Urgent clarification on one detail about the statewide Mich. Stove Change Out Program. If a homeowner converts an open fireplace to a HEATING insert unit, either EPA Certified wood burning insert, pellet/corn insert, or gas insert, they are eligible for the rebate. Putting a set of gas logs into an existing fireplace does NOT make them eligible for the rebate. You may still do some kind of discount on your own and/or in conjunction with a manufacturer.
The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) received a grant from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to do a state-wide wood stove change out program in 2008. They are having a non-profit group called Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC) administer the program.
The rebate amount that the first 500 qualifying consumers will receive for changing out an old wood stove during the Michigan state-wide promotion May 8 - July 31 is $290 per customer. This will be in addition to discount incentives provided by retailers and their suppliers. Remember, the rebates will be sent directly to the customer upon verification of their Rebate Request Forms by MUCC. ALL FORMS MUST BE MAILED IN TO MUCC.
The order will be based upon purchase date. The MUCC office will be sending weekly updates of requests received to all participating dealers until the first 400 are qualified and processes, and daily after that. This way, participating dealers will be able to accurately inform their customers if they are likely to be one of the first 500 to submit a request. Participating retailers will need to email updates of how many change outs they sell throughout the program. This need only be a simple "we did 10 change out sales this past weekend" so that MUCC can track the progress of the program.
Customers buying a wood stove to replace a wood stove and doing their own installation of the appliance after a simple cash & carry purchase at the store WILL NOT qualify for a rebate from MUCC. The consumer still needs to have a state licensed and/or NFI Certified installer do the installation. This has been a consistent policy of the EPA's Residential Woodsmoke Reduction Initiative since it began years ago. They simply do not want do-it-yourself installations in change out programs.
View the general news release from MUCC (130K PDF)
Dealers will sign up with MSHPBA to participate.
Retailer Incentives (90K PDF)
Dealer Agreement Form (44K PDF)
Rebate Request Form (61K PDF)
The Kick Off Press Event will be held May 8 at the Capital Building in Lansing.
These companies/brands have offered discounts in conjunction with dealers:
Archgard
Avalon
Blaze King
Bosca
Chim-Flex Chimney Liner
Country Stoves
Drolet
Excalibur
Fireplace Xtrordinair
Hampton
Harman Stove Company
Hearthstone
Heatilator
Heat-n-Glo
Jøtul
Kuma
Lennox
Lexington Forge
Lopi
Napoleon
Osburn
Pacific Energy
Quadra Fire
Regency
Scan
Security/BIS
St. Croix
The Homestyle and Eurostyle Collections
Vermont Castings
May is National Barbecue Month (NBM), and the official kickoff to the 
beginning of the summer grilling season. The Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association (HPBA) has created a Retailer Tool Kit packed with ideas to help you promote NBM through promotions and media relations.
To view the kit please visit: http://www.hpba.org/index.php?id=235
Several manufacturers have agreed to make FITS (Fireplace Installer Training System) eligible for their co-op programs as part of the FITS Training Partner program. Current participants include CFM, DESA, FPI, Hearth & Home Technologies, ICC-RSF, Jøtul North America, Napoleon, Selkirk, Simpson Dura-Vent, and Travis Industries. This strong support can significantly reduce start-up costs for this cutting edge installer training program. Check with these Training Partners for details of their co-op support, go to www.FITStraining.org for updates, or ask your suppliers to consider participation.
FITS is an organized, effective, method of training installers, beginning with Gas Fireplaces, Level 1. It includes all of the materials you need to start and run your own in-house training program. To learn more about FITS, visit www.FITStraining.org
The HEARTH Education Foundation debuted in May with 
three classes offered. Classes are live and interactive, presented by an instructor who can lead discussion among participants, answer questions and show images and text. All you need is a computer with speakers to take part.
Recognizing that Health & Safety (SHL) CEU's have been the most difficult for NFI Certified Specialists to obtain, we are pleased to announce two new online courses: "Workplace First Aid" and "Tools For OSHA Compliance". Each course is 90 minutes in length and worth 1.5 SHL CEU's. Both courses are being offered in September and October.
Also offered is Hearth 101(no CEUs), Gas Tech 101 (1.5 CEUs) and Why My Wood Isn't Burning (1.5 CUEs).
For more information on the courses and to sign up , contact Rick Vlahos at Vlahos@hpba.org or visit www.hpbef.org
Member Success Clubs are an assembly of non-competing retailers or distributors. Participants gather regularly to improve their operational performance by exchanging ideas, best practices and information.
The Best Practices Come From Those Who Perform Them Every Day.
For more information, or to sign up to visit a Member Success Club, Contact Antonio Jackson at HPBA. Phone: 703-522-0086 ·Email: jackson@hpba.org
Fill out the APPLICATION to get a quote for your company. Program includes discounts for members and NFI certified professionals
