Federal Grant Boosts Heat Pump Program in Coastal Alaska

Southeast Conference and Alaska Heat Smart just got some exciting news! They’ve been awarded a hefty $38.6 million federal grant to help homeowners in Southeast and Southcentral coastal Alaska replace their old fossil-fuel heating systems.

Alaska Heat Smart has already made a significant impact, getting heat pumps into over 1,000 homes in the region. This new funding, which comes from the Environmental Protection Agency, is set to “supercharge” their efforts even further.

Andy Romanoff, the executive director of Alaska Heat Smart, expressed his initial feelings about the grant as a mix of shock and excitement. He believes the region is ready to ramp up heat pump installations.

According to Romanoff, coastal Alaska–from Ketchikan to Kodiak–is in a perfect spot for heat pumps. The winters are mild, and the summers are not too hot, making it easy to maintain a comfortable temperature in homes.

Many communities like Juneau, Sitka, and Ketchikan rely on clean hydropower for their electricity, meaning the heat pumps can operate without creating emissions. Even if the power comes from diesel, homeowners can still save between 25% to 50% on their heating bills compared to traditional oil heating systems.

Robert Venables, executive director of Southeast Conference, pointed out that this is especially beneficial for rural communities where heating costs can be a real burden. The new program aims to help those small villages more than anything else.

The funding will kickstart the Accelerating Clean Energy Savings in Alaska’s Coastal Communities Program, which will offer financial incentives for heat pumps stretching from Ketchikan to Kodiak. Homeowners can expect rebates ranging from $4,000 to $8,500, depending on their income.

This program proposal was chosen from over 300 applicants nationwide under the EPA’s Climate Pollution Reduction Grant program, which had a total of $4.3 billion available for projects focused on reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

However, Romanoff mentioned a big challenge they might face: while there’s money available for heat pumps, they might not have enough people trained to install them. He’s hopeful that more HVAC professionals, plumbers, and electricians will jump on board and start specializing in heat pumps.

“This is a great opportunity to start or grow a business in this area,” Romanoff said, encouraging more people to join this green movement. He believes the time has never been better to get involved, as they are about to embark on an exciting journey.

Expect to see this program officially rolling out by next spring!