FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) — The Valley Air District announced Wednesday that it can provide up to $5,000 to certain residents who are upgrading their home heating and air conditioning systems.
The county is offering residents of Madera County, Fresno County, or the Valley Air Basin portion of Kern County up to $5,000 for a new home heating and cooling system if they decommission their fireplace and install an electric heat pump system – with access to pipelines natural gas.
The county’s Fireplace and Wood Stove Conversion Program incentivizes residents to reduce emissions from their wood stove or fireplace by replacing their appliance with an electric heat pump or gas appliance.
The decision to replace or remove wood-burning fireplaces is an important part of our collective effort to reduce air pollution and improve the quality of life in our communities. We are pleased to be able to offer our residents increased financial support, with the top grants going to residents who are switching to electric heat pumps to heat their homes.
Jaime Holt, District Chief Communications Officer
To participate, residents must work with a county-approved retailer or HVAC company that participates in the participating program. Businesses can also participate by calling (559) 230-5800, residents at www.valleyair.org/change-out.
According to the Valley Air District, a heat pump heats and cools homes and serves as a combined heating and air conditioning system. These pumps provide highly efficient heating and cooling for California homes, are energy efficient and environmentally friendly when coupled with cleaner power sources such as solar power.
Click here for more information on electric heat pumps.
According to the Valley Air District, the federal Inflation Reduction Act grants applicants a tax credit equal to 30% of the total cost of installing a heat pump. Click here for more info.
