Did you know that Vermont has had a fully-operational wood pellet central heating industry for more than ten years? It is a model of private-public partnership.

Renewable wood pellet heating fuel is low cost, price stable, and keeps $.78 of every heating dollar in our region instead of sending it to the petroleum industrial complex. Wood pellet central heating supports local jobs, and sustainable forests throughout our region, all while cleaning up greenhouse gas emissions from oil and gas heating systems.

The new generation of hands-free, clean-heat wood pellet boilers and furnaces is a key technology for reaching Vermont’s clean energy goals, but so far we are behind schedule.

It takes more technology to heat with a solid fuel than it does a liquid or gas so pellet boilers and furnaces cost more to install. Yet, over the life of the system they will save you tens of thousand of dollars and hundreds of tons of greenhouse gas emissions,

In order to level the playing-field Vermont has invested in the following incentives:

Part A: $3,000 RERC incentive
Paid directly to the installer
http://www.rerc-vt.org/incentives-program/eligibility

Part B: $3,000 Efficiency Vermont Incentive
Paid the installer, homeowner, or boiler company
https://www.efficiencyvermont.com/rebates/list/central-wood-pellet-furnaces-boilers-residential

Part C:  Sales Tax exemption for pellet boilers
The exemption is on qualifying equipment and directly associated equipment must meet the following requirements:  (A) installed as a
primary central heating system; (B) rated as high-efficiency, meaning a higher heating value or gross calorific value of 85 percent or more;
(C) containing at least a one week fuel-storage, automated startup and shutdown, and fuel feed; and (D) meeting other efficiency and air
emissions standards established by the Department of Environmental Conservation.