The American Lung Association is pleased to announce the launch of the Northern Wisconsin Woodstove Changeout Program, which provides funding to residents who want to replace old, wood-burning stoves with new, healthier heating appliances. The program is for homeowners in the Wisconsin counties of Ashland, Bayfield, Burnette, Douglas, Iron, Sawyer and Washburn or the Tribal Reservations of the Bad River, Lac Courte Oreilles, Red Cliff, Lac du Flambeau or St. Croix Chippewa.
“Replacing older high polluting stoves with new ones is an important way for communities to reduce harmful particle pollution and improve air quality,” said Michelle Edwards, Wood Stove Changeout Program Coordinator for the Lung Association in Wisconsin. “The American Lung Association has long been committed to reducing residents’ exposure to wood smoke and we are proud to continue these efforts in Northern Wisconsin.”
The Woodstove Changeout Program works to improve outdoor and indoor air quality by removing old, high polluting, low efficiency wood stoves and replacing them with cleaner burning, more efficient EPA-certified wood, pellet or gas stoves. Through this process, the program lowers particle pollution emissions in the area. Particle pollution is made of soot or tiny particles that come from coal-fired power plants, diesel engines, wildfires and wood-burning devices. These tiny particles can get lodged deep inside the lungs and trigger asthma attacks, heart attacks and strokes. They can even cause lung cancer and early death.
The Woodstove Changeout Program supports local retail stove businesses who are working with the Lung Association. Participating retailers include: Duluth Stove & Fireplace in Duluth, MN; Energy Plus, Inc. in Duluth, MN; Fireside Hearth & Home in Eau Claire, WI; Nature’s Heat in Necedah, WI; Northwoods Stove and Fireplace in Hayward, WI and the Fireplace Corner in Duluth, MN. The Lung Association is collaborating with the North Central Hearth, Patio and Barbecue Association on this effort.
Vouchers are currently available for a range of criteria, from $2,000 – $6,000 per home. Applications for vouchers are offered in‐store or online. The number of vouchers is limited. The Northern Wisconsin Woodstove Changeout Program may be combined with the Federal Wood and Pellet Heater Income Tax Credit to maximize savings.
For more program details, go to Lung.org/woodstove or call 1-800-548-8252.
