Federal court rules against part of New England grid operator reliability plan

A federal appeals court has thwarted part of a plan to improve the reliability of New England’s electric grid during the winter that would pay electricity generators extra for keeping fuel on-site.

As climate change causes more unreliable weather and conflict in Ukraine pinches energy markets, ISO-New England, the organization in charge of keeping the region’s lights on, is planning to provide payments to electricity generators to keep three days worth of fuel on hand.

Their plan, called the Inventoried Energy Program, is meant to improve the reliability of the grid during winter, in particular on some of the coldest days of the year. The program would be used for the winters between 2023 and 2025.

But after federal regulators approved the plan in 2020, a group of petitioners, including the state of New Hampshire, challenged their decision in court.

Challengers said certain kinds of electricity generators – those using coal, nuclear, biomass, and hydropower – already keep three days worth of fuel on site. ISO-New England would be paying those generators an extra $40 million dollars a year for just doing what they already do.

While the federal appeals court agreed with the challengers, saying those generators would not change their behavior in response to subsidies, it also upheld the rest of the Inventoried Energy Program.

Melissa Birchard, director of clean energy and grid reform at the Acadia Center, said the decision was a partial win.

“This decision from the court does at least protect consumers from some wasted expenditures,” she said.

But, Birchard said, what the grid needs is long-term solutions for reliability that move away from fossil fuels, which New England has to import from sometimes-volatile international markets.

Solutions that move towards renewable energy are also important for mitigating climate change, Birchard said.

“We need markets, regional markets that promote the development of clean reliability resources,” she said. “And right now, our markets aren’t doing that effectively. And so instead, we keep relying on fossil fuels.”

Energy efficiency, battery storage, and demand response programs – where consumers shift the time of day when they use electricity – can all contribute to reliability, Birchard said.

Read the full article in New Hampshire Public Radio here.

Maine energy efficiency plan puts priority on equity, electrification

Maine’s utility regulators have approved the state’s latest three-year energy efficiency plan, a set of programs and incentives that environmental and community advocates say will make it easier for low-income and rural residents to weatherize their homes and access electric vehicle chargers.

The plan substantially increases funding for programs serving low- and moderate-income households, continues efforts to expand electric vehicle charging infrastructure into more sparsely populated areas, and builds upon the state’s already nation-leading heat pump incentives. In total, the plan calls for spending just under $300 million over three years and projects a lifetime benefit totaling $1.5 billion for the state, in addition to the environmental gains it is expected to produce.

“We think that these benefits extend beyond the economic savings to include really important progress with carbon reductions and improving our energy independence, which has never been more important,” said Michael Stoddard, executive director of the Efficiency Maine Trust, the quasi-governmental agency that administers the bulk of the state’s efficiency programs.

Efficiency Maine puts out a new plan every three years, outlining its intended goals, spending, and programs. The newly approved plan, called Triennial Plan V, covers the years 2023 to 2025 and has been widely praised.

“This is a wonderful plan,” said Jeff Marks, Maine director for climate and energy nonprofit the Acadia Center. “This gets at a lot of the priorities in Maine.”

In recent years, Maine has made some ambitious climate commitments. In 2019, a new law set a goal of having 100,000 electric heat pumps installed in Maine by 2025, a target the state is well on the way to reaching. That same year, Gov. Janet Mills set a goal to make the state carbon-neutral by 2045. And, at the end of 2020, the state released Maine Won’t Wait, a comprehensive climate action plan that lays out a roadmap for reaching the state’s goal of cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by 2050.

At the same time, this new plan arrives at a moment when Maine is increasingly feeling the strain of rising energy prices. At the beginning of the year, prices for electric supply went up between 83% and 89% for customers of Maine’s major electric utilities. More than 60% of homes in the state use heating oil for home heating, and prices for that fuel have more than doubled since the same time last year.

“We saw the family impacts of fossil fuel volatility really strike home this winter,” said Jack Shapiro, climate and clean energy director for the Natural Resources Council of Maine.

The plan’s strong focus on making cost-saving measures available to lower-income and rural residents is therefore especially welcome, advocates said.

