Energize Thurston FAQs

Income eligibility is based on adjusted gross income from your 2024 tax return, or alternative documents such as social security benefits statements if necessary.

Subsidized installations, and the 10% group purchase discount, are only available to Energize Thurston participants. If you are not an Energize Thurston participant, you may still qualify for rebates administered by other parties such as Puget Sound Energy and the Olympic Regional Clean Air Agency, as well as federal tax credits.

Please reach out to Amanda Schuyler at amanda@spshabitat.org for any specific income qualification questions.

No, income verification will be done by South Puget Sound Habitat for Humanity after they have received your program application.

Households must be owner-occupied to qualify for subsidized installations. Owner-occupied and rental units are eligible for self-funded installations.

New construction projects are eligible for the self-funded program pathway, which provides a group purchase discount of 10% up to $1,200. New construction projects are not eligible for subsidized installations.

We have negotiated bulk discount prices with each Energize Thurston installation partner for specific equipment brands and models. Because this is a group purchase program, we’re only able to provide the group purchase discount for the specific equipment that has been negotiated.

Yes, you must submit one application for each household. Please note that households must be owner-occupied to qualify for subsidized installations.

Yes, both program pathways have the same application form. Please specify whether you are interested in a subsidized installation or the self-funded program pathway.

You will be assigned a program installer after you submit your Energize Thurston application. Program installers are offering comparable equipment and pricing to all Energize Thurston participants. Please email energize@co.thurston.wa.us if you are interested in requesting a site assessment from a different program installer.

No, you must use a selected program installer to qualify for Energize Thurston’s program-exclusive incentives such as subsidized equipment and installations, the group purchase discount, and other rebates.

Yes, site assessments are provided free by the program installers, and you are not required to sign a contract just because you’ve received a site visit.

The exact discount amount will vary depending on the size and cost of the heat pump equipment best suited for your home, as well as eligibility for incentives not administered by the program such as local utility rebates.

For self-funded installations, staff will provide your information to your assigned program installer, who will contact you within 3 business days to schedule a site assessment.

For subsidized installations, Habitat for Humanity will contact you to verify income eligibility before providing your information to your assigned program installer. After confirming your income, you will be contacted within 5 business days to schedule a site assessment. Please note that for subsidized installations, there may be a waitlist depending on funding availability.

The application deadline for subsidized installations Energize Thurston is 5/9/2025. The application deadline for self-funded participants is currently 5/31/2025.

New heat pump systems are much quieter than older unitary heat pump systems. Indoor units are rated as low as 19 decibels, and outdoor units are rated as low as 46 decibels.

Ductless and ducted heat pumps require regular maintenance to ensure optimum performance such as keeping filters and coils clean. This work can be done by the homeowner, but it’s recommended that your heat pump is cleaned by a professional every 1-2 years to maximize functionality. Each installer offers optional service packages for an additional cost.

Yes, inspections and permits are required for heat pump installations through the Energize Thurston program. The permit costs will already be included in your costs with the program-approved installers.

Yes, your program installer will need to run electrical power to the location of your heat pump, and a disconnect at the outdoor unit. This work will be done by licensed electricians, and your program installers will need clear access to your electrical panel during the installation.

Subsidized installations are required to remove existing gas or propane heat where technically and economically feasible. Removing existing natural gas or propane heat for self-funded installations is recommended but not required. Electric backup heat may remain, but you should use your heat pump as the primary source of heating and cooling.

It is a common misconception that a gas furnace can provide heat without electricity. Electricity is required to keep the furnace fan running and execute several other necessary functions. Most gas furnaces will not function during an electrical outage.

A ductless system consists of an outdoor unit, an indoor head, and a remote control for easy temperature control. Connecting the outdoor unit to the indoor head requires only a three-inch hole in the wall for installation, eliminating the need for expensive and invasive ductwork. A ductless installation is hassle-free and can be completed in less than one day.

A ducted system consists of an outdoor unit, an indoor air handler, and a thermostat for easy temperature control. Ductwork may need to be completed to ensure the heat pump is compatible with your central system. An installer will be able to provide additional information on what to expect for your home’s heat pump installation process.

Heat pumps are highly efficient heating and cooling systems that move heat from one place to another. If you have a refrigerator or air conditioner, you already have heat pump technology in your home! Heat pumps are powered by electricity and come in mainly two varieties: ductless (aka mini-split) and ducted (aka central, forced-air) systems.

All heat pumps consist of several parts, including: an outdoor unit that contains a condensing coil, an inverter driven variable speed compressor, an expansion valve and a fan to cool the condenser coil. An indoor unit  contains an evaporator and a quiet oscillating fan to distribute air. Indoor units, called “heads,” can blow both hot and cool air. A refrigerant line-set that is made of insulated copper tubing and is housed in a conduit alongside a power cable, and a condensation drain.

Program installers have heat pumps you can visit in-person to understand the size, and noise levels of the equipment.

Sunset Air Showroom: 5210 Lacey Boulevard, SE, Lacey,WA 98503

Alpine Ductless Office: 8036 River Dr SE Tumwater, WA 98501

Johnstone Supply: 9045 Orion Drive NE, Suites C, D, E Lacey, WA 98516

It is a common misconception that heat pumps cannot perform at lower temperatures. Yes, there is a threshold for a heat pump’s efficiency, but the technology has massively improved in the past few decades. As long as your house is properly air-sealed and insulated, a cold climate heat pump can perform at 100% efficiency down to temperatures of 5 degrees Fahrenheit. It will continue to work at lower temperatures, but at slightly decreased efficiency. Heat pumps are now a widespread heating and cooling solution, including in very cold states like Minnesota and Maine.

Ductless systems are up to three times more efficient than baseboard, wall heat, and electric furnaces. Ducted systems have variable efficiency depending on the quality and efficiency of your current duct system.

Heat pumps were invented in the 1850s and first installed in U.S. homes in the 1960s. The technology has become more widely available and technologically advanced in the last decade. Residential ductless heating and cooling systems were developed in Japan in the 1970s and have since become a preferred heating and cooling system throughout Asia and much of Europe. In the United States, ductless systems have been used in commercial applications for over 20 years.

With proper maintenance and care, a heat pump system should perform for over 15 years. Many of the systems installed during the 1980s are still functioning well today.

A ductless heat pump, or DHP, does not require the use of air ducts to distribute air. Ductless systems consist of an outdoor compressor unit and one or more indoor heads in common living area(s). Indoor heads are typically mounted high on a wall and each one can be controlled independently by remote control.

Ducted heat pump systems are similar, but the indoor unit is attached to an air handler that forces the hot air through your central duct system. They are controlled with a thermostat.

An installer will be able to provide the most informed solution for your home based on your energy goals, home size, room configuration and more. Typically, ductless heat pumps are a great upgrade for homes with electric baseboard heating, radiant heating, wood stove heating, leaky ducts, or uneven heating. On the other hand, a ducted system may be better for your home if you want to use your existing duct system or plan to replace an existing ducted heat pump.

Ductless systems are sized to meet the heating and cooling needs of a home’s individual zones. There is a great deal of flexibility when it comes to system sizing as one indoor unit can provide between ¾ and 2½ tons of heating and cooling depending on its BTU capacity rating.

No, in your application there will be a place to indicate whether you want a heat pump, heat pump water heater, or both.