Mendocino County Air Quality Management District is offering vouchers to qualified residents in Mendocino County to replace a non-EPA certified or Phase 1-certified wood-burning stove or insert, or fireplace, used as a primary source of heat with a new, cleaner burning device. The new device may be an EPA-certified wood stove or insert, a natural gas, propane or electric stove, or an electric heat pump.
Download the form here: 2025/2026 Woodsmoke Reduction Program Application
If you are currently using an older wood burning stove, insert, or open-hearth fireplace as your primary heating source, you may be eligible to receive a voucher towards the purchase and installation of a cleaner heating alternative.
Eligibility
To be considered for this incentive program, residents must meet all of the following requirements:
- The old stove must be located in the applicants’ primary residence within Mendocino County. All eligible applicants may receive a Standard Voucher valued up to $2,500 or $7,000 for a heat pump. To quality for an Enhanced Voucher of $7,000 or $12,000 for a heat pump, applicant must be located within a designated low-income area, Tribal lands, or a disadvantaged community. Click Here for Link to Interactive Map
- Participation in a low-income assistance program (WIC, SNAP, CARE, LIHEAP), or low-income households with total annual household income of less than 80% of county median income are also eligible to apply.
- Must be using an old, non-EPA-certified or Phase 1-certified wood stove/insert, or open hearth fireplace as a primary source of heat in the residence.
Approved applicants will receive a voucher towards the purchase and installation of a new certified device. Vouchers are valid for four weeks from date of issuance. Once a voucher is redeemed, installation must occur within 90 days. New devices must be professionally installed by a licensed contractor in accordance with local fire and building codes. ‘Do-It-Yourself’ installations are not allowed under this program.
What's the process?
All applications must be approved by the District and issued a voucher prior to ordering a new EPA-certified wood stove, insert, or a natural gas, propane or electric heating device from a participating retailer, in order to be eligible for funding. Stoves that are replaced through this program must be permanently removed from service and surrendered to the participating retailer, who will render them inoperable and coordinate their disposal / recycling. Recipients must agree to abide by the Program’s guidelines, as outlined in the application.
This project is supported by the California Climate Investments (CCI) program, a statewide initiative that puts Cap-and-Trade dollars to work. This voucher program is subject to state requirements and agreements with the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and the California Air Pollution Control Officer’s Association (CAPCOA).