The plan calls for spending some $33.2 million on services directed to low- and moderate-income households, an increase of more than 40% over the amount budgeted in the previous three-year plan. Much of this growth comes thanks to money from the American Rescue Plan Act, the federal COVID-response bill. This infusion of federal money will allow a sixfold increase in spending on weatherization services for households in the target group.

To scale up these services effectively, Efficiency Maine will in many cases conduct outreach directly to eligible households, help homeowners select the right products for their needs, and coordinate with vendors for installation.

This strategy is key for reaching some of Maine’s more isolated communities, said Suzanne McDonald, chief community development officer for the Island Institute, a nonprofit that supports island and coastal communities in Maine. Residents of rural areas may have a difficult time finding qualified contractors who are local or willing to drive or fly to remote towns or island communities. The direct outreach model can help overcome those barriers, she said.

Another $6.8 million will be directed into electric vehicle initiatives. The plan will continue to fund point-of-sale electric vehicle rebates — $2,000 for a new battery-electric car, $5,500 for a new car purchased by a low-income buyer, and $2,500 for a used vehicle for a low-income household. The plan also calls for the deployment of more charging infrastructure in rural parts of the state where opportunities to charge up are few and far between.

“What makes this plan feel like it’s made in Maine, for Maine is that it has a real commitment to equity in terms of income equity and geographic equity,” McDonald said.

Another $57.7 million — a 33% increase over the previous plan — is budgeted to accommodate expected increased activity in home energy savings programs, centered largely on weatherization and heat pump installation. And $86.8 million is allocated to commercial and industrial programs, including education about and incentives for energy-efficient heating and cooling, ventilation, and lighting systems.

While environmental and community advocates had strong praise for the new plan, they have started to think about strategies for even better serving Mainers and cutting energy use next time around. Particularly, many activists would like to see a focus on whole-home retrofits, considering heating, appliances, and weatherization as a system.

“If we can somehow incentivize whole-home packages, we will be able to make those improvements better and stronger,” Marks said.

As a whole, the plan provides a model other states should take note of, said Erin Cosgrove, public policy manager for the nonprofit Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships. Most notably, Maine’s heat pump program is charging ahead, she said, while other states in the region are still conducting pilot programs.

“They’re leading the way as we look at transitioning into electrification,” Cosgrove said. “Maine is really a shining example.”

Read the full article in Energy News Network here.

38 Groups Across New England Issue Letter to Support Joint State RFI for Transmission for Offshore Wind

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JUNE 16, 2022

Boston, MA – Today, over three dozen New England organizations including environmental and community groups, labor unions, and businesses and associations from across each of the six New England states sent a letter to the New England Governors urging them to issue a joint Request for Information (RFI) for electric transmission solutions for offshore wind. The letter, signed by a large diversity of groups that has never before come together to collectively advocate for transmission infrastructure, urges the New England states to jointly issue an RFI for transmission to connect offshore wind to consumers, and requests that the RFI include a solicitation for planned, offshore grid solutions.

New England boasts some of the best offshore wind resources in the country. Harnessing the economic potential of offshore wind can drive growth in the region, help build an equitable clean economy with high-quality jobs, and save billions of dollars for electric ratepayers.

Today’s letter breaks new ground by including organizations and interests from across each of the six New England states to advocate for transmission for offshore wind. “Offshore wind is the single biggest lever we can pull to address the climate crisis, meet our energy needs, and grow our economy all simultaneously,” said Susannah Hatch, of the Environmental League of Massachusetts, speaking on behalf of the New England for Offshore Wind coalition. “Transmission is a critical challenge that needs to be addressed in order for us to seize this opportunity and unlock the next generation of offshore wind projects in the region. Given the astounding benefits that the responsible development of offshore wind would offer our region – from high-quality jobs and economic opportunity to reducing pollution and carbon emissions, it’s no wonder that diverse interests across all six states want to see it get built. We are eager to see the six states move ahead on transmission solutions for offshore wind now.”

“A broad diversity of groups is excited to bring more clean offshore wind to New England communities and we all recognize that can’t be done without cables to deliver the power,” said Melissa Birchard, Director for Clean Energy & Grid Reform at Acadia Center, a clean energy advocacy and research organization that participated in the group letter. “It’s critical to get to work now on the transmission solutions to connect New England with more offshore wind, and a joint request for information about well-planned, offshore grid solutions would jumpstart that work. A well-planned offshore grid that channels more wind to communities using fewer cables could slash costs and impacts.”

