The City of Bellingham and Whatcom County partnered to launch the Home Electrification Appliance Rebate (HEAR) program for homes and small businesses throughout Whatcom County.
The program provides free electric appliances and electrical system upgrades to qualified low-income homeowners, nonprofit organizations that serve vulnerable populations, and small businesses.
Homeowners
Funding for low-income households (up to 60% of State Median Income or 200% of Federal Poverty Level) will prioritize applicants who:
- Live in homes that have been previously weatherized (if upgrading space heating)
- Live in homes with no working heat source
- Live in homes with no working air conditioner
- Live in homes with 6 or more residents
- Are seniors (one or more persons aged 65 or older)
- Are eligible for external weatherization programs
Through the program, homeowners can receive heat pumps for space heating and water heating, heat pump clothes driers, and induction stoves for cooking. The program will also fund electrical service, panel upgrades, and electric wiring upgrades for installing appliances.
Apply for the program
Homeowners need to go through a qualification process to be considered for the program. The City contracts with Opportunity Council to review applicant qualifications.
Contact Mark Schofield at the Opportunity Council at mark_schofield@oppco.org or 360-676-6099 ext. 4.
Nonprofit organizations and small businesses
Sustainable Connections provides electrification services for small businesses, with a focus on nonprofit organizations that provide critical social and human services to their communities. Sustainable Connections will also prioritize organizations in vulnerable populations and overburdened communities identified by the Washington Environmental Health Disparities Map and Puget Sound Energy Named Communities Map.
Apply for the program
Owners of small businesses or non-profit organizations can contact Nick Cusick at Sustainable Connections at nicholasc@sustainableconnections.org or 360-647-7093 ext. 113.
Program funding
The Home Electrification Program is funded through funds received from the Department of Commerce via the Home Electrification Appliance Rebates program. 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 https://climate.wa.gov/.
