Submitted by Thurston County
Thurston County and partner cities are launching the Energize Thurston group purchase campaign to reduce upfront costs of efficient, electric heat pump equipment for County residents. From March to June 2025, Energize Thurston will provide access to program-exclusive discounts, instant rebates, and customer support to streamline installations of heat pump heating, cooling, and water heating systems. A limited number of subsidized installations will be available to income-qualified households.
An interlocal agreement among Thurston County, Lacey, Olympia, Tumwater, and Tenino establishes Thurston County as the lead jurisdiction, with all five jurisdictions contributing grant funding to support the program. “The County taking the lead on Energize Thurston is the result of the incredible work of our climate mitigation team, led by Rebecca Harvey, whose dedication has been instrumental in bringing the program to life. By working with our partners to make energy-efficient heat pumps more accessible to low- and moderate-income households, we’re helping families lower their utility costs, improve air quality, and build resilience against extreme weather. These are the kinds of investments that make a real difference in moving us toward a more sustainable future,” said Thurston County Commissioner Emily Clouse.
Heat pumps provide highly efficient, all-electric space heating and water heating, plus the added benefit of air conditioning to make homes more comfortable in the summer months. The Thurston Climate Mitigation Collaborative (TCMC) has designed and planned Energize Thurston as a high-priority regional initiative to tackle the County’s largest source of greenhouse gas emissions: residential energy use. The campaign will reduce household energy costs and make homes more efficient and comfortable, with a focus on helping low-income community members.
“I want to express my support for Energize Thurston and its efforts to reduce energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions,” said Mayor Debbie Sullivan of Tumwater. “Energize Thurston and its city partners are raising awareness of the climate, health and economic benefits of heat pumps while caring for people in our communities.”
Lacey Councilmember Robin Vazquez added that “helping local homeowners install or upgrade a heat pump benefits both the homeowner and our community. It helps to save energy, lower bills and reduce carbon emissions, while improving air quality and making homes more resilient to intense weather events. This program is an investment in our future, preserving our environment and benefiting families. It’s a win for everyone!”
Residents with a household income below 120% of Thurston County area median income (AMI) may qualify for funds to cover 80-100% of equipment and installation costs, paid for by grants from the State Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates (HEAR) program and administered in partnership with South Puget Sound Habitat for Humanity. The HEAR program is supported with funding from Washington’s Climate Commitment Act, which 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 www.climate.wa.gov.
South Puget Sound Habitat for Humanity (SPSHFH) will coordinate the subsidized installations for Energize Thurston. Elizabeth Walker, CEO of SPSHFH, commented that “Too many of our neighbors must choose between heating their homes and other critical needs. We are proud to be partners in this campaign, helping our Thurston County neighbors access efficient systems so that they can dramatically reduce their energy costs and live in safer, healthier homes.”
Tenino Mayor Dave Watterson expressed that “We are proud that we were selected with the cities of Lacey, Olympia and Tumwater to receive a grant to help our qualified residents upgrade their heating systems to energy-efficient heat pumps.”
Energize Thurston builds on and expands the City of Olympia’s “Energize Olympia” campaign, which provided discounted and subsidized ductless heat pumps to City residents in 2023 and 2024. “The Energize Olympia program has the been the example of how we can meet some of our climate goals, while providing a cost-effective resource for the public,” said Olympia Councilmember Robert Vanderpool. “The Energize Thurston program will expand this success to include more folks from a variety of backgrounds and places. I look forward to it being just as successful as the 170 heat pumps we have installed throughout Olympia.”
To qualify for Energize Thurston’s program-exclusive discounts and incentives, residents must attend one of the educational workshops, either in person or on demand. The workshops provide information on heat pump technology, home energy savings, available discounts and financial incentives, and income eligibility for grant-funded installations. Attendees will also meet selected installation partners and be able to sign up for a free site assessment. The workshop schedule is as follows:
Virtual Workshop:
- March 24, 6:30‐7:30 PM (via Zoom)
- A recording will be posted to view on demand.
In Person Workshops:
- March 20, 6:30-7:30 PM (Tumwater)
- April 9, 6:30-7:30 PM (Yelm)
- April 22, 6:30-7:30 PM (Lacey)
- May 6, 6:30-7:30 PM (Tenino)
- May 27, 6:30-7:30 PM (Olympia)
Residents may learn more and register for upcoming workshops at the Energize Thurston website.
