Energize Thurston, a countywide group purchase program, is offering a series of free workshops to help residents interested in cutting energy bills and lowering household emissions through the use of energy-efficient heat pump technology.
Dominic Jones, Olympia's Building Decarbonization Program Manager, talked about the program at the Olympia City Council meeting on Tuesday, April 8.
He said Olympia is spearheading a partnership with Thurston County, Tumwater, Lacey, Tenino and South Puget Sound Habitat for Humanity to offer discounted and subsidized installations of energy-efficient heat pumps across the county.
"The Climate Program is proud to announce that we have launched the Energize Thurston heat pump and heat pump water heater program," Jones said.
Jones also announced that Energize Thurston included a heat pump water heater in its program. These water heaters are up to three times more efficient than standard electric models and address the second-largest energy consumption in most homes, after heating and cooling.
The initiative builds on the success of previous Energize Olympia programs, which helped 172 local households install discounted heat pumps.
According to Jones, those installations are expected to eliminate the equivalent of an estimated 1,953.72 metric tons of carbon dioxide over 15 years. He addedthat the amount is roughly equivalent to eliminating the emissions from 456 gas-powered vehicles over a one-year period.
Energize Thurston offers exclusive discounts on heat pumps and heat pump water heaters, vetted contractors, and streamlined connections to local, state and federal incentives. Participating households can save up to $5,000 on equipment and installation costs.
Through partnership support and grants awards, the Energize Thurston can also provide a limited number of free heat pump and water heater installations for low- and moderate-income households who participate in the program.
To qualify, Thurston County residents must attend a free workshop — either in-person or online. The sessions provide crucial information about heat pump benefits, available incentives, and program discounts.
An on-demand workshop is available at energizethurston.org through May. The first workshop was held on April 9 at the Yelm Timberland Library.
Other schedules:
April 22 – Lacey Timberland Library, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
May 6 – Tenino Timberland Library, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
May 27 – Olympia Timberland Library, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Residents only need to attend one workshop to become eligible. Applications for the program will close on May 31.
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