Both groups said they hope the strong showing of support across New England for transmission solutions will convince the New England governors to move ahead now with an RFI for transmission for offshore wind.

Read the Letter to New England Governors on Offshore Wind Transmission

Press Contacts:
Susannah Hatch, shatch@environmentalleague.org, 978-852-3629
Melissa Birchard, mbirchard@acadiacenter.org, 857-276-6883

 

New England for Offshore Wind (NE4OSW) is a collaborative, broad-based coalition that includes partners from a diverse array of organizations and communities across New England. We are committed to combatting climate change by increasing the supply of clean energy to our regional grid through more procurements of responsibly developed offshore wind.

Acadia Center is a northeast-based nonprofit research and advocacy organization advancing a safe climate and a clean energy future that benefits everyone.

Seizing the Moment to Push for Climate Action in Massachusetts

On Monday, Acadia Center’s Environmental Justice Associate, Joy Yakie, joined advocates from environmental justice organizations, labor union officials, businesses, and other climate activists to reiterate the urgency of climate action. Yakie emphasized that the state can further climate goals and progress towards a smooth and faster transition to clean energy by implementing climate action plans to make its goals a reality. With the funding from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), the state can continue to establish its exemplary leadership on state-level climate solutions by making opportunities for an increased clean energy workforce, stated Joe Curtatone, President of Northeast Clean Energy Council (NECEC) and organizer of the press conference. Other speakers and represented groups included the Conservation Law Foundation (CLF), Ceres, Browning the Green Space (BGS), GreenRoots, 350 Mass, Mass Renews Alliance, SparkCharge, and others. The full recording of the event can be accessed here.

Average CMP bill to decrease almost 3% for home customers starting in July

Who says energy prices never go down?

The typical Central Maine Power residential customer will see their monthly bill decrease by $3.40 or 2.7 percent of the total bill, effective July 1, state regulators announced Tuesday.

The decrease is the result of an annual reconciliation of costs, power contracts and other financial considerations conducted by CMP and Versant Power, the state’s two largest electric utilities.

In approving the rate decreases for both utilities, the Maine Public Utilities Commission said the sale of energy from renewable energy projects, in particular, is driving generation costs down, resulting in lower customer bills.

Versant Power customers will see a slightly smaller rate decrease than CMP customers will get, the commission said, although it had yet to complete the exact calculations for Versant on Tuesday.

With consumer price inflation still out of control, PUC commissioners said they are interested in keeping Mainers’ electricity costs as low as possible this year.

“It’s not always easy to quantify the impact of the renewable energy procurements facilitated by the commission, as it can take some time to see the results,” PUC Chairman Philip Bartlett said. “This is an example of the payoff of those procurements, and we are pleased to be able to offer this positive news during a time when energy prices have been trending upward at an unprecedented rate.”

Maine law requires utilities to buy electricity generated by renewable energy suppliers at rates negotiated by the PUC. The utilities then generally sell that electricity on the open market. This year, the market was particularly favorable for those with a supply of electricity to sell.

The utilities were able to make millions of dollars off the sale of the electricity, which is then calculated in the year-end reconciliation of costs and revenue, resulting in a rate decrease for customers.

The PUC noted that the calculations are the result of “many moving parts,” but said the net impact is lower costs for customers of CMP, Versant Power-Bangor Hydro District residential customers and Versant Power-Maine Public District residential customers.

“This is welcome news for many Mainers as they face increasing costs across the board,” Joe Purington, president and chief executive of CMP, said in a statement.

State officials also applauded the rate cut, particularly since it was due at least in part to increased renewable energy generation in Maine.

“The PUC’s action shows the clear connection between renewable energy and lower electricity costs,” said Dan Burgess, director of the Governor’s Energy Office. “These savings from renewable energy couldn’t come at a better time for Maine people.”

The rate reduction also was lauded by the Acadia Center, which pushes for environmentally friendly energy policies.

“We’re tough on our utilities when their performance fails, but Maine homeowners will appreciate the small dip in their electricity delivery rates next month,” said Jeff Marks, the center’s Maine director.

