Air Pollution Reduction Programs in Maricopa County
Fireplace Retrofit Program
A wood burning fireplace or chiminea may be cozy during winter, but the smoke billowing into the air can hurt children with asthma, people with respiratory problems and the elderly.
Maricopa County Air Quality Department (MCAQD) is offering free residential fireplace retrofits to reduce Phoenix air pollution.
The Maricopa County Fireplace Retrofit Program (MCFRP) is a program designed to reduce air pollution from wood burning fireplaces and provide residents cleaner air to breathe. The program offers two options: 1) The program will, at no charge to the homeowner, retrofit a wood burning fireplace with an air pollution reduction device; or 2) If a home is already plumbed for natural gas, the program will provide a voucher for up to $2,000 to cover the cost of the installation of a natural gas log set.
Homeowners who have wood burning fireplaces and who live within the boundaries of Baseline Road to Northern Avenue and 59th Avenue to 16th Street are eligible to participate. These boundaries were chosen for the program because three air quality monitors in this area have shown the highest levels of PM2.5 concentrations in Maricopa County during the wood burning season.
Approximately 340 homes have already been retrofitted.
For more information go to Maricopa County Fireplace Retrofit Program
Propane Fire Pit Program
In an effort to improve air quality and reduce air pollution caused by outdoor wood burning in fire pits, the MCAQD created the Propane Fire Pit Program. This program, which is available to all residents of Maricopa County, launched in 2017 and provides vouchers for discounts towards the purchase of new propane fire pits.
The Propane Fire Pit Program encourages the use of cleaner burning propane devices rather than wood burning devices, to aid in the reduction air pollution during the wood burning season.
In 2017, 1,000 vouchers were processed. The program is currently sold out; however, it is scheduled to re-open in fall 2018. The department plans to issue vouchers for Maricopa County residents beginning in October 2018.
To participate in the program, go to Maricopa County Propane Fire Pit Program
Lawn Mower Program
The MCAQD, in partnership with the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality, recently created the Mowing Down Pollution Program. This lawn mower replacement program will be available to residents of Maricopa County beginning June 1, 2018. The program will provide $150 vouchers towards the purchase of a new electric or battery powered lawn mower when a gasoline powered lawn mower is recycled.
The program will encourage the use of clean electric or battery powered lawn mowers rather than gasoline powered lawn mowers to aid in the reduction of air pollution year round.
