Colorado Springs Utilities updates sustainable energy plan to include clean heat incentives
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- Colorado Springs Utilities updated its sustainable energy plan to include new incentives for customers to invest in clean heat appliances.
The goal of this new plan is to reduce coal generation as well as carbon and greenhouse gas emissions by switching from natural gas to electric appliances that use new heat pump technology.
Natural gas has traditionally been the type of power behind heating appliances, such as water heaters, furnaces, and other home heating systems.
Officials said switching to these electric appliances are much more energy efficient, it's better for air quality, and the environment, and the devices use less power. Which in turn, lowers carbon emissions.
These appliances cost more money upfront but Springs Utilities said they will save customers in the long term on their bills because the technology uses less energy.
Colorado Springs Utilities is offering rebate incentives as a way to help its customers make this up-front investment.
Currently, for a qualifying water heater, it's up to a $200 rebate, and up to a $1,000 rebate for a qualifying furnace.
"The idea with these heat pump appliances is they're anywhere from 2-3 times more efficient than the traditional natural gas alternatives," Colorado Springs Utilities spokesperson Steve Berry said. "It's better for the environment because these newer electric-based appliances produce less emissions than their natural gas counterparts, which results in cleaner air."
Colorado Springs Utilities also offers rebates for energy star appliances, insulation, and smart thermostats.
On the state level, Colorado is offering an incentive in the form of a tax break on these heat pump appliances in 2024 for purchases made this year.
As far as what's to come, on the federal level certain income-based customers will begin seeing incentives in the form of instant rebates for purchasing one of these heat pump-powered water heaters and furnaces.
