(AUGUSTA) – Since July 1, 2013, a record number of Maine homeowners have installed high-efficiency heat pump water heaters using Efficiency Maine rebates. Nearly 1,500 homeowners have purchased heat pump water heaters through the rebate program compared to 281 prior to July 1.
Andy Meyer, Program Manager at Efficiency Maine, attributes interest in the new technology to a sizable potential savings compared to electric resistance water heaters – up to $3,000 over the lifetime of the unit – and a $300 mail-in rebate from Efficiency Maine.
“The $300 rebates, along with a potential $3,000 in energy savings, are clearly making heat pump water heaters popular sellers,” Meyer says. “What’s even better is that Maine customers are loving them after they’re installed,” Meyer says. “Out of 102 rebate recipients who responded to a recent survey by Efficiency Maine, 80 percent ranked their satisfaction a 9 or 10 out of 10, and 100 percent ranked them favorably overall.”
Heat pump water heaters typically cost half as much to operate as traditional electric resistance water heaters. They can also save a homeowner as much as $250 a year. Meyer encourages homeowners to take advantage of current Efficiency Maine rebates while they last.
Homeowners can find detailed information on the Efficiency Maine website. Also online are a downloadable $300 rebate form, installer locator, technology overview, retailer locator, and calculator to help homeowners compare water-heating options.
Efficiency Maine lowers the cost and environmental impacts of energy in Maine by promoting energy efficiency and alternative energy systems. Efficiency Maine delivers information, technical assistance, quality assurance and cost-sharing to help businesses and consumers save electricity, natural gas and heating fuels. For more information, visit www.efficiencymaine.com or call 1-866-376-2463.
