The AQMD has funding to help Sacramento County residents replace older, more polluting units with cleaner-burning, USEPA certified or equivalent units!
Current Program Status: Currently NOT Accepting Applications.
Background
There are 320,000 fireplaces and wood stoves in Sacramento County homes!
Wood smoke is a source of particulate matter, hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides, toxic air contaminants and odors. Wood smoke is linked to serious health impacts1.
Important Information
On days when poor air quality (Stage 2) is forecast, AQMD Rule 421, Mandatory Episodic Curtailment Of Wood And Other Solid Fuel Burning (PDF), prohibits the use of all wood and pellet-burning appliances, including certified appliances and pellet stoves/inserts. Please see Frequently Asked Questions (PDF) for more information on Rule 421.
Retailer Requirements
Interested retailers must request to participate in the voucher program by contacting the Sacramento Metropolitan AQMD and must agree to the program's terms and conditions by signing and submitting the Statement of Expectations (PDF).
Retailers must also submit a W-9 (PDF) for the reimbursement account.
Retailers must submit a copy of a valid California State Contractor’s License and copies of any other certification such as those issued by the National Fireplace Institute (NFI) or device manufacturers.
Download the customer voucher application form in English (PDF).
Auditing Procedures
The AQMD may audit compliance with this program. The voucher application, Statement of Expectations for the retailers, and the certification from the recycler will all include an agreement that the AQMD can audit to verify compliance with the terms and expectations. Audits will be conducted at a reasonable time and with reasonable notice to the participants.
Staff will also verify the disposal of the replaced units.
If requirements of the program have not been met, then the voucher will be voided and reimbursement will not be made.
Procedures for Retailers
These are revised procedures for the fifth implementation phase, which starts September 1, 2009.
Procedures from point of sale, through installation and recycling:
- Verify that the voucher is original. Original vouchers will have District seal. Also verify that the voucher is still valid by checking the expiration date on the voucher. If the customer brings you a voucher that had already expired, then advise the customer that he/she must apply for a new voucher.
- Verify the type of the existing device (e.g., fireplace, wood stove/insert) by visiting the home. For example, if the customer is removing an uncertified wood stove/insert, verify that the wood stove/insert is uncertified by checking the make and model number. If you are unsure, call the manufacturer.
- If the customer decides to purchase a new device, make sure to provide the discount at the time of sale. Do not tell the customer that the discount will be given at a later time. Do not take the voucher from the customer unless the customer signs a contact or enter into a binding agreement to purchase a new appliance.
- Notify the District via fax or e-mail by providing the District with the voucher number. The District will update the information in the database so that the voucher will not expire. This is very important specially if the customer brings you a voucher that is going to expire on the day of purchase. The timelines for notifying the District are specified in the in the Statement of Expectations. If you do not notify the District before the expiration date, the District will not accept the voucher. The District may not be able to issue a replacement voucher if there is no money left in the program or if the incentive period has passed. This means that the District will not reimburse you for the voucher discount given to the customer. This can be up to $750 for this phase.
- Complete the Retailer Section on the first page of the voucher and fax to the District no later that the expiration date on the voucher. This will assist the District in allocating the right voucher discount amount.
- Make sure to take a before color photo of the existing device. Please note that a before photo is not required for an installation involving a gas log set.
- Take a color photo of the installed device.
- Make sure that the customer signs the purchase invoice acknowledging that he/she has received the voucher discount.
- You must finish all of the installations and submit the paperwork to the District by the timelines specified in the Statement of Expectations. If you are not able finish some of the installations by the deadline, you must provide a prior written explanation to the District stating why the work cannot be finished. The District will review it and may grant an extension. Any paperwork submitted after the deadline without a prior authorization from the District will not be accepted for reimbursement.
Procedure for reimbursement:
After you finish the installation, you must submit an invoice to the District so the District can reimburse you for the discount given for each voucher. You may submit an invoice for more than one voucher. The following paperwork must be submitted for each installation:
- Completed original voucher singed by both the applicant and the retailer.
- Retailer invoice showing the discount as a separate line item. The invoice must be signed by the customer acknowledging that they received the Discount.
- Recycler Certification Form (PDF)completed by the retailer and stamped by the recycling facility. This form is only required if you are removing an existing wood or pellet device.
- Color pictures: One before picture for existing fireplace, wood, or pellet device and one after picture for the new installed device. A before picture is not required for a gas log set installation.
- An invoice to the District that list the voucher numbers, voucher discount and total discount given.
The District will not reimburse the retailer for any voucher discount if the retailer submits incomplete paperwork.
Contact Information
Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District
777 12th St. 3rd Floor
Sacramento, California 95814-1908
Wood Stove line: (916) 440-WOOD (9663)
Fax line: (916) 874-7896
woodstove@airquality.org
