Category: financing

High Heat Pump Price Tag? AHS Assistance is Here!

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A man standing next to a daikin heat pump, giving a thumbs up and holding an Alaska Carbon Reduction Fund sign.

Do you live in southern coastal Alaska? Have you been dreaming of cutting your heating bills  with a heat pump? If so, keep reading to learn about two programs that can help you finance heat pump equipment and cover installation costs. 

In order to encourage residential heat pump adoption, Alaska Heat Smart (AHS) and Southeast Conference (SEC) are offering the Accelerating Clean Energy Savings (ACES) heat pump incentive program. ACES, a 5-year, $39M program, funded by the Environmental Protection Agency, is available to homeowners and renters in coastal communities from Metlakatla to Kodiak. ACES has a goal of installing 6,000 heat pumps, has no income cap, and offers reimbursement incentives of $4,000, $6,000, and $8,500 to qualifying fossil fuel or wood-heated homes. ACES has facilitated 64 heat pump installations to date with many more in progress! You can learn more about the ACES program here and find a list of eligible communities here.

In order to further support residential heat pump installation, AHS and SEC have partnered with True North Federal Credit Union (TNFCU) to offer low interest heat pump loans to homeowners and renters located within the ACES program region. Applicants can qualify for a loan up to $20,000 with interest rates as low as 4%. In a nutshell, the interest paid on this loan will likely be less than the heating bill savings realized by utilizing the loan for the purchase and installation of a heat pump. This unique loan program can help homeowners begin saving money as soon as their heat pump has been installed! 

One of the requirements for both the ACES program and the TNFCU heat pump loan is a ‘Home Energy Assessment’ from AHS. The AHS Home Energy Assessment Program offers in-person and virtual assessments to provide informative home energy consultations  for a deeper understanding of a home and its energy needs. After an assessment is complete, homeowners are provided with a detailed report that outlines options about which heat pump will work best, estimated installation costs, estimated annual savings, as well as answers to other energy questions. 

The combination of these two programs can help make the upfront costs of heat pump installations less daunting, allowing you to quickly see significant annual heating cost savings. Cut your energy costs and help us reach our goal of 6,000 heat pump installations in coastal Alaskan communities by applying to the ACES program today! 

Logos of Alaska Heat Smart, Southeast Conference, and True North Federal Credit Union displayed together.

This project has been funded wholly or in part by the United States Environmental Protection Agency under assistance agreement #84101201 to Southeast Conference (SEC). The contents of this document do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Environmental Protection Agency, nor does the EPA endorse trade names or recommend the use of commercial products mentioned in this document.

Claim Your $2,000 Tax Credit!

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Yay! It’s tax time!

You may be eligible for deductions to your 2023 federal tax bill! The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) was signed into law by the Biden Administration in August of 2022. The IRA provides you with tax credits, direct reductions of your tax liability or the amount your 1040 tells you that you owe the IRS, for installing various energy efficiency upgrades to your primary residence. Did you install a cold climate heat pump in your home in 2023? For an air source heat pump installed this past year, the credit is as high as $2,000, or 30% of the total cost of the heat pump and its installation. Nearly everyone who installs a heat pump will get the full $2000 credit as the cost of an average heat pump and wiring stands around $7,500. 

The IRA tax credits fall under the name ‘Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit (25C)’ and may include other improvements that might have been part of your upgrade list. For example, did your heat pump installation require a new electrical panel or sub-panel with new 200 amp service? You can receive 30% of these costs as well, including labor, for up to $600 in additional credit. Wiring of the heat pump is not eligible. Did you install any exterior doors, windows, or maybe insulation? The purchase cost of these upgrades are all on the credit list! For full tax credit details, take a look at our IRA FAQ page. Credits can add up to an additional $1,200 on top of the heat pump tax credit, maxing out in 2023 at $3,200.

To claim your credits, fill out form 5695, Residential Energy Credits. Your cold climate heat pump get listed on line 22a. Find the form instructions here. The credits are applicable for the year the improvements were made, not the year when the expenses were paid. 

These tax credits you’ve hopefully heard of are different from the IRA rebates that are starting to be talked about. IRA tax credits lower your total tax owed (if you owe any to begin with) and IRA rebates in part will lower the up-front prices of energy improvements. IRA rebates are not yet available and may not be available until later this year. Alaska Heat Smart will have more detailed information on IRA rebates in an upcoming post. Call us for me information at 907.500.5050.

Looking for other financial assistance to help you with the addition of a heat pump, help you save money, enjoy a warmer and drier house, and move beyond oil? Check out our diverse Financial Assistance Programs. Alaska Heat Smart staff do not claim in any way to be tax experts. We strongly encourage you to consult your tax professional for any questions or concerns that you may have with filing your 1040.

