Trade Out Old Woodstove With Help from Massachusetts Program
BENNINGTON, Vt. — Time is running out for Massachusetts residents to take advantage of a rebate program that will save them money on heating costs and help protect the environment, too.
The Commonwealth Woodstove Change-Out program, a partnership between MassCEC, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection and the Department of Energy Resources, offers rebates to assist Massachusetts residents in replacing non-EPA-certified wood stoves with cleaner, more efficient EPA-certified wood or pellet stoves.
Homeowners are eligible for a standard rebate if their old woodstove is currently operational, non-EPA certified, and located in a residential building AND the stove they plan to purchase is EPA-certified and meets Commonwealth Woodstove Change-Out Program emissions requirements for new stoves.
Homeowners are eligible for a low-income rebate if they meet all requirements for the standard rebate and their annual household income falls below 80 percent of the Massachusetts state median income.
But homeowners must have the stove installed by August 22, 2016, to qualify, said Dick Wood, owner of Bennington Pool & Hearth in Bennington, Vt., and Friends of the Sun in Manchester, Vt., both of which participate in the program.
Massachusetts began the program in 2012; in 2016, the state committed $700,000 in funding to the program. Standard rebates can be up to $1,500 depending on the stove model, or the low-income rebate can be up to $2,500 depending on the stove model.
"There have been various programs by states trying to clean up the air," he said. "Alternative energy sources are all the rage. And there's no carbon footprint with wood."
In addition, the federal government is offering a 10 percent tax rebate, up to a max of $300, on the 2016 tax return.
Wood said that by replacing an old non-EPA certified wood stove with a high efficiency, low emissions wood or pellet stove, homeowners can improve air quality. The new stoves are up to 50 percent more efficient then older models, and decrease pollution by 70 percent. EPA-certified stoves on average require one-third of the amount of renewable wood sources to produce the same amount of heat as older models.
"These new stoves will reduce emissions, heat more effectively and will improve the health and comfort for homes across the commonwealth," DOER Acting Commissioner Dan Burgess said.
And, of course, homeowners can reduce their heating bills.
"The savings under this program are huge," Wood said. "For example, if you wanted to purchase a Jotul f45 wood stove, and you qualify for the standard rebate, the regular price is $2,149, and with the $1,000 rebate, you end up paying $1,149 for the stove. If you want to switch from burning wood to pellets the savings is even greater. If you qualify for the rebate, and you purchase a Quadra-Fire Santa Fe pellet stove at $2,299, subtract the rebate of $1,500, you will end up paying $799, plus tax and installation."
Wood said Massachusetts homeowners who want to take advantage of the program can come into either of his locations – Bennington Pool & Hearth at 126 Hicks Avenue in Bennington and Friends of the Sun159 Depot Street. in Manchester - by mid-July at the latest and his staff will assist in determining eligibility, filling out the application, choosing the right replacement stove and arranging for installation. Wood emphasized that installation should be done by a licensed professional and in accordance with any local regulations, as many cities and towns require permits.
Any of the friendly staff can assist in the Woodstove Change-Out program, such as Nate or Marty at Friends of the Sun or Charlie and Corey at Bennington Pool & Hearth.
"If you look at the list of stoves that qualify, we sell most of them here, Jotul, Hearthstone, Quadra-Fire, Enviro and more," Wood said from the office above the Bennington location, where the business moved after leaving the Walmart plaza in 2010. The business itself has been in operation for nearly 30 years.
With the program entering its final stages, Wood said there's no reason for homeowners not to take advantage of it.
"It saves money, number one. And you're going to get yourself a more efficient, better unit out of it," he said.
