Massachusetts Residents Can Participate in Woodstove Change-out Program Again
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The state of Massachusetts has announced the Woodstove Change-out program for 2017. This program will save Massachusetts residents 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 wood stove 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 their annual household income falls below 80 percent of the Massachusetts state median income. More stringent stove emissions thresholds have been established for future years.
"Homeowners must have the stove installed by August 21, 2017, to qualify," said Todd Wood, owner of Bennington Pool & Hearth in Bennington, Vt., and Friends of the Sun in Manchester, Vt., both of which are exclusive participants of the program.
Massachusetts began the program in 2012; in 2017 the state committed funding to the program. Standard rebates can be up to $1,750 depending on the stove model; the low income rebate can be up to $3,000 depending on the stove model.
Wood said that by replacing an old non-EPA certified wood stove with a high efficiency low emission wood or pellet stove, homeowners can improve air quality. There have been various programs by the state trying to clean up the air. Alternative energy sources are all the rage, and there's no carbon footprint with wood.
The new stoves are up to 50 percent more efficient then older models, and decrease pollution by 70 percent. An EPA-certified stove on average requires 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 health and comfort for homes across the commonwealth," DOER Commissioner Dan Burgess said.
Wood said the savings under the program are huge.
"For example, if you want to purchase a Jotul F45 wood stove, and you qualify for the standard rebate, the regular price is $1899, and with the $1,250 rebate, you end up paying only $649 for the stove," he said. "If you qualify for the rebate and you purchase a Heatilator Eco-Choice PS50 pellet stove at $1,899 subtract the rebate of $1,250, and $50 manufacturer coupon, and you will end up paying only $599, plus tax and installation.
"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 Massachusetts homeowners who want to take advantage of the program can come into either of the locations – Bennington Pool & Hearth at 126 Hicks Ave. in Bennington or Friends of the Sun at 159 Depot Street in Manchester. His staff is ready to assist customers 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.
