Geothermal Heat Pump Incentive Program - Residential

EXTENSION NOTICE:  In December and January, fewer applications were received than were expected.  As of January 27, there is still $200,000 remaining in the rebate account.  We will continue to accept residential rebate applications until these funds are totally committed.  Applications will be approved on a first-come, first-serve basis, so it will make sense to check with Lynne Lewis (lynne.lewis@ctcleanenergy.com or 860-257-2363) on the status of the rebate account before submitting an application.
 

The average time between receipt of application at CEFIA and completion of the project has been 225 days for residential projects, and 381 days for commercial projects. CEFIA is planning no geothermal heat pump incentive program to follow this ARRA-funded program.

Geothermal systems draw upon the relatively constant temperature (~50-55° F) of the soil or ground water deep beneath the earth’s surface to efficiently heat buildings during colder months and cool buildings during warmer months. Because the heat pump transfers heat from one location to another (like an air conditioner), most of the heat delivered is “free” and does not have to be supplied by fossil fuels or electric energy. Energy savings for a typical home heating/cooling system typically range from 30% to 70%, with the GSHP system being most attractive compared to electric resistance heating, and least competitive versus natural gas.

Projects funded under the ARRA program have exhibited the following characteristics:

 

  Residential Commercial
  Average Size 4.772 Tons Average Size 40.703 Tons
  Average Rebate $5,306.22 Average Rebate $72,390.91
  Average Cost/ton $8,782.00 Average Cost/ton $10,085.00

 

These averages can be somewhat misleading when trying to determine the expected cost of a particular project, because site conditions, equipment selection and location all have a significant impact on costs.  However, they may be useful in helping to determine whether or not a geothermal heat pump system would make sense for you.  We recommend contacting two or more of the “eligible contractors” who have participated in our program, to obtain information and quotes.


For a full program description (including eligibility requirements and funding limits) and application information, click on the links below.

 

Click here for the Commercial version of the Geothermal Heat Pump Incentive Program

 

Funding available under this program is as follows:

 

Geothermal Rebate Program as of November 30, 2011 (Residential and Commercial, combined)

Applications Received

Rebate Funds Reserved

Pending Rebate Applications ("Pipeline")

Rebate Funds Remaining (Unallocated) % Funds Remaining

 478

 $3,705,417

 $360,975

 $433,608

9.6%

 

Program Start

Program End Months Left in Program

%

 October 2009

April 2012

 5

 16%

 

The following incentive structure will apply to all applications received:

► Residential (retrofits of existing building) -- $1,200 per ton of air-conditioning capacity
► Residential (new construction) -- $1,050 per ton
► Commercial for-profit -- $1,050 per ton
► Not-for-profit -- $1,750 per ton

 

 

These rates are as of May 14, 2010 and will apply for the duration of the program.  Please note that any project which is not complete and operating by April 30, 2012 will not be eligible for any payment of the rebate, according to the rules of the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act.

 

 

Links to Important Information