City of Olympia kicks off campaign to switch homes from gas to electric heat sources

In an effort to reduce the city’s carbon footprint, Olympia’s climate program manager is launching a pilot program aimed at getting homeowners to switch from gas and wood-burning heat sources to fully electric.

Pamela Braff officially launched the program, called Energize Olympia, during Tuesday’s city council meeting. The city started a partnership with South Puget Sound Habitat for Humanity and Spark Northwest to do a group purchase of ductless heat pumps. Braff said the systems are common in refrigerators, on a smaller scale.

Braff described the systems as boxes that offer energy-efficient heating and cooling. Compared to other air conditioning and heating systems, heat pumps reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, while providing heat in the winter and cool air in the summer.

According to the city’s Energize Olympia website, the program is the first step in helping the climate department address the impacts of the city’s existing housing stock, as well as ensure future homes are more climate friendly.

According to the website, ductless systems such as heat pumps can save 25% to 50% in heating costs over traditional systems. An average single-family home with a ductless heat pump could save about $315 a year.

But the systems aren’t cheap to buy and install. According to the website, it typically costs anywhere between $15,000 and $20,000, and it could be more, depending on the home. Braff said the city has a few plans to help reduce those costs.

Braff said installation can be fully covered for some who qualify based on their low income. Those installations are being covered by Community Development Block Grant funds and a grant from the Community Energy Efficiency program.

There also will be installation discounts for market-rate participants. Braff said the installation company they partner with will offer a group purchase discount, but she’s not sure of the details yet.

The city is also offering an $800 time-of-sale discount for the first 50 people. Those who get involved with the program will also be connected to financial resources and other incentives.

Council member Jim Cooper said the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency in Seattle has a grant program that incentivizes people to swap out their wood-burning stoves for more environmentally friendly sources. Braff said that and many other incentive programs will be talked about at community workshops that will start in May.

One downside of heat pumps is that they work less efficiently in extremely cold weather. But the technology used in heat pumps has improved in the past few decades and can perform at 100% efficiency down to freezing temperatures.

Those who are interested in getting involved in the program can visit the city’s website at olympiawa.gov/energize.