Public School Heat-Pump Water Heater Accelerator

The Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources (OER), through its Lead by Example (LBE) Initiative, has been working with state agencies for a number of years, developing and implementing clean energy projects. The Heat-Pump Water Heater Program is a new program we initiated with a pilot in 2022 to replace old water heaters in government facilities with energy-efficient heat-pump models, that we are pleased to expand to public school districts meeting our equity criteria.

This program provides technical assistance, procurement support, implementation oversight, and financial incentives to Rhode Island Public Schools to accelerate the adoption of clean energy technologies. The new water heaters can provide immediate energy cost reductions, shrink public sector footprints and support clean energy jobs. In addition, the program aligns with the 2021 “Act on Climate” legislation.

The program is being supported through Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) auction proceeds and federal grant funding from the Department of Energy. We will also leverage any available utility-administered energy efficiency funding for each of these projects. 

Eligible Entities:  Currently, eligibility for this program is aligned with the Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) Facility Equity Initiative communities. The ten (10) communities currently eligible are: Central Falls, Providence, Pawtucket, Woonsocket, West Warwick, East Providence, North Providence, Cranston, Coventry, and Burrillville. As eligibility expands, we will update this list.

Program Application: If you are interested in participating in this program, please fill out the Program Application.