Technology, Measures, & Innovation
Affordable Home Electrification Equipment Eligibility Cheat Sheet
Unsure what kind of HVAC equipment qualifies for replacement under the Affordable Home Electrification Program and how your new equipment will work? Utilize the list below and equipment descriptions to help determine if the equipment in your home is currently eligible for replacement and what new equipment will be installed in your home.
Is My Old Equipment Eligible for Replacement?
The following equipment is eligible for replacement through the Affordable Home Electrification Program at no cost to qualifying DC residents.
My Old Equipment | My New Equipment |
|---|
Gas, oil, and propane furnaces | Replaced by a centrally ducted electric heat pump and programmable thermostat |
Gas and oil-fired boiler/radiator systems | Replaced by a ductless electric heat pump and programmable thermostat |
Gas, oil, and propane-fired water heaters | Replaced by an electric storage tank water heater or electric heat pump storage tank water heater |
Gas oven/stove combination | Replaced by a freestanding induction stove |
Please note the following:
- Centrally ducted electric heat pump installation requires adequate existing ductwork.
- Homes with existing ductwork will receive priority replacement.
- Heating oil tanks and radiators will not be removed from program participant properties. Radiators left will no longer emit heat.
- Detached ovens and cooktops are not eligible for replacement.
Know Your Heating and Cooling Equipment
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Heat Pump
A heat pump is an efficient, dual-purpose heating and cooling device. Rather than creating its own heat, a heat pump pulls it from another source, like the air. It then amplifies and distributes that warmth, helping to keep your home comfortable all winter long. Come summer, a heat pump can essentially be run in reverse to remove hot air from the home, keeping you nice and cool. There are two types of air-source heat pumps that can be installed through the DCSEU’s Affordable Home Electrification.
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Central Ducted Heat Pump → Replaces your old furnace
For program participants replacing a furnace, existing ductwork makes a ducted heat pump a great option. These utilize an outdoor unit similar in appearance to that of a central AC system. They typically feature one large indoor air handler unit, however, depending on the specifics of the home, additional air handlers may be required.
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Ductless Heat Pump → Replaces your old radiator system
These devices are also known as mini split heat pumps. Mini splits typically have smaller indoor air handler units, making them well suited for placement in multiples throughout the home. As the name implies, ductless heat pumps provide heating and cooling without the need for ductwork throughout the home.
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Water Heater
A water heater also plays a key role in your home heating and cooling system. Its primary role, of course, is to heat water for kitchen and bathroom use. Two types of water heaters – both of which utilize storage tank technology – can be installed through the DCSEU’s Affordable Home Electrification Program.
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Electric Water Heater → Replaces your old gas/oil/propane water heater
These energy-efficient conventional units have an insulated tank in which water is both heated and stored for your future use. They typically hold anywhere from 30 to 50 gallons of hot water depending on the tank’s capacity and are sized based on the hot water needs in your home.
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Electric Heat Pump Water Heater → Replaces your old gas/oil/propane water heater
Heat pump water heaters operate similarly to home climate heat pumps. Rather than generating heat, they move it from one source to another. In this case, the heat is being transferred to the water inside a storage tank. They are highly efficient and often larger than a conventional tank water heater.
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Programmable Thermostat
A programmable thermostat is a system component allowing for increased control over your heating and cooling system. When connected to a heat pump, for instance, it enables automation based on the pre-set schedules you’ve determined. Tailor your home’s heating and cooling to your work schedule, sleep schedule, and more. And you can always manually override daily settings if you need to, adjusting indoor temps on the fly.
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Induction Stove
A stove is an essential tool in every kitchen. Induction stoves are the latest innovation in kitchen appliances. Unlike traditional electric stoves, which use heating elements to transfer heat to the cookware, induction stoves use electromagnetic fields to directly heat the pots and pans. This makes them more energy-efficient, safer, and faster than conventional electric stoves. Don’t forget that induction safe cookware must contain ferromagnetic materials, meaning it either contains iron or has a layer with magnetic properties .
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