Costs and Impediments to Using Home Efficiency Government Incentives

Abstract

Residential electrification technologies, specifically heat pumps, are readily available in the United States, yet are not being installed at rates that will help meet the nation’s climate commitment of zero emissions by 2050. Our client, Hayward Institute, is interested in the obstacles that exist in clean energy transitions in the home and how programs can help expedite these transitions across the United States. A qualitative study was designed and carried out to identify the barriers that are hindering the transition to electric appliances in homes. To uncover the barriers that homeowners may face, we conducted interviews with program managers and contractors about home electrification incentives in four different states: Montana, Colorado, Massachusetts, and West Virginia. States were selected based on criteria including political landscape, state energy policy, climate, economic standing, and client interests. By identifying these barriers, this report hopes to influence programmatic changes that will streamline home electrification incentive processes.