Assistance for wood stove change out now available

Press Release by SCOEDD

Fri Feb 21 2020 08:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

In an effort to continue improving the air quality in Klamath Falls, Klamath County Public Health (KCPH) has received a grant from the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to change out uncertified wood stoves, uncertified fireplace inserts, and open fireplaces with non-wood burning appliances within the Air Quality Zone.

In an effort to continue improving the air quality in Klamath Falls, Klamath County Public Health (KCPH) has received a grant from the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to change out uncertified wood stoves, uncertified fireplace inserts, and open fireplaces with non-wood burning appliances within the Air Quality Zone.

Priority is those with uncertified wood burning units as a primary heat source and that identify as low-moderate income.

KCPH is working with South Central Oregon Economic Development District (SCOEDD) to program manage the change outs that will occur.

SCOEDD has a long history of successfully administering and implementing a wood stove change out program. Through the Wood Stove Change Out programs over the last 10 years, SCOEDD has yielded nearly 500 woodstove change outs, with an emphasis on changing out devices in low-income households.

From 2016 to 2018 alone, the Wood Stove Change Out program facilitated 128 change outs (upgraded to either certified wood-burning or non-wood burning devices), sparing the community 5.59 tons of PM2.5 emissions per year.

With this current funding, SCOEDD is looking to change out 49 uncertified wood stoves, uncertified fireplace inserts, and open fireplaces with an alternative heating source, gas or electric.

Applications for this program will be mailed to those already on a waitlist next week. To participate in this program, contact Pamela Ruddock, Community Development Specialist at 541-884-5593 or via email at pam@scoedd.org.

Ms. Ruddock states “if you do not receive services from this program, there may be future programs available to help. Call and get placed on the wait list as soon as possible”.