photo credit: cote

Fall is in the air and temperatures are dropping. Wood burning stoves that heat specific rooms are popular and are aggressively being marketed.

A reminder that there is a 30% upto $1500 Federal Tax Credit on Qualifying biomass fuel stoves or Wood Heat Stoves, Pellet Stoves, Fireplace Inserts.

Pellet stoves burn compressed sawdust and typically hold 24 hours worth of pellets. Look for easy to load and clean openings in Pellet stoves. These stoves are more efficient than wood burning models, but need power to run circulation fans.

In 2009, burning pellets costs about 15% less than oil and 40% less than electrical heat, but 25% more than natural gas. Prices change yearly though.

The Government has a powerful renewable energy incentive designed to reduce our reliance on foreign oil and increase clean, efficient home heating with wood logs and pellet fuels. The stoves must have a thermal efficiency rating of at least 75% as measured using a lower heating value.  Vendors have labeled which of their products qualify. Regency Fireplace products has a list of products that qualify.

This credit reduces the amount of tax you owe for 2009. The credit is a reduction of total income tax at the bottom of your return, up to $1500. This tax credit is a non-refundable tax credit. Consult your tax adviser for details. Use it or lose it! Credit details.

Products must have been purchased between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2010.

The tax credit is an aggregate, i.e., the total $1500 can include other energy efficient  items. For instance, if a consumer claims $900 on a new stove, then he will have  $600 to purchase additional energy saving products in the same tax year.

If a taxpayer uses the entire $1500 tax credit on a competing product then they  cannot use it for a biomass stove in that same tax year.

$1500 is the total credit for both 2009 and 2010 combined. Beware that those affected by the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) in 2010 may not qualify for the rebate unless Congress passes an AMT patch.

Be sure to place carbon monoxide and smoke detectors near the stoves to ensure safety.