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1,500 Tax Credit for U.S. Homeowners who Purchase a
Qualifying Wood or Pellet Stove, Fireplace or Fireplace Insert
Under the 2009 Economic Stimulus legislation, U.S. homeowners who purchase a 75-percent efficient biomass (wood or pellet) burning stove, fireplace or fireplace insert and place it into service in their home during 2009 or 2010 can receive a 30-percent tax credit for costs incurred, up to $1,500.
The guidelines verify that more than 30 Quadra-Fire and Harman Home Heating products qualify
including EPA-certified wood stoves, fireplaces and inserts, as well as pellet stoves, fireplaces, inserts,
furnaces and boilers. Quadra-Fire and Harman are brands of Hearth & Home Technologies, based in
Lakeville, Minnesota.
After purchase, the homeowner can obtain an Official Manufacturer’s Certificate from either
AES Hearthplace Stoveshop. It certifies that the product qualifies for the tax
credit, and the homeowner can rely on the certificate when preparing his or her tax return.
Homeowners are not required to submit the certificate or a product sales receipt to the government, but
should retain them for their records.
The benefits of heating with biomass
There are multiple benefits to installing a wood or pellet burning appliance to produce heat in your
home. Financial benefits are derived for years to come with reduced heating costs. And prices for
wood and pellets are predictable when compared to propane, oil and natural gas, which can fluctuate
greatly. “There are significant environmental benefits derived from heating your home with biomass,”
said Dan Henry, chief technical officer for Hearth & Home Technologies. “Burning wood and pellets
is considered carbon-neutral since only the carbon the tree or plant absorbed when growing is released
into the air, contributing to less greenhouse gases.” In addition, burning biomass in a Quadra-Fire or
Harman EPA-certified clean-burning appliance eliminates approximately 75-percent of carbon
emissions associated with fossil fuel heating.
About EPA-certified wood burning fireplaces, stoves and inserts
Technological advancements have made today’s wood stoves, fireplaces and inserts considerably more
efficient than dated models. Quadra-Fire and Harman EPA-certified wood burning units are up to 85-
percent efficient, producing more heat with less wood to provide warmth and comfort for many hours.
They are clean-burning with less ash and minimal outside air emissions. Complete combustion is
achieved through high temperatures, ample oxygen and sufficient burning of gases before they are
exhausted. It can also eliminate the accumulation of creosote, a flammable chimney residue. They are
perfect for homeowners who want to live green and also enjoy the crackling sounds and flickering
flames of burning wood.
Quadra-Fire and Harman EPA-certified wood burning fireplaces, stoves and inserts:
• Burn wood fuel, which is renewable and considered carbon-neutral
• Produce low outside air particulate emissions
• Are the cleanest burning, most efficient wood appliances available today
• Qualify within green construction building programs, such as LEED® for Homes
About pellet burning fireplaces, stoves and inserts
Pellet appliances have high combustion levels and great heating efficiencies. They are easy to operate
with built-in fuel hoppers and feeding devices that move pellets in small groups to the combustion
chamber. The various Quadra-Fire and Harman models have control panels or wall-mounted
thermostats to control heat and minimize fuel consumption.
Quadra-Fire and Harman pellet burning fireplaces
• Burn cleaner than any other type of biomass hearth system
• Have the lowest outside air particulate emissions
• Are the most efficient biomass hearth systems
• Utilize renewable biomass fuel, which is considered carbon-neutral
• Qualify within green construction building programs, such as LEED® for Homes
Pellets burn cleaner than virtually any other biomass fuel and produce low particulate matter, helping
to reduce air pollution. They are made from compacted sawdust, wood chips, bark, agricultural crop
waste, waste paper and other organic materials. Burning pellets is a constructive way to reuse material
that may otherwise go to a landfill. Wood pellets are typically purchased in 40-pound bags for between
$5 and $7, providing up to 24 hours of steady heat.
Controlling energy costs and reducing fossil fuel consumption
Increasing concerns about controlling heating costs and living green have many homeowners turning
to renewable fuels for supplemental or whole home heating. For the same reasons, the U.S.
government is supporting and promoting the use of biomass appliances for heat. For more information
about the tax credit, visit www.irs.gov
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