Commonwealth Woodstove Change-Out Pilot Program

The Commonwealth Woodstove Change-Out Pilot Program II assists eligible Massachusetts residents with the cost of replacing coal stoves and non-EPA-certified woodstoves or fireplace inserts, with high efficiency, low emissions woodstoves or fireplace inserts, or wood-pellet stoves or fireplace inserts.

Retailers and Voucher Holders: The deadline for completing change-outs, and for retailers to submit requests for payment has been extended to May 22, 2013. If you are unable to complete your change-out, and submit a request for payment by this date, please email biomassthermal@masscec.com to request an extension. If you have not submitted a request for payment, or coordinated an extension for you voucher with us by May 22, we will consider your voucher to be unused, and will terminate your voucher.

Retailers - To claim vouchers from your customers, register an account at apply.masscec.com. Rebates provided to participating retailers correspond with customer voucher values. The retailer will receive a rebate for the lesser value of the project cost, or the voucher submitted to MassCEC at project completion, provided that all program requirements are satisfied.

Stove replacement is at the discretion of the stove retailer. The retailer may deem the stove to be ineligible for a rebate, even if the voucher has already been issued.

MassCEC and The Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) have dedicated an additional $303,205 to the second round of the Commonwealth Woodstove Change-Out Pilot Program which is to be expended on a first-come, first-served basis until funds are exhausted. Of the $303,205 available for this round of the Program, approximately $202,000 will be dedicated to low-income vouchers ($2,000), and approximately $101,000 will be dedicated to the standard vouchers ($1,000). Standard vouchers and low-income vouchers will become available on January 18, 2013. The Commonwealth Woodstove Change-Out Pilot Program is open to all eligible Massachusetts residents beginning on January 18, and lasting until funding is exhausted. Voucher applicants - Do not purchase your new stove before you are approved for a voucher. Vouchers redeemed at retail locations after purchasing a stove will not be honored.

EPA-certified stoves are identified by a permanent label on the back of the stove. Stoves without this label are not EPA-certified. See below for EPA certification tag diagram.

Replacement stoves or inserts must meet the following technical requirements:

a. Catalytic Converter 2.5 g/hr PM or

b. Non Catalytic Converter: 4.5 g/hr PM and

c. Minimum 70% efficiency

(g/hr is grams per hour of Particular Matter 2.5 Micrometers in diameter and smaller)

Eligibility - The Program will provide vouchers to eligible applicants through a first-come, first-served application process for the replacement of frequently used coal- and non-EPA-certified wood-burning stoves for high efficiency, low emissions wood- or wood-pellet-burning stoves or fireplace inserts. Additional eligibility requirements include:

• The project site must not have received a Commonwealth Woodstove Change-Out Pilot Program voucher in the past;
• The property owner must be replacing a stove located indoors, and serving a year-round residence for the purpose of space and or water heating; and
• The occupant of the project site must contribute to MassCEC’s Renewable Energy Trust Fund. This includes all electric customers served by National Grid, NSTAR, Unitil (Fitchburg Gas and Electric), WMECO or a participating Municipal Lighting Plant community (Ashburnham, Holden, Holyoke, Russell, Templeton).  If the project site is not located at the property owner’s primary residence, the project site where the stove is being installed must fulfill the foregoing eligibility requirement. The property owner will need to provide MassCEC with a copy of an electric bill for the project site at the time of application so that MassCEC can verify eligibility. The program voucher can be combined with any other local, state, or federal incentive.

Low-Income Voucher Requirements - If the property owner is applying for a low-income voucher for themselves or on behalf of a low-income host customer, they will be required to upload proof of property owner participation in one of the following programs:

• Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (Fuel Assistance) - Provide a copy of Application Approval Notice from your fuel assistance office for the 2012-2013 Heating Season (Preferred Method) - name on Application Approval Notice must match name of property owner or host customer if property owner is applying on behalf of the host customer.
• MassHealth - Provide a copy of Letter of Acceptance, or any document proving you are currently receiving MassHealth Benefits dated within the past twelve (12) months - name on letter must match name of property owner or host customer if property owner is applying on behalf of the host customer. You may request supporting documents from MassHealth by calling 800-841-2900.
• Social Security Disability Income - Provide a copy of Approval Letter from when property owner or host customer was accepted. Name on Approval Letter must match name of property owner or host customer if property owner is applying on behalf of the host customer.
• Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) - Provide a copy of Confirmation Letter of Participation dated within past twelve (12) months - name on letter must match name of property owner or host customer if property owner is applying on behalf of the host customer. You may request a Confirmation Letter of Participation from their local WIC office. Find your local WIC office contact information at:
• http://www.mass.gov/eohhs/consumer/basic-needs/food/wic/participants/offices/local-wic-offices.html.

Retailer Project Completion Documentation - Retailers must attach the three following items to their rebate application, which must be submitted by April 15, 2013 at apply.masscec.com. For instructions on submitting rebate applications, download the Online Application Instructions (Retailer) below.

• Building permit signed by the building inspector
• Picture of the non-EPA-certified stove before removal
• Picture of the qualified equipment installed
• Project Invoice

Program Documents - Round I

For detailed information about the program, read the program manual.

The program will accept the replacement of pellet stoves that are not on the EPA certified woodstove list.

• Program Manual
• W-9 Form and Instructions
• Appendix C - Project Completion Affidavit
• Online Application Instructions (Property Owner)
• Online Application Instructions (Retailer)

Program Documents - Round 2

• Program Manual
• W9 Form and Instructions
• Low Income and Standard Voucher Application
• Property Owner applying on behalf of Low Income Customer Application

Questions? Email us at biomassthermal@masscec.com.