Marks said new laws to ensure utility accountability and grid planning “will help ensure rate decreases are not an anomaly, especially as more solar and wind come online.”

Despite the short-term savings attributed in part to solar, Maine ratepayers are still expected to see significant future rate increases as more renewable energy projects come online.

State officials have estimated that power delivery rates – which only account for half the bill – could rise by at least 35 percent by 2025 if solar projects totaling 1,667 megawatts of capacity come online as planned.

Nailing down the precise impact on ratepayers isn’t easy because of the complicated formula that underpins Maine’s net energy billing incentive program for solar developers and uncertainty about the number of projects that ultimately will get built.

Read the full article in Portland Press Herald here.

Rhode Island House Members’ Proposed $13.6 Billion Budget Fails to Fund EC4

PROVIDENCE — The agency that is taking the lead on the state’s climate-change response will have to go another year without a budget, after House lawmakers failed to include funding for the Executive Climate Change Coordinating Committee (EC4) in their spending plan.

House members unveiled their version of a $13.6 billion state budget last week.

Gov. Dan McKee’s budget proposal in January suggested “scooping” $6 million annually from state energy-efficiency money to fund the committee, which operates without funding and relies on a single staff member on loan from the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management. While the move from the governor was not popular among local environmental groups, the House did not provide an alternative method of funding the EC4.

“The ratepayers scoop of energy-efficiency funds has been removed, which is a good thing, we advocated for that,” said Hank Webster, Rhode Island director of the Acadia Center. “However, we also advocated for policymakers to find another way to fund the EC4’s activities.”

DEM director and EC4 chairman Terry Gray told ecoRI earlier this year that the greater impact would come from the committee having no operating budget. “From my standpoint as the EC4 chair, we need money to implement the Act on Climate,” he said. “The source of the money can be debated, and where it comes from is I think secondary to the fact that we get some kind of investment in the EC4 to make the work happen.”

Still, the fiscal 2023 budget indicates lawmakers are ready to spend money and resources on environmental management. DEM is slated to receive 16 new full-time positions under the House version of the budget, as opposed to the nine it requested earlier this year. At least six of those new hires would be in the department’s permitting and compliance offices, areas in which staffing for years has been seen by outside observers as insufficient.

The Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC) would receive $150,000 to hire a full-time hearing officer, an attorney, to adjudicate contested decisions by its voting body. McKee had proposed $15,000 for a part-time hearing officer. Hiring a full-time hearing officer was one of the short-term recommendations from a special legislative commission created to study CRMC reorganization.

Lawmakers are also giving $4 million to the Ocean State Climate Adaptation and Resilience (OSCAR) Fund. The fund was created last year by the General Assembly, but at the last minute its funding mechanism — charging a nickel per barrel of oil and petroleum products imported into the state — was stripped from the bill.

“It’s really great news, we’ve been advocating for OSCAR for five years,” said Topher Hamblett, director of advocacy and policy for Save The Bay.

OSCAR awards grants to municipalities to improve climate resiliency by using and improving “natural” features: resizing culverts or restoring floodplains and saltwater marshes, for example. The program is in addition to Municipal Resilience Program grants administered by the Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank.

The House Finance Committee also recommended $25 million from State Fiscal Recovery funds for an electric heat pump incentive program, designed to help low- and moderate-income households buy and install electric heating systems to replace heating oil or natural gas systems. Residential heating accounts for 18.3% of all greenhouse gas emissions in Rhode Island.

Starting in September, the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) will run a one-year pilot program with free bus service on the R-Line, a popular route starting at Broad Street in South Providence and running to the Pawtucket Transit Center on Roosevelt Avenue. RIPTA will be mandated to track ridership data and submit a report to the Legislature by March 2024 for further evaluation of the program. Sen. Meghan Kallman, D-Pawtucket, and Rep. Leonela Felix, D-Pawtucket, had introduced legislation this session to make all RIPTA bus routes free. The bill was held for further study.

The budget is far from final. Lawmakers’ version of the budget is scheduled for a full vote of the House on Thursday afternoon, and legislators may still make changes on the floor.

Read the full article in ecoRI News here.

