Woodsmoke Reduction Program Voucher Application

About the Woodsmoke Reduction Program:

The Yolo-Solano Air Quality Management District (District) offers monetary vouchers to eligible households to go towards the purchase of heat pumps, clean woodstoves, and gas, propane, and electric inserts.

Participating merchants will accept vouchers issued by the District and apply a point-of-sale discount to the purchase price of the new device and installation costs equal to the voucher amount. For heat pumps, the District offers a standard voucher amount of $5,000 and an enhanced voucher amount of $10,000. For all other eligible devices, the District offers a standard voucher amount of $2,500 and an enhanced voucher amount of $5,000. 

Program details vary depending on the type of device you would like to purchase. Please proceed with the application to view all requirements. 

General Eligibility Criteria:

In order to be eligible to participate in this program, households must:

• Be located in the District's boundaries, which include all of Yolo County and the northeastern portion of Solano County, including Dixon, Vacaville, and Rio Vista (see map below or email grants@ysaqmd.org to determine if your household address is located within the Yolo-Solano Air Quality Management District); and
• Have an operational fireplace or an operational, uncertified woodstove/insert.

To qualify for this program, you must not have destroyed your existing wood-burning device or purchased the new device until after the District has issued your voucher. No retroactive rebates are allowed. 

District Boundaries:

The map below shows the boundaries of the District. In order to be eligible to participate in this program, households must be located within the District.

If you need assistance determining whether your household is located within the District, please email your address to woodstove@ysaqmd.org. 

Unfortunately, your household is ineligible to participate because it is located outside of the Yolo-Solano Air Quality Management District's boundaries. 

If your household is located in Solano County outside of the District's boundaries, you can contact the Bay Area Air District for further assistance at 415-749-4900. 

If your household is located in Sacramento County, you can contact the Sacramento Metropolian Air Quality Management District at 279-207-1122.

Do I Have an Uncertified Woodburning Device?

Only households with currently operational, uncertified wood-burning devices are eligible to participate in this program. You can use the following resources to determine if your wood-burning device is uncertified:

• All open-hearth fireplaces, regardless of manufacturing year, are uncertified and eligible for replacement through this program. 
• All woodstoves and inserts installed before July 1, 1988 are uncertified and eligible for replacement through this program. 
• All woodstoves and inserts not listed in the U.S. EPA's list of certified wood heaters, linked here, are considered uncertified and eligible for replacement through this program. 
• If the back of your woodstove does not have a certification label, it is considered uncertified and eligible for replacement through this program.

Woodstoves with permanently affixed labels stating that the stove is certified to comply with the 1988, 1990, 2015, or 2020 U.S. EPA standards are not eligible for replacement through this program.

Unfortunately, your household is ineligible to participate in the Woodsmoke Reduction Program. Your existing wood-burning device must be uncertified and operational. 

To qualify for a heat pump voucher, households are required to have used their existing wood-burning device as a primary source of heat in the winter.

Unfortunately, your household is ineligible to receive a monetary voucher to go towards the purchase of a heat pump through the Woodsmoke Reduction Program. In order to be eligible for a heat pump device voucher, your household must use your existing wood-burning device as the primary source of heat in the winter.

You may still be eligible to receive a voucher for a different type of cleaner heating device, including a certified woodstove or a wood-burning, natural gas, propane, or electric insert.

Why might I still be eligible to receive a voucher for a different type of clean heating device?

The District uses two sources of grant funding to run its Woodsmoke Reduction Program. Funding for heat pump vouchers is provided by the California Air Resources Board, which requires for the existing wood-burning device to be used as a primary source of heat. Funding for all other eligible types of clean heating devices is provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, which does not require the existing wood-burning device to be used as a primary source of heat. 

If you would like to apply for a voucher for a different type of clean heating device, please go back two pages to the New Device Type question.

To determine if your household is eligible for an enhanced $10,000 voucher, please enter your household address into the map below.

If the map embedded above is not working, you can also find it using the following link: https://gis.carb.arb.ca.gov/portal/apps/experiencebuilder/experience/?id=5dc1218631fa46bc8d340b8e82548a6a&page=Priority-Populations-4_0. 

If you would like assistance using the mapping tool, please email your address to heatpump@ysaqmd.org. 

Please note that a proof of address document will be required for verification purposes. 

Residents living within all incorporated cities in the District are eligible (Davis, Dixon, Rio Vista, West Sacramento, Winters, Woodland, Vacaville). However, if your household is located in Esparto, Capay, Tancred, or Guinda, it may not be eligible. 

If your household is located outside of an incorporated city, please enter your address into the mapping tool below. Otherwise, you may select "Yes" and proceed to the next page. 

You can also access the above map by using the following link: https://ysaqmd.maps.arcgis.com/apps/instant/basic/index.html?appid=a59791ce89384af091bc1820997e1fa2. 

If you would like assistance using the mapping tool, please email your address to woodstove@ysaqmd.org. 

Unfortunately, your household is ineligible to receive a monetary voucher to go towards the purchase of a woodstove or gas, propane, or electric insert through the Woodsmoke Reduction Program. In order to be eligible for a voucher for one of these devices, your household must be located within the federally defined Sacramento Federal Nonattainment Area for fine particulate matter.

You may still be eligible to receive a voucher for an electric heat pump. 

Why might I still be eligible to receive a voucher for an electric heat pump?

The District uses two sources of grant funding to run its Woodsmoke Reduction Program. Funding for woodstoves and gas, propane, and electric inserts is provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, which requires for eligible households to be located within the Sacramento Federal Nonattainment Area for fine particulate matter. Funding for heat pumps is provided by the California Air Resources Board, which does not have that requirement. 

