"10 Questions With......"
Nadi Fleschhut - Program coordinator for
"The Great Sunshine Coast Wood Stove Exchange Program"
January, 2011 Interview

What are the health impacts of wood smoke on humans and the environment?

Many human health problems are associated with wood smoke pollution. Exposure to particulates penetrates deep into the lungs and is linked to asthma, acute respiratory symptoms, chronic bronchitis, decreased lung function, and even heart disease. In addition, black carbon, a form of particulate air pollution often produced from biomass burning, is a contributor to global warming and has a warming effect in the atmosphere three to four times greater than prevailing estimates. Because our coastal topography creates "air inversions", smoke often doesn’t disperse well, and hangs around to become an even greater concern.

"The Great Sunshine Coast Wood Stove Exchange Program" is the flagship initiative of the Sunshine Coast Clean Air Society. Now operating in its second year, what are the goals of this program?

The program is designed to help our community make the shift away from old, high-emission wood burning appliances to low-emission, EPA certified heating appliances, and to provide education on how to "Burn It Smart". The goal is to increase our local air quality for the health of all, including our local ecosystem. Through helping people make the change to efficient technologies and practices, we not only positively impact our communities’ health, but also help folks save money, time and resources that are wasted through inefficient home heating.

How does "The Great Sunshine Coast Wood Stove Exchange Program" work?

Sunshine Coast residents can exchange their old (pre-1994) wood-burning stove for a qualified EPA/CSA B415.1 approved appliance, and are then eligible for a $250 rebate. We have 75 rebates available this year, on a first come, first serve basis. If you’re interested in participating, simply visit your local home heating retailer, and ask about the program. Six local retailers carry our vouchers, which are available upon purchase of an approved appliance. If you have another retailer in mind, simply contact me and I’ll arrange to get a voucher to you. In order to be eligible for the rebate, your old stove must be recycled, rather than re-used. Participants can drop off their old stoves for free at two local recycling depots.

What are the advantages of efficient EPA/CSA approved heating appliances?

Old wood stoves burn at least 1/3 more wood, emit up to 70 - 90% more smoke and emissions, and increase the risk of chimney fires. They release between 40 – 80 grams of smoke per hour, while new certified models produce only 2 – 5 grams per hour. Keeping an old inefficient wood-burning stove going requires a lot of time and money spent in fuel – and much of that literally goes up in smoke! But it’s not just the stove that must be changed, but also the burning practices. If you are going to use wood to heat your home, the wood should be well-seasoned, and you should know how to efficiently use your stove. With a good stove and good technique, there should be essentially no visible smoke coming out of your chimney.

What types of wood stoves can be exchanged?

Any free-standing, non-EPA certified stove, homemade or barrel stove, and non-EPA certified fireplace inserts of tube type heat exchanger with a face plate and door that is installed in an open-hearth fireplace. Non-EPA certified wood furnaces, and wood burning cook stoves are also eligible. If your stove is more than 15 years old, it is likely eligible.

What qualifies as a replacement appliance?

An EPA certified wood stove, pellet stove, or gas stove/fireplace. An EPA certified wood insert, pellet insert, electric insert or high efficiency gas insert. An EPA certified factory-built wood fireplace (only if replacing a non-EPA certified wood stove or wood insert). They can be new or used, but must be up to current standards, and the value of the rebate cannot exceed the value of the appliance. Currently, Terasen Gas is also offering a $150 rebate for participants who make the switch to one of their high efficiency gas appliances.

What is the free "Burn It Smart" workshop?

When well-seasoned wood is burned properly at high temperatures, there is virtually nothing but CO2 and water vapour produced. When you see smoke coming out of your chimney, you are seeing the pollution particulates of what is essentially unburned fuel. At the "Burn it Smart" free workshop, participants learn to: increase the efficiency and safety of their wood stove, use less firewood, and significantly reduce their contribution to local air pollution. Featuring WETT BC’s Zigi Gadomski’s in-depth knowledge of the intricacies of wood burning technologies, and his eye-opening demonstration of old and new stove burnings – the workshop is both entertaining and informative. Everyone is welcome to attend on January 15th from 1 – 4 pm at the Roberts Creek Hall. Free workshop, free refreshments, and a chance to win a door prize … can’t get much better than that!

What are some "Burn it Smart" Tips?

Burn only clean, well-seasoned firewood to reduce smoke and creosote build-up. Not only is it better for your stove and your lungs, but you’ll also use about 25% less wood than if you burn wet wood! Firewood that is cut to length, split and stacked in the spring will be ready for burning the following winter. Properly seasoned wood has just under 20% water by weight, is generally darker at the ends and weighs much less than freshly cut wood. You can buy or borrow a moisture metre to test your wood and help you become familiar with what seasoned wood looks and feels like. When kindling a new fire, fully open all air inlets of the stove to create a hot flame that will quickly bring the cold firebox, wood and chimney up to temperature and reduce the length of a smoky start up. Burn smaller, hotter fires to ensure complete combustion of the wood. There should be very little visible smoke from your chimney and no smell of smoke indoors. Avoid slow, smouldering fires. Ensure sufficient air is reaching the fire through the stove’s air inlets to maintain the flame. Do not damper down overnight! Properly maintain your wood stove and chimney for efficiency and safe operation.

What items should never be burned in a wood stove?

Never burn household garbage or cardboard. Plastics, foam and the coloured ink on magazines, boxes, and wrappers produce harmful chemicals when burned. They may also damage your wood-burning appliance. Never burn coated, painted, or pressure-treated wood because it releases toxic chemicals when burned. Never burn ocean driftwood, plywood, particle board, or any wood with glue on or in it. They all release toxic chemicals when burned. Never burn wet, rotted, diseased, or moldy wood.

How can a Sunshine Coast resident participate in "The Great Sunshine Coast Wood Stove Exchange Program" and/or participate in the Sunshine Coast Clean Air Society?

If you care about clean air and would like to help us keep making a difference, please consider becoming a member of the SC Clean Air Society. We are offering free memberships, though donations are always welcome. If you’re ready to shop for a new appliance and are interested in our program, visit a local home heating retailer, and ask about our program. If they do not carry our vouchers, email or call me, and I’ll arrange to get one to you. Vouchers are generally given out upon purchase of an appliance, and the verification signatures are obtained from the dealer and recycler. You can reach me at: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 604.741.9859. For general information – see our website: www.cleanaironthecoast.com.