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City announces countywide 'Energize Thurston' heat‑pump group‑purchase and subsidy program
Summary
Olympia’s building decarbonization program launched Energize Thurston, a countywide heat‑pump and heat‑pump water heater group‑purchase and rebate program offering up to $5,000 in savings per household and a limited number of fully subsidized installations for low‑ and moderate‑income residents.
Dominic Jones, Olympia’s Building Decarbonization Program Manager, told the council on April 8 that the city has launched Energize Thurston, a countywide heat pump and heat pump water heater program run in partnership with Thurston County, the cities of Tumwater, Lacey and Tenino, and South Puget Sound Habitat for Humanity.
Jones said the program builds on Energize Olympia pilots that delivered 72 reduced‑cost heat pump installations and 101 fully subsidized installations for low‑ and moderate‑income households. Participants in Energize Thurston can access program discounts, vetted contractors, assistance navigating utility, local, state and federal incentives and streamlined support; Jones said participating households can leverage up to $5,000 in savings per installation.
Jones highlighted that heat pump water heaters are now included in the program and described them as “the second largest energy use in most homes” after heating and cooling. He said heat pump water heaters can be up to three times more efficient than typical electric water heaters and that Energize Thurston is the first program in Washington state to include heat pump water heaters in a group purchase program.
The program will offer an on‑demand workshop at energizethurston.org (available with Spanish subtitles), plus four in‑person workshops in April and May. Jones listed the in‑person workshops: April 9 (Yelm Timberland Library), April 22 (Lacey Timberland Library), May 6 (Tenino Timberland Library) and May 27 (Olympia Timberland Library). He said applications close May 31 and that participants must attend one workshop (in person or on‑demand) to apply.
Jones also said partnerships and several grant awards and Habitat for Humanity involvement allow the program to offer a limited number of fully subsidized installations for qualifying households. He framed heat pumps as an “all‑electric source of energy‑efficient heating” that can lower bills, reduce household greenhouse gas emissions and expand access to cooling during hotter summers.
The council received the presentation; no formal action was taken at the April 8 meeting.
