DelBene Highlights Eastside Heat Pump Program, Lowering Energy Bills for Residents

Today, Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) toured a residential facility participating in the Energy Smart Eastside program to see firsthand the impact of federally and state-subsidized heat pumps on local families and highlight how others can take advantage of these savings.

Heat pumps offer an energy-efficient alternative to traditional heating and cooling systems. Installed in numerous Eastside homes, these systems run on electricity rather than fossil fuels, saving families up to $650 annually on energy bills and significantly reducing carbon emissions.

DelBene supported provisions in the Inflation Reduction Act that provide a federal tax credit of up to 30 percent of the cost of the device, up to $2,000 per year. The law also provides funding to states to administer a rebate of up to $8,000 for heat pumps for low- and moderate-income households. Rebates will be rolling out in Washington in early 2025. Energy Smart Eastside offers an additional $6,000 rebate for moderate-income households switching from natural gas to heat pumps.

"Heat pumps are a game-changer for households and businesses, cutting down on energy bills and lowering carbon emissions. However, upfront costs can be a hurdle for some, which is why federal and state subsidies are critical to making these systems more affordable," said DelBene. "Programs like this are all about accelerating our transition to electrification, helping families save money and creating a cleaner environment."

Energy Smart Eastside is an initiative of the Cities of Bellevue, Issaquah, Kirkland, Mercer Island, Redmond, and Sammamish. So far, this program has installed 325 heat pumps and plans to support hundreds more households in the coming years. The program offers full coverage for low-income households and organizations, while also providing rebates for moderate-income homes that combine with utility incentives.

"Energy Smart Eastside's innovative collaboration between six Eastside cities, Puget Sound Energy, and community partners is helping more homes be energy efficient by expanding access to heat pumps and weatherization resources. We know that about half of the homeowners on the Eastside are going to need some level of financial support to make the switch," said Bellevue Mayor Lynne Robinson, speaking on behalf of Energy Smart Eastside. "That's why our Boost program, which helps low-income homeowners install heat pumps, and our programs with affordable housing providers are so important."

More information about the Inflation Reduction Act's energy savings can be found here and more information about the Energy Smart Eastside program can be found here.