Bainbridge Island’s New Heat Pump Subsidy Program Launches Today
Bainbridge Island, Wash., (October 23, 2024) – The City of Bainbridge Island has partnered with Kicking Gas, a Washington State campaign led by the nonprofit For the People, to bring high-efficiency heat pumps to Bainbridge Island residents at a reduced cost. Starting now, residents can attend monthly information sessions and take an eligibility survey to determine if they qualify for the program, which is focused on low- and moderate-income households during the pilot phase.
The City’s 2020 Climate Action Plan (CAP) set a goal for reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 90% by 2045 compared to 2014 levels. “The CAP serves as a guide to help Bainbridge Island become more climate-savvy and withstand the impacts of climate change,” said Blair King, City Manager. “The CAP inspires partnerships with local and regional organizations to take meaningful and equitable climate change mitigation and adaptation actions which is exactly what we are doing with Kicking Gas by making cleaner, more efficient heat pumps a reality for some.”
Electric heat pumps are an effective home heating and cooling technology that is well suited to western Washington s climate. This initiative will help residents reduce carbon pollution, improve air quality and comfort in their homes, while saving money on energy bills.
The City’s contract with Kicking Gas is for $280,000 including $91,476 from a Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates (HEAR) grant funded by the state’s Climate Commitment Act (CCA). The Kicking Gas campaign will provide education, resources, and financial assistance to residents as they make the switch to a cleaner heating solution. Ductless heat pumps also provide cooling in the increasingly hot summers. The City anticipates that the initiative will support 15 to 25 households with subsidies in the first year of this program, with hopes to expand in future years.
“The Kicking Gas campaign is more than just a campaign—it’s a movement to protect the environmental future of our community while making it more resilient,” said Derek Hoshiko, Kicking Gas Director. “We are excited to work with our partners and the City of Bainbridge Island to make a real difference.”
Residents can take a short online survey to determine what level of assistance they could receive. Bainbridge Islanders who install ductless heat pumps through the Kicking Gas campaign are eligible for discounts of 50% to 100% off installation costs up to $10,000, depending on household income.
The first Kicking Gas Information Session will be held tonight, Wed., Oct. 23 at 6 p.m. online via Zoom. Residents interested may RSVP online at https://kickgasnow.org/events. The program will provide information on the costs and benefits of ductless heat pumps in an hour-long session featuring local installers and campaign managers.
Two local installers have come onboard for this debut subsidy program, Home Comfort Alliance and Blossom Solar. Residents can get a free home assessment and a quote from one or more vetted installers, as part of qualifying for the program.
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About the HEAR grant
The Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates Program is supported with funding from Washington s Climate Commitment Act. The CCA supports Washington s climate action efforts by putting cap-and-invest dollars to work reducing climate pollution, creating jobs, and improving public health. Information about the CCA is available at www.climate.wa.gov.
About Kicking Gas:
Kicking Gas started in 2022 as a Whidbey Island-based project of the nonprofit For the People. After a successful campaign facilitating the installation of 118 heat pumps on South Whidbey Island in 2023, they have expanded into Snohomish and Kitsap County in 2024- 2025,workingtowardsthevisionofthe All-ElectricHome”whiledevelopinganinnovative program to increase public and retailer awareness about the little-known dangers that fossil fuel combustion poses to the health of our homes and families.
To learn more about the Kicking Gas campaign and how you can get involved, visit www.kickgasnow.org. For further information: Derek Hoshiko, 206-384-8826, derek@kickgasnow.org