Top Down Support for Heat Pump Production

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Biden-Harris Administration Announces $169 Million to Accelerate Electric Heat Pump Manufacturing as Part of Investing in America Agenda

https://www.energy.gov/articles/biden-harris-administration-announces-169-million-accelerate-electric-heat-pump

“Getting more American-made electric heat pumps on the market will help families and businesses save money with efficient heating and cooling technology,” said U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm. “Thanks to President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, these investments will create thousands of high-quality, good-paying manufacturing jobs and strengthen America’s energy supply chain, while creating healthier indoor spaces through home-grown clean energy technologies.”

“Today’s Defense Production Act funds for heat pump manufacturing show that President Biden is treating climate change as the crisis it is,” said John Podesta, Senior Advisor to the President for Clean Energy Innovation and Implementation. “These awards will grow domestic manufacturing, create good-paying jobs, and boost American competitiveness in industries of the future.”

Heat pumps are critical to reducing the nation’s reliance on fossil fuels, bolstering national security, and boosting energy independence to strengthen national defense, lowering consumer energy costs, improving energy efficiency, and mitigating the climate crisis.  This portfolio of selections will boost manufacturing of electric heat pump (air-to-air, geothermal, and air-to-water) and key components (compressors and refrigerants) This portfolio will lead to manufacturing in 13 states.

100 Women Who Care to Fund New Alaska Heat Smart ‘HELP’ Program!

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AHS is proud to announce that the Juneau 100 Women Who Care has chosen Alaska Heat Smart during its second philanthropic offering of 2023! The many caring women involved have raised more than $30,000 for Alaska Heat Smart and the foundation of a new, quick and nimble, Heating Emergency Lower-Income Program, or HELP. 

Since its first Juneau ‘giving event’ in early 2020, the Juneau 100 Women Who Care organization has raised nearly $400,000 for local nonprofit causes. The group has grown from roughly 100 women to nearly 350 members so each quarter’s offering to the chosen nonprofit can be quite substantial. Previous recipients of the generosity of Juneau’s 100 Women Who Care include the United Human Services of Alaska, Juneau Animal Rescue, The Glory Hall, and Renewable Juneau’s Carbon Offset Fund. 

Alaska Heat Smart board members and two friendly dogs join leaders from Juneau’s 100 Women Who Care to celebrate!

Current heating assistance programs offered by AHS are federally-funded and subject to income verification, home surveys, environmental reviews, historic preservation office constraints, and more. In short, while the end result of these programs is warm, dry, efficient, and economical homes, months can pass from the time of a homeowner’s application to the completion of work.

If a family’s heating system is failing or fails, especially during winter months, there is little time to act. Both the family’s health and that of the home are potentially at risk. Our HELP program will move the family in need to the top of the AHS project lists. Staff will work with the family to verify that gross household income is below 80% median area income. Pre-established arrangements with local contractors will allow for quick deployment of services. AHS and contractor staff will assess the home’s needs, form a work plan, order equipment if needed, and proceed with heating system improvements. If necessary, interim measures will be taken to provide temporary heat while parts are acquired and work performed. 

Please help us spread the word to Juneau families who may be able to benefit from this new assistance program. Winter has just ended, but we all know that the next cold and snowy season is not all that far off. Awareness of this new and valuable program will help to ensure its success.

More information will be available soon! For questions, contact AK Heat Smart at 907-500-5050.

Save money with incentives for home heating and efficiency!

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The Juneau Empire covers Alaska Heat Smart’s most popular money-saving home heating programs!

Heat Smart heat pump program story in Juneau Empire

In short, there really has never been a better time to add a heat pump to your home. Alaska Heat Smart can connect you to low-interest traditional financing, provide a financial incentive of up to $3,000 towards your heat pump purchase, or offer up to $15,000 in funds to improve your home’s heating, air sealing, and safety. Alaska Heat Smart can guide you along your pathway to clean and affordable renewable energy heating with a free home heat pump assessment.

How the Inflation Reduction Act Can Save You Money

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A Consumer’s Guide – The New York Times

Alaska Heat Smart is finding many IRA articles out there in internet land. When we stumble upon a good one, we’ll share it with you. This summary of the IRA’s diverse credits and rebates in the New York Times is easily digested and is clear and concise. There should be no paywall for this article. If you come upon one in using the link below, copy and paste the headline into a new browser window.

Many American consumers are now eligible to save thousands of dollars when they buy an electric car, heat pump, solar panels or energy-efficient appliances.

How the Inflation Reduction Act Can Save You Money: A Consumer’s Guide – The New York Times

Also, be sure to visit Alaska Heat Smart’s FAQ page on the Inflation Reduction Act where we regularly update the most pressing questions and answers that have come our way over the past month or two.

Your Electric Bank Account!

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The Inflation Reduction Act is live!

