Utah Wood Stove Conversion Assistance Programs
Wood-burning stoves were the Utah home heating standard for centuries. Today, however, they are rapidly becoming a relic of the past.
Environmental and economic factors are among the many reasons why homeowners seek to convert their wood stoves to alternative fuel sources such as natural gas. Under pressure from the federal government to comply with air pollution standards, the state of Utah has implemented assistance programs to make this conversion affordable for residents.
Why Consider Wood Stove Conversion?
The primary reason that environmental watchdogs and agencies are pushing for this change is that Utah regularly violates federal standards for air pollution, specifically high levels of particulate matter. During the colder months of the year, particulates become trapped under an inversion layer. When we breathe in this dirty air, particulates can penetrate the lungs and access the bloodstream, causing countless health problems.
The two primary sources of harmful airborne particulates are vehicle emissions and wood-burning stoves and fireplaces.
But, environmental issues aside – as important as they are to the health and air quality of our state – consider the economic and convenience factors. Hauling wood is a hassle and, today, the costs add up quickly. Wood-burning stoves are also big turn-offs to most potential buyers so, for most homeowners, a wood-burning stove conversion will increase the value and salability of your home.
Getting Assistance for your Wood Stove Conversion
As important and beneficial as it is, making this switch is cost-prohibitive for many homeowners. The good news is that financial assistance programs are available throughout the state of Utah, to make this process both affordable and hassle-free.
Using grants and funding from a variety of sources – including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and partnership initiatives like the Utah Clean Air Partnership (UCAIR) – the Utah Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) coordinates our state’s financial assistance programs for wood stove and fireplace conversions.
In typical government fashion, however, the information provided on the Utah DEQ website and other sources is not always up-to-date. In fact, often, these sites don’t provide the information you need to make an informed decision about conversion. And that’s where having an expert on your side becomes invaluable.
