KELOWNA - Get the most from your wood burning fireplace, insert or wood stove by attending a free Wood Heating Workshop.

It’s being held Wednesday, April 8th from 6:30 to 8:00 pm at the Environmental Education Centre for the Okanagan in Mission Creek Regional Park, Springfield and Durnin Roads.  A Wood heating specialist will be on hand to discuss how to burn safer, cleaner and more efficiently and answer any questions you may have.

Register to save your free space by emailing airquality@kelowna.ca or calling the Regional Air Quality Coordinator at 250-469-8408. All those who pre-register will receive a free gift.

This informative evening will also provide tips on safely installing wood stoves, firewood and wood heat options, how to burn without smoke, maintaining your wood heating chimney safety and understanding EPA and Emission ratings.

The evening event is part of the ‘Wood Stove Exchange Program’ in the Central Okanagan.  As an incentive wood heat users who trade in their old smoker for new, EPA/CSA certified cleaner burning appliance can take advantage of a $250 rebate as well as a discount of at least $150 by participating retailers.  For those wanting to exchange their old wood burning stove or insert for a gas appliance, Fortis BC is offering an additional $300 rebate for eligible EnerChoice gas fireplaces.

Regional Air Quality Program Coordinator Nancy Mora Castro says, “During the fall and winter months, it’s not unusual for Central Okanagan residents to use a wood stove, wood furnace or fireplace for heating.  Many people don’t realize that a properly burning wood fire does not smoke.  If you see smoke coming from your chimney, it is a sign that either your wood appliance is not burning efficiently or you may need to change the way you manage your fire.   Wood smoke is air pollution and knowing how to burn properly helps keep our air clean, is safer and can reduce the amount of firewood needed.”

She adds, “There are so many advantages with the new technology stoves. They use one-third less firewood and are safer because they produce less creosote which helps reduce the risk of a chimney fire.  And with less smoke, our local air quality is improved and that’s good for everyone.”

The Workshop and Wood Stove Exchange Program are initiatives of the Regional District of Central Okanagan Air Quality Program and are funded in part through a grant from the Province of B.C. and B.C. Lung Association.  For more information visit: regionaldistrict.com/airquality.

News from © iNFOnews, 2015