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LETTER: Turn up dial on heat pump promotion

I would just like to contend a statement made in this paper a few weeks ago about wood-burning stoves being the only way that some fixed income families can afford to heat a house, and that heat pumps cost a fortune to buy and install.
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I would just like to contend a statement made in this paper a few weeks ago about wood-burning stoves being the only way that some fixed income families can afford to heat a house, and that heat pumps cost a fortune to buy and install.

Having just installed a heat pump system in my home, I can say that if there is any significant difference in price between a new heat pump and a new, professionally installed, EPA-rated wood burning stove with a proper flue liner, it is slight at best.

A rebate from BC Hydro of $800 plus a rebate from the heat pump sales company of $700 brought my installed cost down significantly. My electricity cost is estimated to drop by 50 to 75 per cent. The rebate for a wood stove is only if you replace an old one, and that is $250.

The disadvantage with wood stoves is that you should only burn seasoned wood, which has been kept dry. Not to mention the polluting smoke and awful smell that is upsetting and harming the health of all your neighbours. Also, wood burning stoves only heat in the winter. Heat pumps heat in winter and cool in summer.

OK, Mr. Mayor and Parksville council members: it’s time to endorse and promote heat pumps and ban polluting wood stoves. So get on board and become part of the 21st century, and become a truly eco-friendly and progressive city council. Be leaders, not the led!

Bob Budd

Parksville