Maine is making headway in its electrification goals, with the big goal for 2025 being to facilitate the transition to heat pumps.
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Maine is making headway in its electrification goals, with the big goal for 2025 being to facilitate the transition to heat pumps, says Michael Stoddard, executive director of Efficiency Maine.
“For commercial buildings and homes, the past year has confirmed that the new generation of heat pumps are capable of heating and cooling a whole building, year-round,” he says. “The best heat pumps are able to consistently deliver heat when it is minus 15 degrees Fahrenheit outside, and some can even keep delivering heat when it gets much lower than that.”
One implication of technological advancements is that, in most communities in Maine, heat pumps alone can get people through the winter.
“A whole-home heat pump system enables you to turn off the old boiler and relegate it to an emergency backup,” he says.
To facilitate Mainers transitioning to whole-building heat pumps, Efficiency Maine modified its programs last year. Rebates for whole-home systems were increased up to $4,000 for most projects, and more for income-eligible homes, a strategy the trust intends to continue for the next three years.
And budgets were increased for businesses, schools and municipalities converting to heat pumps.
“The response has been terrific,” he says. “We are projecting that Mainers will have installed nearly 10,000 new heat pump systems capable of heating the entire home in the year ending June 2025.”
The marketplace for heat pumps is hot. More than 700 installers are registered on Efficiency Maine’s online listing for customers to choose from, nearly doubling the amount from a few years ago. Hundreds more are serving commercial customers.
“There are new manufacturers and many more models coming into the market, increasing the range of applications for which heat pumps can be used,” he says. “For anyone who currently heats with oil, propane or kerosene that is looking to cut down on costs, add efficient AC and reduce their carbon footprint, switching to heat pumps should be on your list of New Year’s resolutions for 2025.”
