Prevalent degradation and patterns of use, maintenance, repair, and access to post-acquisition services for biomass stoves in Peru

This paper presents an assessment of post-acquisition service for “improved” cookstoves (e.g., user maintenance training, replacement parts, and repair services) in four regions of Peru. Household surveys assessed current stove use behavior, maintenance practices, stove damage, access to after-sales services, and user preferences towards after-sales intervention strategies (n = 699). Stove use and performance was evaluated in a subsample of households through kitchen performance tests (n = 122) and direct stove use monitoring (n = 58). Participants reported having had their improved cookstove for an average of 5 years. Measured and reported improved stove use was high across all households, including widespread displacement of traditional stoves. Nearly all interviewees recognized that stove performance and stove lifetimes were enhanced through regular stove maintenance. Although more than half of participants reported that no post-acquisition services were offered, two-thirds of those that were offered services utilized them and nearly all found the services either somewhat or very useful. The majority of participants with an improved stove reported damage, primarily to the combustion chamber and chimney. However, results from kitchen performance tests showed no difference in stove performance between stoves with and without damage to the combustion chamber or chimney. Overall, survey results suggest high demand for improved access to post-acquisition services.