I’m looking at a check I’ve just received from National Grid thanks to the MassSave rebate program for installing heat pumps. $10,000! Makes me feel warm all over. So do my new mini-splits. I won’t claim that getting them was quick or easy. For me, it was rather like buying a car. I needed to educate myself about my options, talk to a lot of people, make financial calculations, etc. Then I waited months until the installer could fit me into their schedule. (I’m glad they’re so busy getting people off fossil fuels.) Finally, there’s the phase of getting to know your new acquisition. Compared to buying a car, though, this process was less stressful.

I’m embarrassingly ignorant about cars, but with heat pumps, most folks are in the dark, so I felt fine asking questions, dumb or otherwise. It’s becoming ever easier to find information and support to switch to heat pumps, including the energy audits, advice, and rebates you can get from MassSave. That’s the place to start to learn more. Meanwhile, I’m happy with my new heating/cooling system, and if we face more record-breaking heat this summer, I’ll be better able to deal with it. I’m now looking forward to $600 in tax credits for my electrical upgrade and another $2,000 for the heat pumps, thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022.

I’m grateful to President Biden and all the members of Congress responsible for it, including Rep. Jim McGovern and Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey.

Linda Butler

Leeds