If you would like to apply for a voucher for a different type of clean heating device, please go back to the New Device Type question.

If your household participates in a low-income program, you may be eligible for an enhanced voucher amount. Supporting documentation will be required for verification purposes.

If your household's combined income is below one of the following income thresholds, you may be eligible for an enhanced voucher amount. Supporting documentation will be required for verification purposes.

 

To complete your application, please submit a quote from the participating retailer of your choice:

• Custom Fireside
• Gallery of Fireplaces
• Giddens Brothers
• Pacific Hearth and Home
• California Mantel & Fireplace, Inc.
• Thompson's Heating & Air

If you would like to work with a retailer that is not listed above, please have them email woodstove@ysaqmd.org to sign up.

Please complete the Owner-Tenant Agreement linked below. You may print it and have it signed by both parties, or you may download it and have it e-signed by both parties. Please note that electronic signatures must be certified. 

I certify the following:

• I understand that only a currently installed and operating non-EPA certified wood burning devices used as a primary source of heat is eligible to be replaced under this program.
• I understand that participants are limited to receiving one (1) voucher per address.
• I understand that applications are processed in the order they are received. Vouchers will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. Funding is limited; vouchers are not guaranteed. The voucher will only be valid for four (4) weeks from the date of its issuance. No retroactive rebates are available. Voucher expiration date may be extended at the discretion of the District.
• I understand that if I qualify, I will receive a voucher and a current list of Participating Retailers who will honor the voucher if it is submitted by the expiration date written on the voucher.
• The participating retailer who installs the new device is responsible for properly dismantling and disposing of the old device. Since the replacement device is an electric heat pump, I understand I am allowed to retain the old wood burning device to serve as emergency heat only in case of a power outage.
• If I choose to replace a device with funds from this program, I will make a commitment to purchase an eligible device from a Participating Retailer within the four (4) week period and authorize the retailer to forward to the District a notification of the purchase agreement, with verification that my existing wood burning device is not EPA-certified.
• I understand that devices purchased with funds from this program will be professionally installed by a licensed installer and that there may be additional costs for installation including a permit from my community for installation. Installations must comply with all local fire and building codes.  The installation must be coordinated and certified by the Participating Retailer and must be completed within ninety (90) days of redeeming the voucher. Installation expiration date may be extended at the discretion of the District.
• I understand that I am responsible to pay the retailer for the purchase price of my new device, less the voucher amount. I also understand that I am responsible for paying for any upgrades beyond a safe, basic model.
• I understand that I will forfeit my voucher if I provide the District with false information or fail to obtain any required permit or if the required information is not submitted to the District prior to the expiration date listed on the voucher.
• The District does not warranty any devices purchased under this voucher program, including, but not limited to, the quality or functionality of the device.
• I understand that proper wood burning practices (e.g., burning only dry, seasoned wood) and proper stove installation and operation (e.g., maintaining a hot fire) are critical to the effectiveness of a wood-burning device. I further agree to receive training on proper wood storage and wood burning practices (if applicable) and device operation and maintenance from the Participating Retailer or installer.
• I understand that the District and the State of California may inspect all work and associated records with 30-day advanced notice.
• Applications will be treated in accordance with Public Records Act requirements. Certain information, subject to those requirements, may be publicly disclosed.

District staff will review your application after it has been submitted. If funding is available upon its submission, District staff will inform you that funding has been reserved for this application and provide you with the list of participating heat pump installers who can give you a quote.

Please continue to the next page.

By submitting this application, I certify the following:

• I understand that only currently installed and operating qualified wood/pellet heating devices are eligible to be replaced under this program.
• I will be replacing an operable qualified heating device that is currently in use in my residence. The old device will be removed from service and rendered permanently and irreversibly inoperable.
• I understand I will be required to provide proof of my monthly income or other qualifying documentation (if applying as a low-income household).
• I understand that I will be disqualified from this program if I provide the District with false information or if the old, qualified heating device is removed from the residence prior to application approval or if a new device is purchased prior to application approval.
• I understand voucher may only be redeemed at a participating dealer for an eligible heating device.
• No retroactive rebates are available.
• I understand that devices purchased with funds from this program must be professionally installed by participating dealers/installers. Self-installation of the device is prohibited. Any additional construction or handyman services not done by the installer will not be covered under this program.
• I understand that the new device belongs to the property owner. I agree not to give away or sell the new device and acknowledge that it is a fixture and is to remain with the home if the home is transferred or sold for the duration of its useful life or until replaced with a cleaner burning device.
• I understand the District does not warranty any devices purchased under this program, including, but not limited to, the quality, functionality or satisfaction of the device.
• I agree to hold harmless the District and its directors, employees and agents from any and all loss, damage, or liability that arises out of or is in any way connected with installation or use of the device purchased in connection with this program.
• I will follow proper burning practices as discussed by the Retailer/Installer and in accordance with EPA Burn Wise educational materials. I will operate this device according to the manufacturer’s instructions and I will not burn pressure treated wood, garbage/trash, plastic or any other prohibited materials.
• I understand that proper wood storage, wood burning practices (e.g., burning only dry, natural wood that has been seasoned at least 6 months) and proper stove installation and operation (e.g., maintaining a hot fire) are critical to the effectiveness of my new device.
• I understand that an annual cleaning and inspection by a professional chimney sweep is critical to maintaining a wood/pellet device.

To complete your application, please click the "Submit" button below. Please do not scrap your existing wood-burning device or purchase the new device until after your voucher has been issued, as doing so may disqualify your application from receiving funding.