Rebates for heat pumps are now double in Maine, but there are exceptions
STATEWIDE (WGME) - If you're interested in getting a heat pump, the state is sweetening the deal.
Rebates for Mainers who want to buy one - or two - just doubled.
Governor Janet Mills made the announcement Tuesday morning as part of her goal to install 100,000 heat pumps in the state by 2025.
Mills says the initiative doesn't use taxpayer money and will be funded through the Efficiency Maine Trust.
Efficiency Maine estimates a high performance heat pump can save the typical home heated with oil up to $300-$600 a year and reduce carbon emissions.
"Supporting energy and increasing energy efficiency programs has been and will continue to be a priority for this administration because we know that our future depends on the actions we take now to address the climate change while creating green collard jobs that move our economy forward," Gov. Mills said.
The new rebate for the first indoor unit will be a $1,000, which is up from $500, but you have to get a high performance heat pump and have a home not served by natural gas.
The new rebates apply to units installed on or after January 1, 2020.
The rebate for the second unit increase from $250 to $500.
[More details from Efficiency Maine]
More than 45,000 ductless heat pumps have been installed in homes and businesses across Maine over the past five years, according to Efficiency Maine.
Last year the I-Team put heat pumps to the test to see how well they really work in Maine.