WHO

Residents in Monterey, Santa Cruz and San Benito Counties – and the Monterey Bay Air Resources District.

WHAT

A 2019 rebate program funded by the State of California (the Wood Smoke Reduction Program) designed to encourage homeowners to change their polluting wood burning fireplaces to EPA certified wood burning fireplaces or alternative fuel (gas, propane, pellet or electric). Often called “Wood Stove Change-Out Programs” by local air districts – and applies to freestanding wood stoves, wood inserts and open-hearth wood burning fireplaces.

WHEN

Expected to begin in late July, 2019 – end date to be determined.

WHERE

Monterey, Santa Cruz and San Benito Counties

WHY

To improve air quality by removing older, polluting wood burning fireplaces, inserts and stoves.

The Program

Residents in Monterey, Santa Cruz and San Benito Counties can save money while improving the air quality in their homes and neighborhoods by changing out old wood burning devices with cleaner alternatives. The Monterey Bay Air Resources District through California Climate Investments is offering incentives between $1,000 to $3,500 to replace an old wood stove or fireplace insert with a cleaner burning device. The non-EPA certified wood stove or wood insert must be replaced with a low emissions EPA certified wood, natural gas, propane, or electric stove or fireplace insert. Open hearth fireplaces also qualify for the program. The incentive amount will depend on what type of replacement stove is selected and the applicant’s household income. To be eligible for the program, a homeowner or renter must use an uncertified wood stove or wood insert as a primary source of heat.

Applicants must receive program authorization prior to purchasing a device.

Old wood stoves must not be removed by applicant!

Discounts are available through participating local dealers. The incentives will be distributed to qualifying applicants on a first-come, first-served basis until the funds are depleted. Applicants who have been income qualified by Central Coast Energy Services under the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program will be eligible for the highest incentive amounts.

The Wood Stove Change-Out program is part of a California Climate Investments’ statewide Woodsmoke Reduction Program which puts Cap-and-Trade dollars to work reducing greenhouse gas emissions, strengthening the economy, and improving public health and the environment—particularly in disadvantaged communities. A total of $250,000 has been set aside for the program.

Program Elements:

• Available to residents in Monterey, San Benito and Santa Cruz Counties. Renters or property managers should coordinate change-outs with the property owner.
• An incentive of $1,000 to replace an operational, uncertified wood stove, fireplace insert, or open fireplace with an eligible wood burning device
• An incentive of $1,500 to replace an operational, uncertified wood stove, fireplace insert, or open fireplace with a cleaner burning natural gas, propane, or electric device
• Income qualified applicants can receive an additional discount of $2,000.
• The discounts are available through these participating hearth products dealers.
• Vouchers for the discounts will be processed on a first come, first served basis until all funds are depleted.

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FOR MORE INFORMATION

Visit the Monterey Bay Air Resources District website at:

https://www.mbard.org/wood-stove-change-out-program

If you have questions about the program or to verify eligibility, call (831) 647-9411 or email: woodstove@mbard.org

 

For general information visit the State of California Air Resources Board at:

https://ww3.arb.ca.gov/planning/sip/woodsmoke/reduction_program.htm

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EMAIL UPDATES from Monterey Bay Fireplace

Monterey Bay Fireplace may become a participating dealer for the 2019 program. If you would like us to update you when we are enrolled, you may enter your information below:

[contact-form-7 id=”2173″ title=”Wood Rebate”]