GMP and Efficiency Vermont Make It Easier for Customers to Switch Away from Fossil Fuel for Heating
New Streamlined Heat Pump Rebate Process for GMP Customers Starts November 1
COLCHESTER, Vt. – Green Mountain Power (GMP) and Efficiency Vermont announced a new streamlined heat pump rebate process for customers that will start November 1 making it easier to switch away from fossil fuel for heating. Through a partnership with Efficiency Vermont, GMP customers who buy heat pumps can still get up to $1,200 in total savings per condenser, with some of that savings applied up front without the need to submit a rebate form after the purchase. And, customers who are low and moderate income will get bonus savings through a single streamlined post-purchase rebate application. Previously, customers had to fill out separate forms, with different criteria, for GMP rebates and Efficiency Vermont rebates.
“We’re so glad to work with Efficiency Vermont on this project for our customers. Thousands of Vermonters have already switched away from fossil fuel for heating through GMP rebates this year, and the new rebate process starting on November 1 will make it even easier for customers to save while reducing their carbon footprint,” said Kristin Carlson, GMP Vice President and Chief Energy Services executive. “Heating with fossil fuels is the second-largest source of carbon pollution in Vermont after driving, and our goal is always to empower customers through our programs to help them cut carbon and costs.”
The process will be simpler for customers because GMP’s current base rebate of $400 per heat pump condenser will become a savings applied by heat pump distributors, eliminating a post-purchase form and documentation step for customers and creating direct upfront savings when people buy.
GMP customers who are low or moderate income will also be able to receive bonus savings through a single form, instead of two separate forms previously required for GMP and Efficiency Vermont rebates. The extra rebate amounts – $300 from GMP for moderate income customers, $600 from GMP for low-income customers and $200 from Efficiency Vermont for both income-eligible groups – will remain the same through this new streamlined process, and customers will receive the bonus savings in one check instead of two.
“We know that reducing the upfront cost of energy efficiency investments is important, but it’s not the only consideration. Making the buying experience as simple as possible is also critical to helping more Vermonters adopt clean, efficient technologies like cold climate heat pumps,” said Carol Weston, Director of Efficiency Vermont. “Green Mountain Power is incredibly customer focused, and we’re excited to partner with them to improve the customer experience of buying a heat pump.”
Heat pumps are increasingly popular with customers for heating and cooling. They are hyper efficient, and rather than heat or cool the air, they pull warmth or coolness from it. And GMP’s energy supply is 100% carbon free. The growing popularity of heat pumps as a clean way to heat and cool your home has been great for local heat pump installers.
Chris Blanchard and her son Stephen Cobb own Bristol Electronics. The company installs and repairs solar systems and heat pumps with its crew of six full-time employees. The business was founded by Chris’s father, David Cobb, and is now in its 49th year of business. Blanchard suggested this change to GMP.
“Heat pumps are a great choice for Vermonters. We’ve been really busy helping people reduce their carbon footprint in both their heating and electricity consumption. We are happy to see this change as it simplifies the rebate process.”
This new streamlined process will apply for heat pump sales on and after November 1. More details about heat pumps and GMP’s rebates are available on GMP’s website, or on Efficiency Vermont’s rebate center at www.efficiencyvermont.com/rebates.
About Efficiency Vermont
As the nation’s first Energy Efficiency Utility, Efficiency Vermont has helped Vermont avoid over 12 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions and has received the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s ENERGY STAR Program for sustained excellence award for the last six consecutive years. Efficiency Vermont works with partners to help our state transition to a more affordable, low carbon energy future through education, incentives, and support for our clean energy workforce. For more information, contact Efficiency Vermont at (888) 921-5990 or visit www.efficiencyvermont.com.
About Green Mountain Power
Green Mountain Power (GMP) serves approximately 266,000 residential and business customers in Vermont and is partnering with them to improve lives and transform communities. GMP is focused on a new way of doing business to meet the needs of customers with integrated energy services that help people use less energy and save money, while continuing to generate clean, cost-effective and reliable power in Vermont. GMP is the first utility in the world to get a B Corp certification, meeting rigorous social, environmental, accountability and transparency standards and committing to use business as a force for good. GMP earned a spot on Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies in the World list four years in a row (2017, 2018, 2019, 2020). In 2021, the Smart Electric Power Alliance (SEPA) honored GMP as a nationwide leader in energy transformation, and in 2019 GMP earned the Deane C. Davis Outstanding Vermont Business of the Year Award from the Vermont Chamber of Commerce and Vermont Business Magazine.
Kristin Kelly, Green Mountain Power
(802) 318-0872
[email protected]
Green Mountain Power is incredibly customer focused, and we’re excited to partner with them to improve the customer experience of buying a heat pump.
Carol Weston, Director of Efficiency Vermont
