Tax Credit of up to $1,500 for Biomass Stove Purchase

6/2/2009 (Minneapolis) Under the 2009 Economic Stimulus legislation, U.S. homeowners who purchase a 75-percent efficient biomass (wood or pellet) burning stove, fireplace or fireplace insert and place it into service in their home during 2009 or 2010 can receive a 30-percent tax credit for costs incurred, up to $1,500. Today the Federal Government released clarifying guidelines for qualifying biomass products.

The guidelines verify that the Heat & Glo® Northstar wood burning unit qualifies for the tax credit. Heat & Glo is a brand of Hearth & Home Technologies, based in Lakeville, Minnesota.

“In addition to enjoying the ambience of a wood or pellet burning appliance, homeowners now have another reason to install wood or pellet burning products in their homes,” said John Shimek, vice president of marketing for Hearth & Home Technologies. “The Northstar features the most advanced technologies for fuel and heat efficiency and is backed by a limited lifetime warranty.”

After the purchase, the homeowner can obtain an Official Manufacturer’s Certificate from the manufacture’s website or their dealer. It certifies that the product qualifies for the tax credit, and the homeowner can rely on the certificate when preparing his or her tax return. Homeowners are not required to submit the certificate or a product sales receipt to the government, but should retain them for their records. For more information, visit www.heatnglo.com.

The benefits of heating with biomass

There are multiple benefits to installing a wood or pellet burning appliance to produce heat in your home. Financial benefits are derived for years to come with reduced heating costs. And prices for wood and pellets are predictable when compared to propane, oil and natural gas, which can fluctuate greatly. “There are significant environmental benefits derived from heating your home with biomass,” said Dan Henry, chief technical officer for Hearth & Home Technologies. “Burning wood and pellets is considered carbon-neutral since only the carbon the tree or plant absorbed when growing is released into the air, contributing to less greenhouse gases.”

About EPA-certified wood burning fireplaces, stoves and inserts

Technological advancements have made today’s wood stoves, fireplaces and inserts considerably more efficient than dated models. EPA-certified wood burning units are up to 85-percent efficient, producing more heat with less wood to provide warmth and comfort for many hours. They are clean-burning with less ash and minimal outside air emissions. Complete combustion is achieved through high temperatures, ample oxygen and sufficient burning of gases before they are exhausted. It can also eliminate the accumulation of creosote, a flammable chimney residue. They are perfect for homeowners who want to live green and also enjoy the crackling sounds and flickering flames of burning wood.

The Heat & Glo Northstar EPA-certified wood unit:

• Burns wood fuel, which is renewable and considered carbon-neutral

• Produces low outside air particulate emissions

• If one of the cleanest burning, most efficient wood appliances available today

• Qualifies within green construction building programs, such as LEED® for Homes

Controlling energy costs and reducing fossil fuel consumption

Increasing concerns about controlling heating costs and living green have many homeowners turning to renewable fuels for supplemental or whole home heating. For the same reasons, the U.S. government is supporting and promoting the use of biomass appliances for heat. For more information about the tax credit, visit http://www.irs.gov/.

About Hearth & Home Technologies Inc.

Hearth & Home Technologies is the world’s leading provider of whole hearth systems including fireplaces, stoves and inserts, as well as furnaces that utilize biomass fuels. Its family of brands includes Harman™, Heatilator®, Heat & Glo®, Quadra-Fire® and Fireside Hearth & Home® retail stores and builder design centers. The company offers a wide variety of energy efficient and environmentally sustainable hearth products, which are manufactured, packaged and delivered with respect for the environment. Hearth & Home Technologies is a subsidiary of HNI Corporation (NYSE: HNI), the second largest office furniture manufacturer in the United States. More information can be found at www.hearthnhome.com.

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