BANGOR DAILY NEWS • September 18, 2024
The U.S. Department of Energy has allocated Maine $72 million to fund energy upgrades on residential buildings, including $36 million to fund a heat pump rebate program. The hope is that the heat pump program will support electrification measures, including installing heat pumps in Maine homes, that are intended to reduce air pollution and cut energy bills for homeowners who are already staring down mounting costs. “Maine is one of the most heating oil dependent states in the country, 56 percent of our homes are heated with oil, and it’s hugely expensive,” Gov. Janet Mills said. “[Heat pumps] are not just efficient in helping us save the planet, they’re saving people money.”