If you live in the State of Massachusetts and you were looking to buy a traditional (low efficiency) wood boiler, you are now out of luck.

As of December 26th, residents may only purchase EPA Phase 2 qualified wood boilers (like the Greenwood Aspen Series). The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) issued the regulation to protect air quality in neighborhoods across the Commonwealth by limiting the amount of pollution emitted by outdoor wood-fired boilers, also known as outdoor hydronic heaters.

To read the announcement click here. To review the regulation go here.

OK, after my last post this is almost embarrasing … ok, not quite. We were just notified that Greenwood received a 2008 Reader’s Choice Award for the Apsen Series outdoor wood boiler from Contractor magazine. Winners are chosen based on the top 10 single highest inquiries from the magazine’s monthly new product sections.

Look here for more information.

It always a nice surprise when someone notices your work. We were recently surprised by an award for Best Product of 2008 from BUILDERnews magazine.  Winners were selected because they reflected significant contributions to the homebuilding industry, by raising the bar and pushing the limits for technology, efficiency and affordability while taking into account environmental concerns. 

Take a read here to read more.

This past week we were in Vermont for the EPA’s announcement of the Phase II Hydronic Heater Program. After you get past the name (which is a general term that refers to pellet, corn and wood boilers) you might ask  yourself what is so significant about this program?

First, as a consumer it means that there will be able to identify cleaner wood and biomass products from other dirtier products. The cleaner products carry a White Tag rather than the Orange Tag (from the Phase I program). These new units are 90% cleaner than traditional wood boilers rather than 70% cleaner than those that complied with the Phase I standards. Some products (like the Greenwood Aspen Series) qualified for both Phase I and Phase II. 

The second distinction is that it places all residential biomass heating appliances in the same category. This is similar to a fuel mileage rating system for automobiles where SUVs and hybrids gas mileage can be compared. In the case of wood boilers, the rating provides you an understanding of what type of output you get based on your fuel preference or installation location. Indoor and outdoor products as well as pellet, corn and log wood fuels are all on the same scale. As a consumer you have more information in which to make your decision.

Expect to hear a lot more about the White Tag or for more information head to the EPA site.

Maine residents pay attention!

Finally someone has figured out how to provide meaningful financial help to those families who are in a tight spot this winter due to the high costs of heating fuel. The folks up in Maine are leading the US in providing an innovative loan program for qualified homeowners.

MaineHousing’s Home Energy Loan Program offers loans at a low fixed rate of only 3.95% (4.194% APR) for home improvements that increase home energy efficiency.

This program is more than a band-aid. For those that participate, it will provide long-term relief from energy costs. Our hats are off to Maine State Housing Authority.

According to the New England Fuel Institute, an emergency home heating loan bill (H.R. 6920) has been introduced to the US Congress that would guarantee loans for up to $5,000 for consumers who did not exceed 150% of median household income for 2008 or 2009.

I recognize that these programs have their place and there are a number of families who truly benefit from them, but can’t we do more than a band-aid? Adding insulation, replacing old appliances, adding a renewable energy system are other ideas certainly worthy of consideration. Aren’t they!?!

That said, if you are one could benefit from this legislation, stay tuned. For the rest of you keep your eyes on DSIRE for other federal/state/local/utility incentives that promote renewable energy and energy efficiency.

The outdoor wood boiler (outdoor wood-fired furnace) good versus bad conversation continues to heat up. Just to make sure everyone sees Greenwood in the right light, we have the good products. Greenwood only makes clean burning wood boilers. In fact, as of the date of this post, we have the cleanest indoor and outdoor wood boilers as determined by the EPA. Sorry, no dirty-burning devices for us.

Greenwood Technologies outdoor wood boilers are designated by the EPA with an Orange Tag because of their low emission status. The Greenwood Aspen 175 and Greenwood Furnace Model 100 are certified for outdoor installation in the State of Vermont.  This is good news for clean burning wood boilers and wood-fired furnaces.  Read more about the debate in a NY Times article that posted on 9/19.

http://www.amny.com/news/local/wire/newyork/ny-bc-ny–outdoorfurnaces0919sep19,0,7542616.story

Recently there has been increased press coverage regarding the steps some state and provincial governments are taking to ensure that people can afford to stay warm this winter. Take a look at what is happening in Canada in this article from The Canadian Press. If you want a dose of reality — take a look at this article from the The Associated Press. Talk about depressing.

I am not against short-term subsidies, but the money being discussed begs the question — “Isn’t there a better way?” The same families that require the help this winter will most likely require the same help next year when fuel oil prices are even higher. Have we really made in any progress? We may have bought ourselves a little time, but that is all.

Of course the time we buy this winter will not save us for next winter — all of the wonderful energy projects being discussed on the national scene — wind farms, new oil production, solar power are years from widespread realization. So what is the answer?

Basically, there are two things that can be done aside from turning down your thermostat:

Improve home energy efficiency — sixty percent of the nergy used in the home is in the heating system. Insulation, weather stripping, and programable thermostats are just a few of the ways to reduce the fuel requirement in the home. In those regions of the country that are facing a crisis, why not make these improvements a requirement of, or even better yet, part of any fuel subsidy.

Move to a cheaper fuel source — In hard hit rural and small towns, wood or pellet fired systems are a viable option. Now, take that $750 subsidy and apply that to buy-down the interest rate on a loan or even better yet, provide a government guaranteed low interest loan. Imagine what that would do for to make a new wood/pellet heating system affordable AND provide a long-term solution to the heating dilemma. This type of program has been available in Europe for quite some time, so why are we so slow in exploring them?

The rhetoric surrounding the Presidential election is now picking up, especially after both parties recent conventions. Traditional topics are still front and center - education, the economy, and foreign policy to name a few. But now there is s new wrinkle.

As someone who pays more than he wants to at the gasoline pump and is concerned about how US energy policy affects other decisions made in Washington, I am cautiously optimistic about the potential to see some meaninful change in our energy dependence. Unlike elections in the past, energy and energy policy are now taking a higher profile.

Take a look at what each of the candidates are saying about their energy policy:

• McCain’s Lexington Project - http://www.johnmccain.com//Informing/Issues/17671aa4-2fe8-4008-859f-0ef1468e96f4.htm
• Obama’s New Energy for America - http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/newenergy

Will anything change — if energy independence is important to you, I encourage you to become familiar with the candidates platforms and make your voice heard!

According to the 2000 US Census, there are over 15 million households in the US which use wood as a primary or secondary source of heat; a staggering number. Given that figure, I find it fascinating that little is known about high-efficiency wood boilers — one of the most cost-effective and environmentally friendly categories of products on the market today.

Here’s an interesting article that ran in the paper that serves Prince William Sound in the Gulf of Alaska.  The paper is the Cordova Times.  The whole concept of EPA designated wood boilers is finding some traction, even if it is in the remote parts of the U.S.  http://thecordovatimes.com/news/show/3020