PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Rhode Island's Office of Energy Resources said Monday it will offer $11.5 million in incentives to help low- and moderate-income households in small multifamily buildings across the state install heat pumps.

The Rhode Island Small Multifamily Heat Pump Pilot is open to income-eligible residents of buildings with two to four attached units, according to the office. Heat pumps heat and cool a home with a single electric system.

Under the program, low-income households, those earning up to 80% of the area median income, would have all eligible equipment and installation costs covered, up to $16,000 per housing unit. Moderate-income households, earning 81% to 150% of the area median income, would have 60% of those costs covered, up to the same $16,000 cap. Moderate-income gas customers on Aquidneck Island and moderate-income members of the Narragansett tribe would have all eligible costs covered, up to $16,000 per unit, the office said.

Households must meet the program's weatherization requirements before receiving money, and installations in rental properties require the landlord's approval.

The pilot is funded through the New England Heat Pump Accelerator, a regional effort that includes Rhode Island, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts and New Hampshire and runs through December 2029. Its grant and pilot program provides $90 million for projects that address barriers to heat pump adoption among lower-income households. U.S. Sen. Jack Reed said the program is entirely federally funded.

Acting Office of Energy Resources Commissioner Chris Kearns said smaller multifamily properties pose particular challenges, "including coordinating heat pump installations among multiple households and completing necessary weatherization improvements."

The program will be run through the state's existing Clean Heat Rhode Island program.

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