Vermont Outdoor Wood Boiler Change-out Program

The Air Pollution Control Division (APCD) of the State of Vermont is pleased to offer a voluntary OWB Change-Out Program that provides financial incentives to encourage people to replace their old OWBs with cleaner, more efficient heating systems as approved by the APCD. Eligible replacement heating systems may include Vermont Phase II certified OWBs (including pellet boilers), propane or natural gas furnaces or boilers, indoor wood or pellet boilers as approved by the APCD, or sustainable heating systems, such as geothermal heat pumps, as approved by the APCD.

Most OWBs sold in Vermont before March 31, 2008 create significant amounts of smoke and many have caused problems for neighbors. In contrast, OWBs sold for use in Vermont today emit 70-90 percent less pollution. Cleaner air means fewer cases of asthma and other health problems caused by the particles and gases in wood smoke.  In addition, replacing your old OWB with a new OWB may ultimately save you money by burning less wood for more heat. There are also a variety of alternate heating units available that are efficient and even cleaner than new OWBs. Finally, many older OWBs are required by law to be permanently retired on or before December 31, 2012. For all these reasons, the APCD is pleased to offer financial incentives to help pay for the costs of installing cleaner heating sources and is providing enhanced financial incentives for those OWBs that must be retired by December 31, 2012.

If you own an operational OWB that is installed in Vermont and does not appear on the list of "Vermont-certified Phase I and Phase II OWB Models " you may be eligible to receive financial incentives to replace your OWB with a cleaner heating source.

The APCD will issue rebate vouchers for up to:

• $6,000 to replace eligible OWBs that have resulted in valid complaints regarding emissions.

  * The APCD will contact these OWB owners, and applications will be accepted starting in January, 2011; vouchers will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis until funding runs out.



• $6,000 to replace eligible OWBs located within 200 feet of a residence, school, or health care facility not served by the OWB, or that have resulted in valid complaints regarding emissions.

  * Applications will be accepted starting on June 1, 2011; vouchers will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis until funding runs out.

• $1,000 to match manufacturer rebates to replace eligible OWBs.  Applications will be accepted, if funding is still available, starting on October 1, 2011.