Tri-City residents with wood-burning fireplaces could be looking at hefty bills to replace them with low-emission devices if Metro Vancouver succeeds in toughening up wood smoke regulations.
Regional officials approved a move to consult cities, people who use wood-burning stoves and fireplaces, people who oppose their use as well as manufacturers and retailers to get advice on possible changes.
"We want to deal with problem burning," said Roger Quan, director of air quality and climate change in Metro Vancouver's parks planning and environment.
He said any new regulations would have to balance the needs of those who enjoy burning wood, those who are sickened by fine particulate emissions that the World Health Organization says are carcinogenic, and people on low-income who need to burn wood for heat.
"It's a polarizing issue," said Quan, who said a recommendation will likely be made following consultation this spring with the goal of having regulations in place by the next burning season.
But one Port Coquitlam retailer says people will not want to give up their warm hearths and while efficient, low-emission wood-burning fireplaces and stoves are available, they can cost up to $4,000.
Mike Masterson of Solace Home Comfort said his industry is being buffeted by changes while consumers are paying higher bills for heating, especially during cold winters like this one.
"There are people that are concerned about the cost of electricity going up because it's already shot up," Masterson told The Tri-City News. "I had a customer in here a few days ago, he got the bill for November and December and it was $1,000."
He said natural gas fireplaces are also a good option but the city of Vancouver is looking at cracking down on those, too, he said.
Still, the cost of conversion could be a barrier for some. According to Metro Vancouver, approximately 100,000 homes have working fireplaces or wood stoves.
Metro's Quan said the regional district will look at whether the provincial rebate for installing low-emission fireplaces could be increased (it's now $250) and how problem burning would be monitored and dealt with, likely through municipal ticketing.
He said establishing some standards is necessary because of the health problems associated with wood burning and the issue is dividing neighbourhoods.
And he noted future regulations would likely be phased in to allow for a period of education and give people time to make adjustments.
