Winter 2023 Program Changes & Reminders

Efficiency Vermont Program Updates & Reminders

Heat Pump Program

Changes as of 1/1/2024:

• Green Mountain Power (GMP) will no longer offer their $400/outdoor unit rebate at the counter.
• GMP will no longer have a moderate-income bonus. They are shifting to a larger low-income rebate that the end use customer applies for. Full details on these changes can be found below and on GMP’s webpage.
• These GMP income bonuses are based on when the equipment was purchased, not when it was installed.
• Efficiency Vermont rebates will not change at the start of the year ($350-$450 for ductless units and $1000, $1500 or $2000 for ducted units).

Flood recovery incentive offers for HVAC trade partners

Contractor incentives are now available for flood recovery heat and hot water installations while funds are available.  Efficiency Vermont, in partnership with the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources, offers first-come-first-serve contractor incentives for flood recovery HVAC installations.

Participating contractors enrolled in the Flood Recovery Trade Ally Incentive Program that help households eligible for flood recovery rebates install heating and hot water products can earn a contractor incentive. Contractor incentives have two incentive caps:

• The first cap is up to $1,500 per household, and 
• The second cap is up to $15,000 per participating company

Learn more and request to enroll today. To watch an overview of the Trade Ally Incentive and flood recovery offers, view this recent webinar. Terms and conditions apply. Offer subject to change.

Better Building by Design 2024

BBD 2024 exhibitor and sponsor registration remains open; however, rates increase by $100 beginning January 1st. Registration is on a first-come, first-serve basis, so don’t delay!

General attendee registration is also currently open for this year’s conference to be held on April 3 & 4th, 2024.

From our partners:

GMP Updates:

Energy Storage Opportunity

Are you interested in expanding your business and installing energy storage?

Green Mountain Power would like to hear from you! Please reach out to Maddy Murray-Claussen at GMP to learn how you can be part of this fast-growing sector that is delivering results for customers.

[email protected] or 1-802-595-9941.

Heat Pump Program Changes

GMP recently announced a heat pump rebate increase for income-eligible customers and a decrease for moderate-income customers.

GMP is increasing its extra, post-purchase rebate for income-eligible customers to $2,000 in 2024. It had been $600. This change for ductless mini-spilt CCHPs and centrally ducted air source heat pumps starts on January 1, 2024, and is to help make sure that all Vermonters, regardless of income, can enjoy the benefits of super-efficient heating and cooling with heat pumps. This income-eligible rebate will continue to be for customers with a household income at or below 80% of the area median income (AMI). AMI information is available on the GMP website. 

GMP is proud to have helped grow this clean electric technology market across Vermont over the last several years. Since 2020, GMP incentives spurred the installation of more than 28,000 mini-split systems and 2,700 whole-building heat pumps for GMP customers.

This robust and growing market means that starting in 2024, the $300 downstream/post-purchase adder for moderate-income customers and the $400 midstream rebate per condenser will no longer be offered. Again, these changes are only for ductless mini-spit CCHPs and centrally ducted air source heat pumps – GMP’s other heating and cooling incentives will continue unchanged.

Have questions or want to talk? Contact GMP’s Energy Innovation Team at [email protected], or call 888-835-4672.

VGS Updates:

Looking Ahead: Exploring HVAC Partnership Opportunities with VGS

Are there opportunities to work smarter, not harder? VGS is interested in exploring a range of partnership ideas with HVAC companies.  If interested, please contact Richard Donnelly at [email protected].

Point of Purchase Rebates for High-Efficiency Natural Gas Equipment

Starting 1/1/2024, VGS will be transitioning to a “midstream” incentive program by providing point-of-purchase rebates for qualifying equipment at the distributor (similar to how heat pumps are handled now).

VGS or its partner, Energy Solutions, will be reaching out soon with more details and rebate levels for 2024. These rebates can be combined with federal tax credits for qualifying equipment to bring down the cost for customers to install high-efficiency heating and hot water equipment.

Increased Weatherization Incentives for Low-Income Households

VGS is now offering incentives covering 75% of the project cost (up to $9,500) for comprehensive weatherization projects completed by low-income households served by VGS (defined as 80% of area median income).

If interested in more details or support with income qualification, please contact [email protected].

BED Updates:

BED & VGS continue weatherization rebate partnership

As ductless heat pumps become more common in Burlington, many buildings will be hybrid space heaters (partial electric heat pump and partial natural gas).  BED and VGS recognize that many of these buildings would benefit from professional weatherization upgrades.

BED and VGS have developed a streamlined process to split the customer rebate. Customers will receive the same total rebate amount (based on VGS’s current rebate levels) but may get a check from BED and one from VGS.

Please send any questions to [email protected] or VGS staff can also answer any questions.

BED continues to offer the Weatherization Repayment Assistance Program (WRAP)

With WRAP, a homeowner can make weatherization improvements and then make monthly payments through their monthly BED or VGS bill over a period of up to 15 years.  This is a two-year pilot program funded by the state and overseen by the Vermont Housing Finance Agency (VHFA).

Qualifying weatherization projects can include insulation and air sealing, as well as heat pumps and advanced wood heating systems (when combined with weatherization improvements). The WRAP monthly charge can stay with the home’s account if the dwelling is sold.

If a house is heated mostly with natural gas (VGS), then contact the VGS Team at https://vgsvt.com/climate/energy-evaluation.

If a house is heated mostly with oil, kerosene, propane, wood, pellets, or electricity, then contact the BED Team at [email protected].

Please visit the BED website to see all current rebates

BED has ADDED rebates for Heat or Energy Recovery Ventilators (HRV/ERV).

There are two rebate tiers based on the efficiency rating of the equipment: $750 & $950 (with an additional $300 for income qualified customers)

Please visit the BED website to see all available incentives and send any questions to [email protected].