Under the Clean Heat Exchange, rebates are either $1,000 or $1,500 depending on the type of stove. A limited number of rebates are available up to $3,000 for income-qualified homeowners. Brand new Heatilator ECOChoice wood and pellet stoves start at just $1199.00.

by Amie Rodgers

If you have considered upgrading your old wood stove for one that is more efficient and less well, dirty… Now is the time. The Clean Heat Exchange is a stove change-out program (executed by the American Lung Association and funded by SRP) that provides rebates to resi­dents of Apache and Navajo counties for replacing old wood or coal stoves with new cleaner-burning, more energy-efficient hearth appli­ances. (See press release for more information). Upgrading to a new hearth appliance will improve the air inside and outside your home, enhance lung health and save you money.

With such an opportunity available, we asked Jack at Wizards Hearth and Home to discuss stove options and requirements of this program. “We started the business in 1984 as a part time chimney sweep company in Flagstaff. We opened the Show Low location eight years ago and our large show room in Flagstaff five years ago. We started with one part time guy and now run eight employees full time. We love the business and have been in it for twenty five years. We are very big on customer service. We service what we sell. We take care of warranties so there is no out of pocket expense for the homeowner.

We get a lot of repeat business because of our commitment to our customers,” smiles Jack.

Today, Wizards Hearth and Home is one of the largest retail and sweep operations in the state. “We do about 1,600 cleanings a year. It is a dirty job, but somebody has to do it. We are the only company in the White Mountains that is nationally certified in wood, gas and pellet stoves. I am also a general contractor. We are also nationally certified in air duct cleaning. We do full service repairs on all stoves whether we sell them or not. We service all the brands and specialize in wood and pellet.”

In addition to their numerous certifications and industry awards, Wizards is also a certified retailer for the Clean Heat Exchange. “The Clean Heat Exchange must be completed by a licensed and certified retailer. Most importantly, the installers have to National Fireplace In­stitute Certified. During the change-out , the old stove is removed and recycled. Removal and replacement must take place by December 31, 2011, but is based on a first come, first served basis. We are hoping to get the word out and help people change out their old stoves while the money is there. To participate in the change-out, you can contact us to come to your home. Once there, we will document the stove or stove insert as a non-EPA compliant stove (manufactured before 1990) and make sure the resident meets the requirements of owning the home and living in Apache or Navajo counties. If the stove does not have a glass door on it, I can pretty much guarantee you it is pre-1990. Once we have established that, we install the new stove. Some people will enjoy a new stove without any money out of pocket whatsoever.”

For more information, please call Mary at Wizards Hearth and Home at 928-537-1010. Their Show Low show room is located at 1150 E. Deuce of Clubs in Show Low.