Tax Credits for Efficient Wood-burning and Pellet Stoves

Posted on November 14, 2009 by Joyce Benson Add a Comment |
Tag(s): Energy, Greening the Home

stoves

Not only will adding a new, clean-burning wood or pellet stove keep your home warm and toasty this winter, but efficient models will qualify for a federal tax credit of up to $1500! A new stove can provide your home’s primary source of heat, or simply supplement it, and of course it’ll add ambiance to any living space. Here, we’ll explore the benefits of both types.

Wood stoves

With improved combustion technologies, today’s wood-burning stoves produce little smoke and ash, and even require less wood. The EPA certifies stoves that produce low emissions (7.5 grams of smoke per hour (g/h) for non-catalytic stoves, and 4.1 g/h for catalytic stoves, or lower). Certified stoves are 50% more energy efficient than non-certified models.
Be sure to burn only dry, seasoned wood for a safe, efficient and cleaner-burning fire.
These are ideal for those who have access to free wood from their own land. And chopping wood is great exercise too!

Pellet Stoves

Pellet stoves burn pellets made from ground and dried plant waste material (biomass materials) which are compressed into pellets. Pellet stoves produce very little pollution and do not require EPA certification.
Pellet stoves do typically need electricity to operate (unlike wood stoves and fireplaces).

To take advantage of the federal tax credit of up to 30% of the cost and installation of efficient wood-burning and pellet stoves for existing homes, purchase and install your new stove between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2010. File Tax Form 5695 with your tax return. Be sure to keep a copy of the Manufacturer’s Certification Statement with your records as well.