Gov. Janet Mills (D) announced Friday that Maine is now slated to receive $43 million in federal funding to support the installation of high-efficiency heat pump water heaters.
This money comes through the New England Heat Pump Accelerator, described by the governor as “a collaborative multi-state initiative supported by a Federal grant to rapidly increase the adoption of heat pump technology across the region.”
Heat pump water heater purchased at participating Maine distributors and retailers will be eligible for an instant discount of up to $1,100 through Efficiency Maine rebates for eligible households.
According to Gov. Mills, use of these water heaters can reduce annual electricity costs for households by as much as $650.
“Maine families know every dollar counts, and heat pump water heaters can save hundreds of them every year,” said Mills. “With this new funding, we will help even more households lower their energy bills, cut their reliance on expensive fossil fuels, and stay comfortable in their homes.”
“This investment also means good-paying jobs for plumbers, electricians, and businesses doing the work right here in our state,” she added.
“Heat pump water heaters are one of the most powerful tools we have to cut energy costs right now — and over the long term,” said Dan Burgess, Acting Commissioner of the Maine Department of Energy Resources (DOER).
“By making this technology accessible to tens of thousands of households across the state, we’re putting real money back in people’s pockets, reducing our dependence on costly and unpredictable fossil fuels, and building a stronger, more resilient energy future for Maine,” Burgess said.
“As we approach the end of the heating season, now is a good time for homeowners and landlords to make a plan for replacing old boilers and water heaters nearing the end of their product life,” said Michael Stoddard, Executive Director at Efficiency Maine.
“A good first step is to check out the Efficiency Maine website where you will find helpful information about high-efficiency heating systems, rebates and a list of participating contractors who can assist you in dramatically reducing your exposure to imported fuel prices,” Stoddard added.
Click Here to Read the Full Press Release
The governor also touted a handful of other clean energy milestones in Friday’s press release, including the state’s reduced reliance on heating fuel and the rapid adoption of heat pumps statewide.
More than 700 homes throughout Maine have installed heat pumps with the help of Maine’s Home Energy Rebates program, which launched in 2024 with $36 million in Federal funding.
I have been told by more than one plumber to stay away from these, do your own research. As it was put to me, less hot water and more things to go wrong.
Just another way to piss away more money to buy votes. The country is 39 trillion in debt and they’re printing more to piss away on stupid stuff like this.
After almost five years of using heat pumps in an apartment, I can tell you they’re inefficient, noisy and dusty. As with windmills and solar panels they’re just another political scam to line the pockets of crony capitalists.
We bought this tall tale and put heat pumps in our new home. During the summer our electricity bill was less than $200. As soon as the cold weather hit, they skyrocketed to $560 per month. The kicker is, after we saw how much they cost to run, we put in a large wood stove and I work from home burning constantly. For some odd reason, the electricity bill did not decrease. Explain that to me. I highly do not recommend. They are rigged somehow.
If they are so good, why do they need my tax dollars. And they need fossil fuels to make them, run them and eventually dispose of.
Here in Maine we have just about the most expensive cost of electricity per KW in the entire country due to all of the “green” wind and solar BS that has been forced on to us. Now our Governess Mills is going to try to scam us into using even more KWs per month to heat our water. Thanks, but I will continue to have my water heated by my very efficient basement boiler running on #2. We have a pro come in once a year to tune the beast and it has been running smoothly since 1992.
Stop calling it “Federal Funding”…use the right term of “Taxpayer funding” or Dollars! We were given a price, AFTER rebate for heat pumps for our house of almost $18,000. A payback, we would never see!
Isn’t that awesome !! The Chinese grow houses will love those, and if there’s any left they’ll go the Somali community, who will sell them back to us Maine citizens at regular price……my tax dollars at work……..
Jim Labrecque has explained this at nauseum. Had to been money in the pipeline just arriving; as I can not see any (thinking) legisilature reviewing this program as a “good thing” for the folks. For their personal stock investments perhaps…. or oversea junkets for nieces and nephews, but not for the folks…….just sayin’
More of General Mills Maine Green Scam! Sad thing is 60% of Mainers will take the bait?
I am so sick of these monsters. Please bring sanity back to Maine.
Of course, need to get rid of the Bellows fraud machine for this to happen.
More useless gov’t!
This is a scam… I have heat pumps in my home and they do not give you the heating output advertised (think weak hair dryer in every room) and the electric bill skyrockets … using a FHW boiler on fuel oil is far superior for equally distributed warmth & even with oil prices up its cheaper to run.