Arizona Association Voucher Reduces Cost For Propane Fire Pits

PHOENIX, ARIZONA (December 18, 2017) — The Arizona Propane Gas Association (APGA) and Maricopa County Air Quality Department have teamed up to help Phoenix residents offset the cost of switching from burning wood in fire pits and fireplaces to using clean-burning propane instead. The partnership is an effort to reduce the amount of air pollution that plagues the city, especially during the winter months, as reported in the USA Today, December 15, 2017.

The goal of the Burn Cleaner, Burn Better program is to reduce smoke in the air during winter. Thanks to a partnership between the Arizona Propane Gas Association, Maricopa County, and Home Depot, residents of the county can upgrade from a wood-burning fire pit to a cleaner-burning propane option at a reduced cost. The program announced homeowners in the county get a $75 voucher to be used at Home Depot toward the purchase of a propane-fueled fire pit. To take part in the program, email first and last name to

.

“We’re very excited to partner with Maricopa County with this,” said Mike Wilson, president of the Arizona Propane Gas Association. “This is a great opportunity to reduce pollution by replacing wood-burning fire pits with propane.”

Propane-burning fire pits produce less smoke and soot, which reduces the amount of particulate matter released into the air.

Homeowners may also receive financial assistance to convert wood-burning fireplaces into gas units. Homeowners who don’t have gas lines on their property or who live in neighborhoods where it would be too expensive to add can have a HearthCAT catalytic converter device installed in the chimney to reduce particulates.

To participate in the program, visit cleanairmakemore.com and complete the wood-burning survey. Based on the survey score, residents will be instructed to consult with a contractor to get an estimate on the cost of conversion.

“Typically, we’ll pay up to $2,000 for the retrofit conversion,” said Larz Garcia, Maricopa County Grant Programs Administrator. “If you get an estimate back and it’s more, we ask the customer to pay the additional cost. If they don’t have the (additional cost), we’ll offer them the HearthCAT that we’ll install for free.”

The device can scrub up to 70 percent of small particulate matter that would otherwise escape into the air, Garcia said. To be eligible, homeowners must live in the area between Northern Avenue, Baseline Road, 16th Street and 59th Avenue.

According to the USA Today, fireplace and fire pit use is especially high during the holiday season, which is why the county air quality department holds the annual campaign in December.

Converting wood-burning devices to gas-powered ones reduces levels of tiny particulate matter from the soot in wood smoke. That particulate matter, along with pollution from dust, vehicle exhaust and other sources, contributes to the often poor air quality in the Phoenix valley, particularly in the winter months.

Additionally, the Maricopa County Air Quality Department declares no-burn days during the winter months to reduce pollution from burning wood that can pose a serious health threat to children, elderly people and those with asthma and other respiratory issues.

The USA Today report noted that small particulates in smoke and soot are known as PM 2.5 (particulates 2.5 microns or less). They can be absorbed into the blood stream and reduce lung function, aggravate respiratory issues and even increase the chances for heart attacks and premature death.

To find out if a no-burn day has been declared you can visit cleanairmakemore.com, download the Clean Air Make More app or call 602-506-6400.