ELECTRIFY ARLINGTON
The Town of Arlington has partnered with Abode to help residents transition to clean heating technologies.
ELECTRIFY ARLINGTON
Electrify Arlington is working with Abode to train community volunteers to support residents who want to install air source heat pumps and solar hot water systems. These technologies can help save residents money on utility bills and help Arlington meet its goal of achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Explore the resources below to learn more about these technologies, their benefits, and available incentives!
Clean Heating Technologies
Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHP)
Air source heat pumps (often referred to as ductless mini-splits) are a clean technology you can use to both heat and cool your home. There are a number of economic, environmental and health benefits associated with installing air source heat pumps.
Heat Pump Water Heaters
A heat pump water heater is powered by electricity to heat water for use with faucets, showers, and appliances. The heat pump unit pulls in air from the surrounding space, extracting heat from the air and using the refrigerant cycle to heat the water.
Solar Thermal Systems
Solar thermal, also known as solar hot water, similarly collects solar energy using roof-mounted panels or tubes, but rather than converting that energy into electricity as with solar PV systems, solar thermal systems store the energy in water, heating it.
Why Clean Heating & Cooling?
Environmentally Friendly
Heat pumps powered by the MA electric grid often reduce heating-related greenhouse gas emissions by 50% or more — and will reduce emissions even more as the grid becomes greener. You can also sign up for 100% renewable electricity through Arlington Community Electricity.
Economic Benefits
Massachusetts leads the nation in energy efficiency, which includes making these systems more cost effective to run and ensuring the installation is comparable to traditional systems.
Health & Wellness
Whether carbon monoxide in our home, or carbon dioxide in our atmosphere, the writing is on the wall– a world without burning fossil fuels is where we must go.
Comfort
A properly sized cold-climate air source heat pump keeps your home warm in the winter and cool and dry in the summer. It keeps you cozy and your house healthy!
Incentives for Clean Heating & Cooling
Mass Save HEAT Loan
If you’re installing a heat pump or solar hot water system, you may be eligible for a 0% interest HEAT Loan from Mass Save. You can finance up to $50,000 over the course of 7 years for home energy efficiency upgrades if your project includes a heat pump. Although fuel prices fluctuate, energy savings may help cover the monthly loan payments, especially if you currently heat with oil, propane, or electric resistance. Find out more about Mass Save’s HEAT Loan program.
Rebates & Tax Credits
Massachusetts leads the nation in energy efficiency and has many incentives and rebates available to help make clean heating technologies affordable. Learn more about rebates available from Mass Save, or through the MassCEC. Mass Save heat pump rebates have increased starting in 2022, and eligible air source heat pump equipment could qualify for a rebate of up to $10,000 (or $16,000 if Income Qualified). Learn more about Mass Save heat pump rebates.
HOME ENERGY ASSESSMENTS
Homes are complex systems consisting of physical features and mechanical equipment. To help think about your home holistically, we encourage you to schedule a no-cost home energy assessment. Your energy specialist will evaluate your home’s insulation levels and provide you with recommendations for incentivized upgrades. These upgrades can have a substantial impact on the selection and performance of your heating and cooling system, reducing your carbon footprint and energy bills.
HEAT PUMP CONSULTATIONS
“I’d like more in-depth help with my heat pump project.”
Work with a trained Electrify Arlington Volunteer Coach to discuss your clean energy goals and how to achieve them.
PARTICIPATING CONTRACTOR LIST
VIDEO RESOURCES
Here are some helpful videos to get you started.
Marc Breslow
Marc Breslow has been working on climate change for more than two decades, motivated by the worldwide crises it is increasingly causing. He is currently focused on cutting emissions through the electrification of homes, via being a coach for people in Arlington who wish to install heat pumps and convert from fossil fuels. He is also part of the town’s Clean Energy Future Committee. Marc began his work by organizing Sustainable Arlington in 1999 and in 2000 he founded Mass. Climate Action Network. Later Breslow worked for the state government and was in charge of developing greenhouse gas reduction policies for transportation and buildings. Most recently he worked for Climate Xchange, developing and advocating for carbon pollution pricing policies.
Brian Cali
Brian and his wife have been Arlington residents for the last 24 years, and are proud parents of three daughters who attended the Arlington Public School system. After a 21 year career as a biotechnology company founder, Brian has focused much of his professional and personal energy in the last several years on helping facilitate a rapid and equitable clean energy transition. As of 2021, his family completed their multi-year journey to fully electrify their 1911 Dutch Colonial, which includes experience with solar panels and electric vehicles. Brian has been a coach for the Electrify Arlington program since its inception, helped teach an Arlington Continuing Education class on heat pump awareness, and is a graduate of Yestermorrow’s Building Science and Net Zero Design certificate program. He co-created a program to engage intergenerational small groups in conversations about climate anxiety, with the explicit intent to help move participants from anxiety to action and empowerment. Brian also serves on the Energy Board for the town of Reading, Vermont, where he is actively engaged in weatherization and renewable energy projects for the town. He also blogs about his ongoing project to retrofit/remodel an historic 1782 Cape in Vermont to be net zero and fully electrified. Brian loves being an Electrify Arlington coach, and is excited to learn more about your electrification project and provide whatever assistance he can to help you meet your goals!
Lori Kenschaft
Lori Kenschaft has been an Arlington resident for more than twenty years and concerned about climate issues for longer than that. She enjoys learning and explaining things, and she has many years of experience in organizing programs and teaching adults. In addition to being one of Electrify Arlington’s volunteer heat pump coaches, she handles the day-to-day logistics and intake process for this program, answers questions by email when possible, and offers Zoom and in-person programs related to learning about heat pumps and creating a plan to electrify one’s home.
Lori installed heat pumps in part of her home in 2012 and the rest of her home in 2019. In both cases she would do things differently if she knew then what she knows now, so she understands personally how important it is to learn from other people’s experiences. As an Electrify Arlington volunteer, she takes great satisfaction in both helping individuals and helping our climate at the same time.