Date

Wednesday, August 24, 2016

The program will open at 10AM on August 26, 2016, on a first-come, first-served basis for homeowners and landlords to replace their wood burning device. Funding will be prioritized for low-income residents, residents located in areas highly affected by wood smoke, and households exempt from burn bans due to a wood-burning device being the sole source of heat. Starting November 1, 2016, anyone whose sole source of heat is a wood-burning device must use an EPA-certified or pellet-fueled device that is registered with the Air District to qualify for an exemption.

Spare the Air Status

The Air District’s Board of Directors approved $3 million in funding for the incentive program early 2016. The funding will provide assistance for approximately 1,500 Bay Area households to replace older, more polluting fireplaces or wood-burning stoves with cleaner electric heat pumps, or natural gas or propane stoves or inserts. Residents also have the option to decommission their fireplace or wood-burning stove, permanently taking it out of service.

To be eligible, homeowners and landlords must own a residential property that is located within the Air District’s jurisdiction, and must apply for approval of their project and receive a Notice to Proceed from the Air District. Projects that have been initiated or completed before receiving the Air District’s approval are not eligible for funding.

Funding for a project can range from $750 up to a maximum of $12,000 depending on the type of project (device) and other qualifying criteria. A full breakdown of available incentives is shown below: 

Funding by Device - Air District Incentive

  • Electric Heat Pump - $3,500
  • Decommission Fireplace - $750
  • Gas-fueled Heating Stove/Insert (Natural Gas or Propane) - $1,000

Enhanced Funding for Select Groups - Additional Criteria

  • Low-Income Household - $8,500
  • Exempt Household - $1,500
  • Areas Heavily Impacted by Wood Smoke - $1,500

Anyone interested in learning about this program can sign up at our website at www.baaqmd.gov/WoodSmokeGrant or by calling 415.749.5195.

View the press release.

Last Updated: 8/24/2016