Tax credits available under the August 2022 Inflation Reduction Act are now yours! There are no income limits to block the availability of these credits. If you incur tax liability in 2023, you may be eligible for some of these fantastic financial catalysts for energy efficiency action. And, these credits are not limited to just 2023! Unless something changes at a congressional level, these credits reset every year until 2032. This means that a bit of project planning will be to your benefit. By organizing your energy efficiency home improvement projects, you may be able to take $1,200 in tax credits for a number of years. You cannot carry over any unused credit but you can stagger your expenditures to enable the credits over multiple years.

The Inflation Reduction Act tax credits are like having your own ‘electric bank account’!

Rewiring America

For example, you could upgrade your electrical panel this year to allow for the addition of a heat pump, grabbing the $600 panel credit and the 30% of cost (up to $2,000) heat pump credit. (Note: the 30 percent tax credit up to $600 for an electrical panel upgrade is only an option if the panel upgraded in conjunction with another upgrade, like a heat pump.) Next year, a bit of air sealing and insulation work will allow another $1,200 in tax credit. Maybe the following year you upgrade a door and a couple of windows, netting yet another $1,200 in credit. By working with the annual cap of $1,200, this credit can be applied to numerous cost-saving improvements, saving you thousands of dollars and lowering annual energy costs

Here are some great resources to get you thinking about your home improvements, energy efficiency, and IRA tax credits:

OUR FAVORITE! https://www.rewiringamerica.org/app/ira-calculator

Alaska Heat Smart’s IRA FAQ page

DOE: Making Our Homes More Efficient: Clean Energy Tax Credits for Consumers

https://www.rewiringamerica.org/

https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/frequently-asked-questions-about-energy-efficient-home-improvements-and-residential-clean-energy-property-credits-qualifying-residence

https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-solutions/2022/12/29/climate-tax-credits-clean-energy/

Upfront Discounts and Energy Efficiency Rebates

These very generous financial incentives will not be available until later into 2023 or even sometime in 2024. These upfront cost discounts differ from tax credits in that your gross household may not exceed designated income caps. While we have not yet seen these final income caps, we assume that they will be similar to those that apply to the Alaska Heat Smart Clean Heat Incentive Program, though the upper limit of the IRA rebates will be a bit more generous.

Alaska Heat Smart is increasingly asked whether or not a homeowner should hold off on a heat pump installation or weatherization upgrades, and choose to hold out for the IRA rebates. This is a personal decision and there are many factors that come into play. How long do you want to wait to start your savings? How imminent is your boiler or furnace failure? Can you go another winter with the systems you currently have? Should you act now and combine existing benefit programs, taking advantage of the rebates one they become available?

If in doubt, be sure to take a look at our existing programs. It is possible to mix and match some of these, allowing you to act now. The combination of a heat pump incentive, a tax credit, and even a low interest heat pump loan can you have you saving in no time.

Heat Pump Loan Cap Raised!

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2022 may just be Juneau’s ‘Year of the Heat Pump’! It seems that everybody’s doing it. The word is out that heat pumps will save you money, heat your home nearly all year long, provide air conditioning, keep your home heating local, eliminate oil hazards, and shrink your carbon footprint in one of the most impactful ways possible.

Demand for both heat pumps and the contractors to install them is at an all-time high! If you are ready to move on a heat pump, yet you’re finding that cash flow is an issue, our Heat Smart – True North FCU (TNFCU) heat pump loan may just be the solution for you. The hurdle of high up front initial costs is a common stumbling block for many and this loan is one of our tools that can help you make the leap.

In response to local demand for heat pumps atop a surge in interest to move away from fossil fuel heating, Alaska Heat Smart has been busy creating new programs to make it easier for ALL Juneau residents to benefit from heat pumps’ money-saving and climate-friendly benefits. Following on the heels of our wildly popular free home heat pump assessment program, we are making headway on the development of our lower income Healthy Homes program and our modest income Home Heat Pump Incentive Program.

Our traditional loan program has been up and running for more than a year now. We’ve often been asked if the loan cap could be raised from it’s starting cap of $7,500. Complex or multi-head heat pump systems are often quoted from $8,500 to close to $30,000. Alaska Heat Smart is happy to announce a new loan cap of $12,500! If you have good credit and a solid debt to income ratio, this loan could be yours.

If granted $12,500 at 4%, the lowest rate offered on this loan by TNFCU, you’ll free up cash flow and start saving money immediately!

Interest payments over 5 years for a $12,500 heat pump loan at 4% interest would average just under $22 per month! With the average Juneau heat pump installation saving a homeowner over $1,200 annually, despite paying interest, there would still be a $78 average monthly savings over the course of a year!

And, if you need a smaller loan, interest payments will be even lower and your savings that much higher!

Learn more about our home heat pump loan today!