace inserts.
Pellet stoves and inserts.
Forced air furnaces.
Hydronic heaters.

Due to unexpectedly high demand, Environmental Initiative is not currently accepting new applications for Project Stove Swap.

Support Project Stove Swap

Demand for wood stove changeouts are currently exceeding current funding available for the effort. Foundations, government agencies, businesses, or individuals interested in supporting Project Stove Swap and expanding our impact can contact Bill Droessler, senior partnership director.

Contact Bill

Person wearing a dark blue jacket carrying seven pieces of wood. A pile of wood is visible in the background.

Why focus on wood smoke?

Wood smoke is composed of a mix of gases, chemicals, and fine particles. The finest particles are small enough to be absorbed by the lungs and enter into the bloodstream, which can cause a variety of health concerns, especially in children, the elderly and people with existing heart, lung or upper respiratory conditions.

Wood smoke and your health

383

older, inefficient wood burning appliances have been swapped.

$2 million

in local economic activity has been generated.

13

Participating small businesses assisted with stove swaps.

Man putting log to wood burning stove. Close up

I would not have been able to afford a stove, which is life changing for me, if it had not been for Project Stove Swap. When you’re on a fixed income, it helps you out financially to have such an efficient stove. I’ll be able to stay in this home longer down the road because of Project Stove Swap.

Ken Brelje, Palisade, Minn.