Project Stove Swap
Region
MinnesotaTimeline
2017 - presentAudience
Residents using wood as a primary heat sourceTopics
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.
Get started
Interested in swapping out your old stove or wood burning appliance? Fill out this short sign-up form to check your eligibility and start the process.
Become a vendor
Supply new, efficient, wood-burning stoves or appliances to income-eligible customers. Vendors will receive incentive payments for the stove swap. Vendors will also work with customers to complete applications, install the new devices, and educate customers on proper use.
How do I swap my stove?
1. Check your eligibility.
Review the eligibility requirements for participation. If you have questions about eligibility, contact Emily Kraeske.
2. Sign up, select equipment, and agree.
Fill out our short sign-up form. Project Stove Swap staff will review your information. If eligible, we will provide you with information on local, qualified vendors who will help you to select your new equipment, identify your financial incentive amount (PDF), and sign a project agreement form.
3. Install your new device.
You and your vendor will work together to arrange for installation with an accredited installer. Project Stove Swap’s incentive will be added as a discount on your vendor’s invoice. Customers are responsible for all costs above the incentive amount.
4. Learn how your new device works.
Once your new device is installed, your vendor will show you how it works and fill out a certification form on your behalf.
5. Celebrate!
Breathe easier knowing your new stove is helping your health and the environment. If you think any of your neighbors would benefit from a new stove, be sure to share the project with them!
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if I am eligible to participate?
Older wood burning appliances manufactured before 1992 that are used as a primary or major heat source in a residence are eligible for the program. This includes wood stoves and fireplace inserts, pellet stoves and inserts, forced air furnaces, and hydronic heaters. Project Stove Swap staff can help you determine whether your existing appliance is eligible for replacement.
What new devices can I install?
Project Stove Swap replaces wood and pellet stoves and inserts, hydronic heaters, wood furnaces, gas furnaces, and gas stoves and inserts. These replacement devices must be EPA certified or Energy Star certified, respectively, reasonably energy efficient, and be the primary heat source for the home.
Review the list of eligible devices
Why does my new device need to be installed by a certified professional?
Proper installation is critical to the safety, efficiency, and easy operation of heating appliances. Properly certified professionals have the industry standard in training and will make sure that your device is ready to run.
Why does my old device need to be recycled?
The goal of Project Stove Swap is to reduce air pollution by retiring older, inefficient wood-burning appliances. In recent years, technological advances have made new wood-burning appliances much more efficient, enabling them to produce the same amount of heat while producing significantly less smoke. Installing new wood and gas appliances saves homeowners and businesses time and money while helping us all breathe easier.
If an old appliance is re-installed, it is still producing emissions and jeopardizing the safety and health of its users. Old appliances must be destroyed and recycled in order to make sure this doesn’t happen to others.
Why focus on wood smoke?
According to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, the majority of the air pollutants of concern today come from smaller, widespread sources that are not regulated in the way power plants and factories are. These smaller sources include cars, trucks, construction equipment, residential wood burning, and residential garbage burning.
These sources contribute nearly 75 percent of air pollution emissions in the state.
In particular, 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.
Accomplishments
Since 2017, Environmental Initiative and our partners have achieved environmental, economic, and health improvement successes through Project Stove Swap.
200
older, inefficient wood stoves have been swapped since the start of the program.
$1.2
million in local economic activity has been generated.
500,000
car-equivalents removed from the road annually as a result of Project Stove Swap.
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.
Our Partners
Project Contacts
Connecting businesses with Project Stove Swap is an essential element of our success. Contact us to become a vendor, sell a cleaner-burning wood stove, and be a part of making our air cleaner.