Increasing Participation for Equitable Outcomes in Climate Decision-making

Climate policies are undeniably strengthened by the inputs of communities most likely to be impacted by such policies. Similarly, exclusion or lack of involvement of communities poised to suffer the detrimental impact of climate change and pollution unequivocally lead to ineffective policies. Communities of color and low-income communities often suffer the repercussions of flawed environmental policies. Hence, for communities to stay resilient in enduring the challenges of a changing climate, it is important to ensure that emerging policies are formed with inputs from the most impacted communities.

Flawed environmental and climate policy decision-making that excluded the voices of vulnerable communities dates back to the 80s. In 1982, residents of Warren County in North Carolina, engaged in a protest to fight against the dumping of 40,000 cubic yards of PCB (polychlorinated biphenyl) contaminated soil in their community. PCB chemicals were banned in the United States in 1979 because they harm human and environmental health but are persistent in air, water, and waste. That early demonstration against environmental racism and injustice was the first of many, exposing the injustice that persists when policies exclude the needs of the most vulnerable groups and communities. Recently, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released its most recent climate assessment to reiterate the impact climate would have on communities (cities and settlements) situated by the sea or ocean. For these ‘frontline communities’, mitigating climate change impacts demand that their voices and lived experiences need to shape the resultant policies for their specific climate solutions.

Maine’s trailblazing effort to engage Vulnerable Communities to Climate Change

Acadia Center championed LD1682 in Maine with the understanding that state agencies should consider climate and equity in their mandates, starting with the Public Utility Commission (PUC).  LD 1682 – An Act to Require Consideration of Climate Impacts by the Public Utilities Commission and To Incorporate Equity Considerations in Decision-making by State Agencies was considered one of the most far-reaching, impactful climate and equity bills in the 130^th Legislature. Parties in PUC cases are already using the law as a basis for stronger PUC actions related to climate change. Environmental and climate justice can help empower Maine’s communities to be healthier and more resilient, and state agencies must support this work.

The passage of LD1682 became the groundwork for the passage of LD2018 – Act to Implement Recommendations Regarding the Incorporation of Equity Considerations in Regulatory Decision Making.  With the implementation of this bill, access to proceedings and the decision-making process would be made possible for environmental justice communities, frontline communities, lower-income communities, and communities of color. More importantly, this bill creates opportunities for supposedly hard-to-reach communities to have access to proceedings that will determine their readiness for climate change. It puts environmental justice and climate action at the center of the state government’s work.

As agencies at all levels of government continue to make strides to undo climate change and ensure a smooth transition to clean energy, it is important to ensure that all communities partake in the policy and decision-making process. A key strategy for equitably tackling climate issues that communities face is continuously improving access to public forums that inform and educate. Including this crucial effort goes beyond providing a balanced perspective in climate policy. It allows communities to have a more productive outcome in effecting change by not reacting but informing the decision-making process.

 

For more information:

Joy Yakie, Environmental Justice Associate, jyakie@acadiacenter.org, 617-742-0054 x110

Jeff Marks, Maine State Director, jmarks@acadiacenter.org, 207.236.6470 ext. 304

 

Acadia Center Releases Its 2021 Annual Report

Today, Acadia Center released its 2021 Annual Report – “Be an Agent of Change” – an interactive microsite that highlights the organization’s 2021 stories of impact and progress and hopes for its future. Acadia Center’s mission is to advance bold, effective, and equitable clean energy solutions for a livable climate and a stronger, more equitable economy. But damaging effects of climate change were unprecedented in 2021. However, also unprecedented was the collective recognition, determination, and willingness to act on climate. This year’s Annual Report outlines Acadia Center’s eagerness to envision bold, systemic solutions, partnered with pragmatic, community-inspired approaches to addressing the climate crisis. 

None of this would be possible without generous individuals and foundations who enthusiastically support Acadia Center’s work. With leadership from our Board of Directors, and our dedicated and passionate staff, we can accelerate the change communities urgently need. Thank you for your unwavering encouragement and partnership. 

Read the full report HERE. 

