Massachusetts announces funding for woodstove rebate program

The Massachusetts government has announced $450,000 in funding for the 2018 Commonwealth Woodstove Change-out Program, which provides rebates to homeowners two replace older, inefficient woodstoves with cleaner, EPA-certified wood and pellet stoves that use less fuel and reduce energy costs.

The Commonwealth Woodstove Change-out Program was launched in 2012 and is administered by the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center, with assistance from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection and Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources. Funding for this year’s program comes from DOER’s Alternative Compliance Payments and MassCEC’s Renewable Energy Trust.

To date, the program has helped more than 2,000 Massachusetts residents swap out dirty, inefficient stoves or newer, cleaner models.

Standard rebates range from $1,000 to $1,750, depending on the emission levels and type of stove purchased. The program also offers residents who meet certain income requirements rebates of up to an additional $1,500.

Information released by the MassachusettsCEC indicates that most program participants purchase new wood stoves. More than 30 percent, however, opted to install pellet stoves last year.

In 2017, MassCEC introduced an efficiency adder for newly installed stoves that achieve high efficiency ratings. The organization said the efficiency incentive was extremely effective in promoting best-in-class technologies. Nearly half of all new wood stove installations last year achieved a high efficiency rating, up from only 22 percent in 2016.

 “The Woodstove Change-Out Program helps Massachusetts residents implement clean, cost-effective heating technologies that decrease smoke pollution and improve air quality in their homes,” said Gov. Charlie Baker. “The rebates offered through the program incentivize households across the Commonwealth to adopt more efficient technologies, saving homeowners more money each year.”

“By helping Massachusetts residents replace older, polluting woodstoves with more efficient models, we’re increasing access to cost-effective technologies for homeowners across the Commonwealth while continuing our work to combat climate change,” said Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito. “Emissions from old, inefficient woodstoves are detrimental to air quality and public health, so these rebates help make Massachusetts cleaner and healthier for all residents.”

To qualify for a rebate, a Massachusetts resident must have an operational, non-EPA-certified woodstove. Participating retailers and stove professionals will handle the rebate process on the resident’s behalf. Rebate applications will be accepted through Aug. 28. Additional information on the program is available on the MassCEC website.