Monterey County, California · Rebate
Wood Stove Change Out Program (Monterey Bay Air Resources District)
Run by Monterey Bay Air Resources District (MBARD)
Low-income households and residents of low-income or disadvantaged communities in Monterey, Santa Cruz and San Benito counties can get $5,000 to replace an old wood stove, insert or open fireplace used as their main heat with an electric heat pump, or $2,500 for an electric, pellet or qualified wood stove or insert. Get approval before buying.
Amounts
How much you get
$5,000 for an electric heat pump; $2,500 for an electric stove or insert, a qualified wood-burning stove or fireplace insert, or a pellet stove or insert. The amount depends on which of these fits your install.
| What you install | You get |
|---|---|
| Electric heat pump | $5,000 |
| Electric stove or insert | $2,500 |
| Qualified wood-burning stove or fireplace insert | $2,500 |
| Pellet stove or insert | $2,500 |
Eligibility
Do I qualify?
You need to meet all 6 of these.
Your home is in Monterey County, California.
Applicants must live in an SB535 disadvantaged community or SB1500 low-income community census tract (automatically eligible), or be a low-income household enrolled in LIHEAP through Central Coast Energy Services.
What to doIf you live outside a qualifying census tract, apply for LIHEAP through Central Coast Energy Services.
Outside a disadvantaged or low-income community, LIHEAP enrollment is how low income is shown.
What to doApply for LIHEAP online at caliheapapply.com. Wood Stove Change Out Program (WSCOP) - MBARD
The old device must be a functioning open-hearth fireplace, wood stove or wood-burning insert manufactured before July 1988 and used as a primary heat source; previously certified stoves aren't eligible.
Get an estimate from an MBARD-approved installer, apply online, and wait for the approval email before buying or installing; buying first forfeits the rebate.
What to doApply online with an approved installer's estimate and wait for the approval email. Wood Stove Change Out Program (WSCOP) - MBARD
An MBARD-approved, licensed dealer must install the device under a local building permit; no self-installation.
What to doUse an installer from MBARD's authorized list.
Equipment
What equipment counts
The program sets these minimums.
Pellet, catalytic or hybrid wood devices must be on the current EPA certified list; non-catalytic wood stoves must be on MBARD's approved list.
Applying
How to apply
You apply online. Get approved before you buy anything.
- Shop, but don't buy.
Pick the replacement device and note make, model, efficiency, emissions and cost.
- Get an installer estimate.
An MBARD-approved installer verifies your old device and gives an estimate (dated on or after 09/03/2025).
- Apply online.
Submit the application and save the approval email.
- Get a permit, buy and install.
Pull the local building permit; the approved dealer installs the device.
- Upload documents.
Use the link in the approval email to upload documents, photos and the final building permit.
Stacking
Use it with
Your address
Next steps
Check that it covers your address. This program has to approve you before you buy anything, so start with the program, not a contractor quote.
Is it available at your address?
Before anything else
Apply online with an approved installer's estimate and wait for the approval email.
Your quote request is in If a contractor we work with serves your ZIP, they can contact you. We take one request per person; contact us to change it.
Get an email if this program changes
We'll write if its amount, status or deadline changes. Nothing else.
FAQ
Questions
How much does Wood Stove Change Out Program (Monterey Bay Air Resources District) pay?
$2,500 to $5,000, depending on what you install. The table under How much you get lists each amount.
Is there an income limit?
Applicants must live in an SB535 disadvantaged community or SB1500 low-income community census tract (automatically eligible), or be a low-income household enrolled in LIHEAP through Central Coast Energy Services. If you live outside a qualifying census tract, apply for LIHEAP through Central Coast Energy Services.
Do I have to use a contractor?
Yes. An MBARD-approved, licensed dealer must install the device under a local building permit; no self-installation.
Do I need approval before I buy?
Yes. Apply before you buy or install anything; purchases made first don’t qualify. Get an estimate from an MBARD-approved installer, apply online, and wait for the approval email before buying or installing; buying first forfeits the rebate. Apply online with an approved installer's estimate and wait for the approval email.
Is it still available?
Yes. It was open when we last checked, on October 27, 2026.
Plain words
Words used on this page
References
Sources
This page is built from these official pages, run by the program itself.
When one of these pages changes, we re-check this page against it.
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