Residents of Sequim and Port Angeles and neighborhoods around those cities might now qualify for grants to replace old, uncertified wood stoves with cleaner home heating systems.

The Olympic Region Clean Air Agency (ORCAA) secured a Wood Smoke Reduction grant from the state Department of Ecology to provide wood stove replacement rebates for the more densely populated areas of Clallam County.

One of the primary pollutants within ORCAA’s jurisdiction is fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and the main source of that pollutant is burning, according to a press release from the agency.

“With the removal of just 60 uncertified wood stoves from the community, residents will reduce emissions by 10 tons of PM2.5 per year,” Dan Nelson, public information officer for ORCAA, said in the release.

The Wood Stove Replacement Incentive is available for residents of the most densely populated regions of Clallam, Mason and Thurston counties who burn at least one cord of wood per year.

To verify address eligibility, see here: bit.ly/Woodstove-replacements.

Residents who live in qualifying locations must remove and destroy one or more pre-2000 certified wood stoves, pre-2000 certified fireplace inserts, uncertified wood stoves and uncertified fireplace inserts.

Available rebates are:

• $1,200 for installation of any natural gas, propane or electric heating system.

• $1,800 for installation of heat pumps, including Ductless Heat Pumps (DHP).

• $750 for installation of pellet stoves.

Residents who simply want to remove and destroy an old, uncertified wood appliance without installing a new gas or electric appliance might qualify for a $500 “bounty.”

To participate in the program, contact your local hearth products dealer or HVAC installer. ORCAA works with those contractors, making it easier for the consumer.