Project Stove Swap
Region
MinnesotaTimeline
2017 - presentAudience
Tribal communities using wood as a primary heat sourceOverview
In partnership with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, local vendors, manufacturers, and community partners, Project Stove Swap helps Tribal members replace old, inefficient wood-burning appliances with newer, lower-emitting models.
All expenses are covered, including associated tile work, chimney repairs, etc.
Participant eligibility
Qualification for a free stove swap is determined by a participant’s eligibility for at least one of the following programs, or under other pertinent/substantially-equivalent income criteria:
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
- Medical assistance/MinnesotaCare.
- Women, Infants, and Children’s Program.
- Income-qualified Home Energy/Weatherization Assistance Program.
- Head Start.
- Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI).
Enrollment in the listed programs is not required.
Appliance eligibility
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. This equipment includes:
- Wood stoves, hearths, and fireplace inserts.
- Pellet stoves and inserts.
- Indoor wood furnaces.
- Forced air furnaces.
- Hydronic heaters.
Check your eligibility and apply
Interested in swapping out your old stove or wood burning appliance? Reach out to Alex Keilty, senior partnership manager, who will learn more about your appliance, confirm your eligibility, connect you to a local vendor, and walk you through the short application process. Local vendors supply new wood-burning appliances and conduct installations.
Latest news
Tribal-led outreach combats wood smoke pollution
Members of the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe and Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa are helping reduce air pollution from wood smoke in their homes and communities through Project Stove Swap.
Voluntary stove swap program warms homes, cleans air, cuts costs
Do you heat your home with wood? Burn more than two cords of wood per year? Have an appliance that was manufactured before 1992? You might be eligible for Project Stove Swap! We connect Minnesota residents to local vendors to swap out old, inefficient wood burning stoves for newer models.
Accomplishments
Since 2017, Environmental Initiative and our partners have achieved environmental, economic, and health improvement successes through Project Stove Swap.
584
older, inefficient wood burning appliances have been swapped.
$2 million
in local economic activity has been generated.
18
Participating small businesses assisted with stove swaps.
Old wood stoves and other wood-burning appliances made before 1989 release far more pollution than newer versions. The MPCA estimates there are over 77,000 wood stoves and 5,000 fireplace inserts of that vintage in Minnesota.
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.
Support Project Stove Swap
Demand for wood stove changeouts is high, and we continue to look for funding to support outreach and expansion. Foundations, government agencies, businesses, or individuals interested in supporting Project Stove Swap can contact Alex Keilty, senior partnership manager.
Our Partners
Project Contacts
Have questions about sponsoring Project Stove Swap, becoming a vendor partner, or swapping out your stove? Contact Alex to get started.