RGGI 56th Auction and the Consequence for Climate and Clean Energy Transition

BOSTON, MA-  On Friday, the eleven states participating in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) released the results of the 56^th auction. Emissions allowances were sold for $13.90 each, generating $310 million for clean energy investments in participating states. The allowance price established a new record high for the RGGI program, which has now been in operation for over 13 years. The proceeds from sales of allowances in the 56^th auction were the second-highest of all time, lower than only the proceeds from the 54^th auction held in December of 2021. The auction narrowly avoided the release of additional allowances from the Cost Containment Reserve (CCR), with the clearing price ($13.90) falling just one cent under the CCR trigger price ($13.91).

 

Higher RGGI allowance price is good for climate, clean energy investment

The auction clearing price of $13.90 represents a modest 3% increase from the previous auction in March, but a significant 74% increase from the auction price from one year ago. The clearing price represents the price that power plant operators must pay for each ton of CO₂ emitted by their fossil-fuel-fired plants. The recent increase in allowance prices means the RGGI program is sending a stronger incentive to produce electricity from carbon-free sources, like wind and solar. Recent auctions have demonstrated the growing significance of the CCR – the two most recent auctions narrowly avoided the CCR trigger price, while the 54^th auction in December 2021 represented the first time since 2015 that additional allowances were released as a result of triggering the CCR.

The $310 million in proceeds generated from the 56^th auction represent a 5% increase from proceeds generated at the previous auction and a boon for the clean energy economy. Since the program launched, the vast majority of RGGI proceeds have been invested in energy efficiency and clean energy projects as detailed in the recently released report on RGGI investments in 2020. The $310 million in proceeds generated last Friday brings the annual to-date total to $603 million, already 65% of the previous year’s record-setting total proceeds with two more auctions remaining in 2022. Auction proceeds have increased dramatically in recent years. For example, the proceeds in the first half of 2022 alone are 15% higher than the total proceeds generated in all 2018 and 2019 auctions combined.  This is great news for climate action, the economy, and the growing workforce in energy efficiency and clean energy.

RGGI Third Program Review Offers an Opportunity to Direct Proceeds Towards Clean Energy Investments that Directly Benefit Environmental Justice Communities

Since its establishment, RGGI’s priorities have centered around reducing pollution from fossil fuel power plants and achieving climate solutions for RGGI states. Through the sale of CO₂ allowances, the market-based program has continued to produce revenue for participating states to invest in clean and renewable energy programs, energy efficiency programs to save energy, bill assistance, and much more. While states continue to report the benefit that RGGI contributes to meeting their climate goals, it is important to ensure that these proceeds are both spent on climate and clean energy and invested in communities that suffer disproportionately from the negative consequences associated with pollution from fossil fuel power generation.

The Third RGGI Program Review offers a golden opportunity to tailor the program to ensure that environmental justice communities are not left to bear a disproportionate burden and are actively involved in the development of strategies to ensure a smooth, equitable transition to a carbon-free economy. During the program review, it is essential that each RGGI state critically consider equitable investment into communities that face the worst effects of polluting power plants. This ongoing program review provides a chance for states to consider the recent auctions, history of investments across the states, the need to directly address environmental justice communities, and other mechanisms associated with the cap-and-invest program.

Acadia Center remains closely involved in RGGI policy conversations across the RGGI states and will continue to advocate for program reforms that drive equitable investment and climate action.

Media Contacts:

Ben Butterworth, Director Climate, Energy, and Equity Analysis
bbutterworth@acadiacenter.org, 617-742-0054 x111
198 Tremont Street, Suite 415, Boston, MA 02111

Joy Yakie, Environmental Justice Associate
jyakie@acadiacenter.org, 617-742-0054 x110
198 Tremont Street, Suite 415, Boston, MA 02111

Heat Pumps in Real Life

Here at Acadia Center, we’re big proponents of air source heat pumps. As we pointed out in EnergyVision 2030, electrifying heating can take a typical New England home from 6-8 tons of GHGs per year to less than one ton, which is why New England needs to electrify at least 10% of its building stock to be on track for 2030 climate goals. Heat pumps work by moving heat, not generating it – so they can be 3-4x as efficient as other heating or cooling sources. As I said in Wirecutter, “a heat pump is probably the biggest thing that consumers can do to help fight the climate crisis.” But even more important than climate, I have young kids, one with asthma, and our carbon monoxide alarm has gone off 3 times in the 9 months we’ve lived in this house. I’m getting anxious about the idea of burning fossil fuels in my house, particularly after reading studies that highlight the potential health impacts.  

