THE ACT Government is offering rebates of up to $800 to Canberra residents who change their wood heater to a ducted gas system.

And people who replace their wood heater with a flued gas installation can receive a $600 rebate. Since the Wood Heater Replacement Subsidy program started in 2004, 953 wood heaters have been replaced with “cleaner heating alternatives”, says Minister for Environment and Sustainable Development Simon Corbell.

“The ACT’s air quality is among the best in the nation, however, we continue to have a winter particle pollution problem due to emissions from wood heaters particularly in Tuggeranong, as it sits in a valley,” he said.

“Replacing old wood heaters is a simple and effective way that individual households can contribute to lowering pollution and protect both our environment and our health.”

The wood heater replacement program is a partnership between the ACT Government and ActewAGL to provide incentives to encourage people to replace their wood heater with a new mains-supplied natural gas heater.

More information at environment.act.gov.au or call Canberra Connect on 13 22 81.