For Immediate Release
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Contact: David Nyberg, (517) 346-6462

It’s hot! Great Michigan Woodstove Change-out Campaign provides money and energy savings for state’s woodstove users, cleaner air for Michigan

Rebate incentive can save up to $600 on cost of new woodstove, and advocates clean, safe, and efficient home heating technology using renewable resources.

LANSING, MICH — Michigan woodstove users should take advantage of a special discount program to upgrade their old woodstoves to more efficient, clean, and safe home heating appliance. The Great Michigan Woodstove Change-out Campaign was announced today by the Michigan United Conservation Clubs.

The Change-out, a partnership between MUCC, Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), U.S. Department of Environmental Quality (EPA), and the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association (HPBA) provides up to $600 in rebates and discounts toward replacement of a conventional wood-burning stove with a modern efficient, wood, pellet, corn, gas, or electric stove or fireplace insert certified by the EPA.

“Efficient stoves burn much less fuel, meaning they burn a much smaller hole in a homeowner’s pocket,” said MUCC Executive Director Dennis Muchmore. “By upgrading to a modern-efficiency stove, Michigan residents are also contributing to Michigan’s green economy by heating their homes with cleaner energy sources — most of them produced by Michigan’s own thriving forest products and agriculture industries.”

“This is an ideal opportunity to lessen the cost of purchasing a modern home heating appliance, so we encourage Michigan residents take advantage of the rebate and additional discounts offered by participating retailers.”

Made possible by a MDEQ – EPA grant, the Change-out will also promote the cost, safety, and environmental benefits of making the transition to modern, EPA-certified home heating stoves. As a major incentive to consumers, MUCC will issue a $290 rebate to the first 500 qualified customers. Additional discounts are offered by stove manufacturers and participating retailers as part of the Change-out Campaign. The Change-out will run from May 8 until July 31, 2008.

The HPBA has also facilitated similar woodstove change-outs in other states but appreciates the opportunity to partner with MUCC and DEQ to showcase advanced hearth appliance technologies to Michigan consumers.

"If you haven't seen new hearth products lately, you'll be amazed at how much better the designs, materials and operations of today’s appliances are compared to those of twenty years ago," said Robert Huta, President of the MidStates Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association, a regional affiliate of the HPBA. "You can now get such high efficiency ratings using multiple fuels. The Change-out is a great time to learn about these new products, and make the change."

To promote environmental benefits of cleaner air through woodstove change-outs, MUCC procured a DEQ grant made possible from federal funds part of the department’s Pollution Prevention program.

“The MDEQ is excited to assist the people of Michigan install these clean and efficient stoves in their homes,” said MDEQ Director Steven E. Chester. “Through the campaign, we also will promote the collective benefits of cleaner air, energy efficiency, and renewable resource use.”

To be eligible for a rebate, participants must agree to replace their old wood burning stove or fireplace insert with an EPA-approved stove or insert of their choice from a participating retailer. Additionally, the ”change-out” must be performed by a certified installer, and the old stove rendered inoperable.

Michigan residents interested in changing-out their old stove through the Change-out will find more information on participating retailers, stove brands, and rebate forms at www.mucc.org.

Download press kit with images and additional information

###

MUCC is the largest statewide conservation organization in the nation, with nearly 100,000 members and more than 500 affiliated clubs. For over sixty years, MUCC has worked to accomplish our mission of Uniting Citizens to Conserve Michigan's Natural Resources and Protect OUR Outdoor Heritage. MUCC works to conserve Michigan's wildlife, fisheries, waters, forests, air, and soils by providing information, education and advocacy.