Woodstove owners looking to upgrade to a newer, more efficient model may be eligible for a state-funded rebate that can be as much as $1,250, and more for low income residents.

Matthew Beaton, secretary of the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, announced the 2015 edition of the Commonwealth Woodstove Change-Out Program at stove dealer Enchanted Fireside on Friday.

"This is a very important program that spans across all of our agency" he said. "It's a great program because it promotes energy efficiency, but there are also environmental benefits, as well as cost savings for the consumer."

The program, which is now in its third year, offers rebates of $750 to $1,250 to residents who swap out an older woodstove for a newer, more energy efficient and less polluting stove. Residents who qualify as low income can receive an additional $1,000.

$900,000 has been allocated for the change-out program; applications received by May 22 are expected to be funded in full. Rebate applications received after May 22 will be processed if funding still remains.

In order to be eligible for the rebate, a resident must work with an authorized stove professional and provide an electric bill and other documentation as part of the rebate application. New installations are not eligible for the program.

Alicia Barton, chief executive officer of Mass. Clean Energy Center, said that the change-out program is among the agency's most popular programs, and has helped more than 850 Massachusetts residents upgrade their woodstoves.

"We are launching this today, and there has been a high demand in the past," she said. "The program will be open for about six weeks. You don't have to run out today and do it, but don't wait too long."

"In 2013, we ran out of rebates in just two or three days," Mr. Beaton said. "We are encouraging folks to get out and support their local businesses and take advantage of this program."

The change-out is administered by the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center in conjunction with the state Department of Environmental Protection and the Department of Energy Resources.

Martin Suuberg, commissioner of the state Department of Environmental Protection, said that 20 older, less efficient wood stoves can contribute as much as a ton of fine particulate pollution over the course of a winter, aggravating asthma and other lung conditions.

Huong Truong