So, in early May, I put my money where my big mouth is and electrified my 1880s, gas-boiler-heated house.  For now, we’re keeping the high efficiency boilers in place in case we need them in the next polar vortex, but I’ve already warned my husband that I’m going to fight hard to avoid turning on the fossil fuel system this winter.  Plus, with heat pumps, we got air conditioning just in time to sleep comfortably and cool during the recent heat wave!  

Here’s what I learned from the experience: 

• Think about what you want beforehand: we don’t have a forced air system (with which you could just drop in a central heat pump) so we went with mini-splits. I knew I wanted to get both heat and air conditioning capacity from the heat pumps, so asked for cold climate heat pumps (to carry us into, and maybe even through, the winter) with a unit in each of our bedrooms and the kitchen for air conditioning capacity. That also let us get rid of the ugly and high energy window units – savings right off the bat. 
• Think about what you are flexible on: I explained what I wanted, and then asked each vendor how best to get there and got proposals in multiple configurations. Do I need units everywhere, or can the living room/dining room/kitchen blob of doors and walls all get heated and cooled from one unit in the kitchen? (Yes, as it turns out) Can we put a smaller one in our family room over the garage because we also have a wood stove there? (Yes, but the price difference isn’t as much as you’d think, so we went with the big one to ensure enough AC).  
• Shop Around: I got quotes from 2 local heat pump specialists and one all things HVAC company, and the bids were different enough that I asked a lot of follow up questions did additional research into the different equipment they recommended, why they suggested it, what assumptions they made, and what “goodies” like wifi enablement came with the system.  I went with LG, which was a bit cheaper than the Mitsubishi hyper heat units. Each vendor also offered different financing options, in addition to the Mass Save HEAT loan, with 0% financing on up to $25,000 of efficiency improvements including heat pumps. 
• Look for incentives: Thanks to MassSave, we got a $10,000 rebate for our whole home system (7 heat pumps in total on 3 compressors). Because I know the MassSave program (I hold a seat on the EEAC), I knew to get my weatherization done first and ask for the right kind of units to ensure that the system I got would qualify for the max incentive. Check out the rebate forms up front to make sure you qualify, too. 
• Book it ASAP: Heat pumps are a hot market. Once you decide what you want and who you’re going to work with, don’t sit on the idea. I was able to get my install scheduled about a month after I made the call, but I’ve heard wait times are increasing. 
• Get ready for disruption… mostly outside: I was surprised that it took a full week of long days to get my system up and running, particularly since all the inside work seemed to be completed on day one. The pipes that carry the coolant to the wall units take a lot of planning and work, throughout the house, basement and garage. Then they’ve got to test the lines to make sure the coolant is working and won’t leak out.  
• Read the manual, ask questions, and learn new tricks: heat pumps have a lot of awesome settings (ionization, energy saving, jet mode, even programmable timers) but it can be complex to figure it out. Plus, the way that you save energy with a heat pump (set it and forget it) is very different than the way you save money with a gas system (though setbacks and catchups). The temperatures you’re used to seeing on the thermostat may also change. I’ve left the unit installed high on the wall in my office set at 76 all week but it’s been a pleasant constant 72 at my desk, in fact almost a little chilly! It silently blows air every now and then (seriously, this thing is QUIET!) and just keeps me cool, no questions asked.     
• Bolt the remotes to the wall: my brilliant installers thought to put my heat pump remotes in brackets next to the light switches. Now we always know where the remote is – even when my husband was the last one to touch it.  Wonder if that trick would work for the TV, too? 

I’m so happy I made the leap. For me, it was an investment in my home and my family’s quality of life, more so than a chance to save on energy bills. But they’ve sure delivered on that – the heat pumps are so quiet and so effective at cooling. I don’t have a great sense of how much power they’re using (almost want to rent a kill a watt meter from the library to figure it out!) but look forward to seeing my electric bill and evaluating the impact they had, compared to last summer’s window units.   

Look out gas stove. You’re next on the chopping block.