You have until the end of 2025 to maximize your sales efforts with the tax credit. Unfortunately the tax credit will now be going away on December 31, 2025.

The Tax Credit Certificate has been updated adding 

Kuma Stoves Qualified Manufacturer ID (QMID):  N4K7 

This number will be needed by customers when claiming the credit for the final year

Welcome to Kuma Dealer University.  Information central for Kuma Dealers.

View, Print, or Download our Tax Credit Guide and Efficiency Certificate Updated for 2024

2025 Stricter Requirements For $2000 Tax Credit. Kuma Qualifies

Wood and pellet stove retailers need to be aware of new rules in 2025 for the $2000 energy tax credit. In previous years, manufacturers could use their own logic in declaring that their products meet the efficiency requirements of the tax credit. Starting January 1st, 2025, that is no longer allowed:

1. All Appliances must be on EPA’s list of certified wood heaters as 75% HHV efficient (all Kuma LE-1 models qualify)

2. Manufacturers must obtain a “Qualified Manufacturer (QM)” number. Kuma has completed the process and is considered a QM by the IRS. We will be releasing our QM number soon according to IRS guidelines.

3. Taxpayers will need this number for their tax returns at the end of this year.
   
   Beware of manufacturers claiming that ineligible products qualify. For your customer’s sake, make sure that you know which products no longer qualify for the tax credit under the new rules.

K-181 Series Now Approved For Sale In Fairbanks

The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (ADEC) has recently updated their list of approved devices for sale in the Fairbanks borough. The Kuma K-181 Series (Aspen LE-1, Tamarack LE-1, Aberdeen LE-1 and Alpine LE-1) are now on that list of approved devices.

2024 Blower Promotion Available Now Through Nov 30th. 2024

Increase sales opportunities by offering your customers a free blower with the purchase of a wood stove or fireplace insert, Kuma will give you a credit for 50% of the cost of the blower. Follow these steps to get your credit:

1. Run a sale offering a free blower with the purchase of a Kuma Wood Stove (Here is an ad that can be run in print or shared on your social media).

2. Pick a specific end date for the promotion and communicate the date to your customers. The promotion end date can be no later than Nov. 30th, 2024.

3. When you sell a stove, make sure that you create a dated invoice showing that the blower was given away for free during promotion.

4. When the promotion ends, email one request to sales@kumastoves.com for a credit equaling 50% of the dealer cost of all the blowers that you gave away during the promotion.

5. Attach a copy of all the invoices showing that you gave away the blowers for free.

6. Kuma will issue you a credit on your account within 30 days of receiving the request.

Dealers are not required to participate in this promotion. Any national advertising regarding this promotion will clearly state, "Dealer participation my vary by location".

All Blowers Now Heat Sensor Equipped

Beginning September 15th, 2023 the KA BL 05 (Freestanding Blower) will be equipped with a snap disk/heat sensor that turns the blower on automatically when the stove is warm and shuts off automatically when the stove cools down. This is the same technology that is currently used in our insert blowers.

There is no price change to the blower and if your customer would like full manual control then we can provide you with a snap disk delete jumper that you can install bypassing the heat sensor. These are available free of charge by request.

Update your Tax Credit Poster

Are you displaying the Kuma Federal Tax Credit poster? If you we are sending you a simple sticker to update the percentage from 26% to 30%. Let us know if you do not have a poster and we can send you a new one. We are sending you that sticker with a print version of this newsletter that will come in the Brochure box of your next stove order.

EPA Withdraws the Use of ASTM Cordwood Test Method For Future Certifications. Updated July 2023.

60% of wood stoves that are currently EPA approved for sale have been tested using the ASTM Cordwood test method. Kuma’s LE line of wood stoves are among them. We are disappointed by EPA’s decision to throw out this sound method that was developed transparently and with input from all interested stakeholders. This does not come as a major surprise and although we are frustrated, Kuma is already prepared to transition away from this method. Please review these highlights and rest assured, this is not 2016 all over again:

1. All Kuma products are EPA certified through late spring of 2024 as is with no testing necessary.

2. We have completed the new testing required by the EPA and the test reports are currently being reviewed by the EPA

3. We do not plan to change any design of the stoves that would affect parts replacement or safety listings (Clearances, hearth requirements etc.). 

4. Model names will change: The K-181 series is replacing the K-180 series and the K-251 series is replacing the K-250 series

5. Performance numbers will nominally change.

Our Method On Back-ordering Items

As of July 2023 stock levels are good and back-ordering will not usually be necessary. Generally speaking our methodology will be as follows:

1. We will wait to ship an order complete if we estimate that it will delay the order by less than a week or so.

2. If the item is incidental to an installation being carried out (eg. a replacement part or a blower that can be added later) we are more likely to back-order such item so that your install schedule is not disrupted.

3. Pedestal Kits will almost never be back-ordered because they can not ship via UPS, they must ship freight due to weight.

4. Dealers are responsible for all shipping charges including back-orders.

5. We cannot generally adapt specific back-order policies to your account BUT you can request your account to not back-order (wait to ship complete). We do not recommend this as it could delay orders significantly.

As you see in the video, this can be done with almost any pair of pliers but there is a special strain relief tool that you can purchase (see below) to make this process easier. On the BL 03 there are 2 tabs that can be bent over to keep the cord away from the fan motor. The final step of the process is to install a metal cap to cover the hole opposing the cord. This can then be painted with the touch-up paint included with each stove.

Here is a link to the Heyco 0022 pliers

As always, we recommend that a professional stove technician perform this cord swap. We also want to note that the BL 03 (Alpine LE Insert Blower) will now come out of the box with the cord on the right hand side. The BL 02 (Cascade LE Insert Blower) will remain a left hand cord out of the box. This change is starting to roll out now, old stock will likely be depleted within 2 weeks.

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