FARMINGTON – Heating season has arrived, but it’s not too late to reduce heating bills 40 percent by participating in the Model Neighborhood Wood Initiative. The Initiative helps people replace oil boilers with high-efficiency, fully automated wood pellet boilers that reduce heating costs, keep heating dollars circulating locally, and support the local forest-based economy.
Homeowners in Farmington and Wilton may be eligible for a 15 percent subsidy up to $3,000, plus a $5,000 rebate from Efficiency Maine for qualifying boilers. Municipal buildings, affordable housing properties, and other non-profit facilities can also apply to participate in the program, with a subsidy of 25 percent up to $12,000 for qualified projects. Subsidies are still available for 11 homes and 3 small commercial installations.
Anyone interested in learning about wood pellets for heat as an alternative to oil is invited to attend an information session Sept. 30 in Farmington at the Old South Congregational Church, 227 Main St. Project staff from Western Maine Community Action and the Northern Forest Center will explain the program and answer questions. Local project participants will be on hand to talk about their experience since converting to modern wood pellet heating. Representatives from manufacturers for several qualified wood pellet boilers will also on hand to demonstrate how the boilers work and answer questions.
The Model Neighborhood Wood Heat Initiative in Farmington is a partnership of Western Maine Community Action and the Northern Forest Center. More information is available online at http://goo.gl/FOcQdn or contact Maura Adams at madams@northernforest.org.
