The state will lower electricity rates for heat pump owners this winter, and is considering even deeper cuts to encourage residents to ditch fossil-fueled heating.
Massachusetts regulators are considering a plan to make heat pumps an obvious financial choice for most residents.
The state Department of Public Utilities is mulling a proposal to heavily discount electricity rates in the winter months for households with heat pumps, a move that could cut energy bills for more than 80% of residents who switch over to the efficient, electric appliance from fossil-fueled or electric resistance heating. For many of those households, the savings would amount to hundreds or even thousands of dollars each winter.
Massachusetts utilities already plan to lower prices for heat pump users starting this winter, but the proposal under consideration would mandate even deeper discounts in future years. The new rates could accelerate the adoption of heat pumps in Massachusetts and boost progress toward the state’s climate goals, proponents say…