Department of Environmental Quality offers woodstove changeout program

You could save hundreds of dollars on a new fireplace, thanks to the Department of Environmental Quality.

The DEQ launched a woodstove changeout program for Pocatello and Chubbuck. IT received $200,000 in grant and project funding to be able to offer this program.

Melissa Gibbs, air quality manager for the Pocatello region, said this program is designed to help people upgrade from old woodstoves to newer, EPA-certified models.

So they’re offering a financial discount to help people upgrade.

“The incentive we’re offering is a $500 rebate,” Gibbs said.

There is also an additional 10% discount if the fireplace is bought from one of the four participating vendors the DEQ set up.

“Wood smoke is something that’s prevalent in our communities and it’s one of the various things, especially during the winter time, that can contribute to the pollutant levels we have during inversions,” Gibbs said.

Woodstoves produce up to five times more harmful smoke than newer models. Gases like carbon monoxide and other small particles are emitted by them.

So the DEQ said reducing the number of old woodstoves will help reduce the number of pollutants in the air.

Gibbs said if people get on board with this program, she expects it to make a significant difference. She said she’s already seen success with changeout programs in Franklin County, which consistently has good air quality.

“We’ve changed about 209 stoves in that valley with a population of about 13,000 people and we’ve reduced directly emitted particulate matter in that valley by over 20 tons per year,” she said.

The DEQ said there are other benefits to upgrading too.

“One of the main things folks who change out their stove will find is that the new stoves are a lot more efficient and you burn a lot less wood,” Gibbs said. “So you end up being very cost-effective when you change out a new stove.”

Gibbs said one of the key parts of the program is that old stoves are disposed of. If one of the participating vendors is used, Gibbs said they will take it away for you. Stoves will go to Pacific Recycling in Pocatello.

Gibbs said once the old stove is destroyed, you can get a receipt for it and submit it for a tax deduction under the Alternate Energy Device deduction.

The $200,000 in funding allows the DEQ to supply about 400 new fireplaces. It said it’s a first-come, first-serve basis.

To participate in the program, the DEQ said to bring a utility bill into them, showing proof you live in Pocatello or Chubbuck. Then, they will issue a voucher which you can then take and start shopping around for a new fireplace.

The four participating vendors are Mr. Mower, Nick’s Fireplace Outifitters, Rocky Mountain Supply and Webbco.

For questions or more details, visit the DEQ’s website.