A new federal grant program to help families across New England adopt heat pumps is expected to save Rhode Islanders money on their energy bills while also helping the environment.
The $450 million grant, announced Monday, is coming from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and will be distributed as part of the New England Heat Pump Accelerator.
The program is expected to target low- and moderate-income families and disadvantaged communities. It is being touted by a coalition of five states that includes Rhode Island, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine and New Hampshire as a way to make home heating, cooling and water heating more affordable.
“The federal government is revving up its engine to help people make the switch to cleaner and cheaper home energy options,” said U.S. Sen. Jack Reed, D.R.I.
He says heat pumps are reliable, efficient and offer long-term economic and environmental benefits.
“The more adopters, the more people will see the benefits that heat pumps generate in terms of home heating and cooling,” he said.
The program is expected to have three main goals: A Market Hub, an Innovation Hub, and a Resource Hub.
The Market Hub will boost participation in existing heat pump programs by working with manufacturers, distributors and contractors to promote sales and ensure adequate stocking.
The Innovation Hub will focus on helping low- and moderate-income households and disadvantaged communities adopt heat pumps. The Resource Hub will be a central portal where distributors, contractors, program implementers, and other stakeholders can access information about heat pumps.
Generative artificial intelligence (AI) assisted a What’sUpNewp journalist with the reporting included in this story.
When and how do I sign up for this program? Or who would I contact about it? When will it be available?