Maine Launches Heat Pump Rebate Program

Governor Janet Mills of Maine, alongside U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm, announced a $36 million heat pump rebate program aimed at assisting low-income households in weatherizing their homes and reducing energy costs. The initiative is part of a larger $72 million allocation from the U.S. Department of Energy to fund energy upgrades in residential buildings throughout the state. This program will prioritize low-income households and is designed to help transition Maine homes from oil heating, which currently affects 56% of residences, to cleaner alternatives like heat pumps. In British Columbia, a similar program called the Clean BC Multi-Unit Residential Building Retrofit Program has been launched to encourage energy-efficient upgrades in multi-unit buildings, offering rebates for installations such as heat pumps and LED lighting. Victoria, Australia, is also promoting rebates for the installation of energy-efficient air conditioning systems to replace outdated gas heating, as part of its commitment to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. These efforts reflect a growing trend across North America and Australia to enhance energy efficiency and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.