Western Massachusetts Changeout Program

Description: This project used rebate vouchers to replace uncertified wood stoves with cleaner,
EPA-certified wood, pellet, or gas units. Priority was given to older woodstoves used as primary
heating sources. One million dollars of SEP funding from Berkshire Power Company and Power
Plant Management Services was used to replace a total of 404 stoves.

Title

Western Massachusetts Changeout Program

Location

(City, Counties, Region)

Western MA Counties: Berkshire, Franklin, Flampshire, Flampden

Population/Number of
homes covered by project

•	Population: 822,326 (2019)

•	Housing Units: 361,692 (2019)

Objectives
(NAAQS

attainment/maintenance,
indoor air, visibility, air toxics,
public education)

•	Reduce fine particles (PM2.5) from wintertime woodsmoke.

•	Remain in attainment with daily PM2.5 National Air Quality Standards
(NAAQS).

•	Improve indoor air quality.

•	Provide rebates to replace non-EPA certified wood stoves and
hydronic heaters with cleaner, more efficient EPA-certified wood
heaters.

•	Educate the public on cleaner wood heaters and incentives available
for purchasing new heaters.

Milestones

(Project time frame, number of
changeouts, air quality goals,
number of low-income homes
targeted if applicable)

•	Changeout program launched August 2017.

•	Total: 404 stoves replaced: 181 wood, 166 pellet, 56 gas, 1 catalyst

Budget

(projected/actual cost)

• $1,000,000

Funding Sources
(Government funds, grants,
Supplemental Environmental
Project, fees, etc.)

•	Joint MassDEP and EPA investigation led to EPA Lawsuit and
settlement.

•	$750,000 in SEP funds from Berkshire Power Company.

•	$250,000 in SEP funds from Power Plant Management Services.

Partners

(Government/private
organizations involved)

•	EPA Region 1

•	Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP):
https://www.mass.Rov/orRs/massachusetts-department-of-
environ mental-protection

•	American Lung Association of the Northeast (ALANE) (program
administration): https://www.lunR.orR/

•	Woodstove dealers

Incentives Offered (Rebates,
discounts, vouchers, incentives
for low-income homes, etc.)

•	Available vouchers range from $300-$5000.

•	$3000 vouchers available for low-income qualified residents in eligible
counties.

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Title

Western Massachusetts Changeout Program

Ordinances/Regulations
(Mandates for cleaner-burning
hearth devices)

•	MassDEP regulates sale, installation, and operation of hydronic
heaters (outdoor wood boilers). Hydronic heaters may be sold in
Massachusetts that meet EPA emissions standards and whose
manufacturers have filed compliance certifications. The state
regulation for new units includes requirements for setback distances
from property lines and neighbors' dwellings, and smokestack height.
See: https://www.mass.Rov/service-details/massachusetts-certified-
outdoor-hvdronic-heaters

•	State municipalities have authority to enact ordinances that prohibit
or limit the use of hydronic heaters.

Project Yardstick
(Number of woodsheds
constructed, number of stoves
replaced with new stoves or
other technology, etc.)

• Total: 404 stoves replaced: 181 wood, 166 pellet, 56 gas, 1 catalyst

Outreach/Marketing
(Radio/TV public service
announcements, workshops,
woodstoves expo, flyers,
mailouts, social media)

•	Press release from MA Department of Justice. See:
https://www.iustice.gov/usao-ma/pr/western-massachusetts-power-
plant-owner-and-manaRement-companies-aRree-plead-tamperinR

•	Announcements in local news and online. See:
https://www.masslive.com/news/2016/03/berkshire power

to pav 85 mill.html

•	Promotional material provided by woodstove retailers. See:
https://thefireplacema.com/n/46/American-Lung-Association-website-

for-their-Wood-Stove-ChanRe-Out-ProRram-for-Western-Mass;

https://thefireplacema.com/n/45/MassCEC-Wood-Stove-ChanRe-Out-

ProRram-for-Western-Mass

Air Quality Data/Other
Results

(Air-quality status of project
area. Is improving indoor air
quality part of project?)

•	Upon request from ALANE, EPA used GIS application (Valley Id Tool) to
map changeout locations. See:

https://www.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=
646ebe715800410d9e5c02aa3653546d

•	Difficult to quantify air-quality trends due to changeouts. However, in
general, EPA-certified hydronic heaters emit 70-90% less PM2.5 than
older units.

Lessons Learned
(What worked? What didn't?
Tips? How can project be
improved?)

•	Partnerships between local government and the private sector are
key.

•	Important to maintain partnerships and agreements with specific
dealers in response to requests from citizens.

•	Educational outreach on proper wood-burning practices is essential.

•	Consider seeking other funding opportunities in order to extend and
expand program.

Project Contact
(Name, organization, phone
number, email address, web
link to project)

•	Mass DEP Mark Cohen (marc.cohen(a)mass.Rov)

•	EPA ReRion 1 Dianne Chabot (Chabot.Dianne(5)epa.Rov)

•	https://www.mass.Rov/Ruides/heatinR-vour-home-with-a-wood-
burninR-appliance

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