Background
Since 2007, the AEA has collaborated with partners in 13 communities across the NWT on community wood stove projects. The projects allow new, efficient wood stoves to be installed in residents’ homes.
In the 2018/19 fiscal year, the AEA worked with partners in the communities of Behchokò ̨, Délınę, Gamètì, Wekweètì and Whatì to get 56 new stoves installed.
Heating with biomass—wood stoves in particular— continues to be a viable, economic and traditional alternative to heating with fossil fuels in NWT homes.
For each project, the AEA secures 50 percent of the necessary funding and collaborates with the community partner, who also contributes 50 percent of the funding. Both partners work together to complete the project.
The broad goals of the project are to:
- increase wood burning safety by supporting code- compliant installations
- reduce particulate emissions in smoke
- increase local capacity (e.g. wood harvesting and seasonal local employment)
- increase wood burning efficiency by installing EPA- certified wood stoves
Other benefits include decreasing fossil fuel use, decreasing greenhouse gas emissions, and helping residents save on heating bills.
The AEA has collaborated with community partners in most of the NWT’s regions and supported code-compliant wood stove installer training in each region of the NWT under Wood Energy Technology Transfer Inc. (WETT).
Wood Stove Model Comparison
| Stove Model | Efficiency | Particulate Emissions |
| Old stoves | 60% | 32.7 g/hr |
| New non-catalytic stoves | 75% | 3.4 g/hr |
| New catalytic stoves | 81% | 2.4 g/hr |
The above data is estimated. Non-catalytic stove model used is the Pacific Energy Super 27, installed in homes in Behchokò ̨, Gamètì, Wekweètì and Whatì. Catalytic stove model used is the Blaze King Princess, installed in homes in Délıne.
Estimated Annual Savings
Switching From an Old Stove to a New Stove
By switching, the 50 homes that replaced their old wood stoves with new models are expected to save the following each year, combined:
33 cords of wood
2,300 kg of particulate emissions (an 89% reduction)
Adding a New Wood Stove
The six homes that added a new stove to supplement their existing heating systems are expected to save the following annually:
11,000 litres of heating oil
$16,000 in heating oil costs
29 tonnes of greenhouse gases
Using a Wood Stove Instead of Heating Oil
By using new, efficient wood stoves instead of relying solely on heating oil, all 56 recipients are estimated to save
the following each year:
110,000 litres of heating oil
$150,000 in heating oil costs
440 tonnes of greenhouse gases
“We are really happy to receive the wood stove. We love the stove and the joy and warmth it brings into the house.”
—Phillip Dryneck
Phillip and Elizabeth Dryneck are both in their 80s. Elders that live on a pension sometimes can’t afford to buy a new wood stove. Community wood stove projects give back to Elders by providing safe, efficient stoves at no cost.
“The units give off a lot of heat and burn long. You just have to watch what kind of wood you put in it.”
—Morris Neyelle
Morris and Bernice Neyelle have a Blaze King catalytic wood stove in their home. Morris said he likes it better than the old one they had. They’re enjoying the wood stove and it works very well.
In the 1960s, catalytic wood stoves were not available and people had to make their own from barrels. Morris’ dad would make stoves for their tent and house.
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