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INFLATION REDUCTION ACT HOME ENERGY REBATES: PROGRAM GUIDANCE FOR STATE ENERGY OFFICES
This guide provides State Energy Offices (SEOs) with a framework for designing and implementing residential energy rebate programs authorized by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). It emphasizes data-driven design, strategic outreach to underserved communities, and the creation of support systems like 'one-stop-shops' to ensure that energy efficiency and electrification retrofits are economically beneficial and accessible, particularly for low-to-moderate income (LMI) households.
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Document type: Guide
How to Upgrade and Electrify Millions of US Homes and Buildings
This guide by RMI outlines how US states can maximize the impact of $8.5 billion in home energy rebates provided by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). It details two primary programs—the Home Efficiency Rebates and the Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates—and proposes three strategic actions for states: prioritizing low-income and disadvantaged communities, stacking multiple incentives to reduce upfront costs, and developing complementary state-level policies to scale building retrofits and workforce training.
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Document type: Guide
Fit for the future, not Fit-for-55
This briefing by Ember argues that the European Union's Fit-for-55 renewable energy target of 40% for 2030 is outdated due to the rapid acceleration of clean technology deployment. Based on industry forecasts for solar, heat pumps, and electric vehicles, the analysis suggests the EU is currently on course to reach a 45% renewable energy share by 2030, with the potential to reach 50% if policy and financial support are strengthened.
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Document type: Briefing
Climate action can address the cost of living crisis
This briefing by Zero Carbon Analytics argues that the current global cost of living crisis is driven by fossil fuel price volatility, particularly natural gas, rather than the transition to net zero. It posits that accelerating the adoption of renewables, improving energy efficiency, and electrifying heating and transport are the most effective long-term solutions to reduce energy costs, enhance energy security, and lower emissions.
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Document type: Briefing
How a Connecticut Theater Put Energy Efficiency in the Spotlight
The Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts in Hartford, Connecticut, has implemented a series of energy efficiency upgrades to reduce operating costs and environmental impact. Key projects include the replacement of an obsolete boiler with a high-efficiency steam system and the installation of LED lighting, new air handling units, and heat pumps. These initiatives were funded through a combination of C-PACE financing, state grants, utility rebates, and donations incentivized by the Connecticut Neighborhood Assistance Act Tax Credit Program.
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Document type: Case study
IMPLEMENTATION GUIDANCE FOR STATES: HOME ELECTRIFICATION REBATE PROGRAM
This guide provides implementation recommendations for state energy offices (SEOs) to design and deploy the Home Electrification Rebate program, a $4.5 billion initiative established by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) to support residential electrification for low- and moderate-income households.
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Document type: Guide
The Economics of Electrifying Buildings: Residential New Construction
An updated analysis by RMI comparing the economic and environmental impacts of all-electric versus mixed-fuel single-family new construction across nine US cities.
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Document type: Report
From Poverty to Power in Pembroke
This case study describes the Pembroke-Hopkins Park Energy Efficiency Pilot (PEEP), an initiative in rural Illinois designed to replace expensive and polluting heating sources like propane and wood with energy efficiency upgrades and electric appliances. Led by the Community Development Corporation of Pembroke and Hopkins Park (CDC-PHP) in collaboration with RMI and other partners, the project demonstrates a scalable model for rural energy transitions that prioritizes environmental justice over the installation of new fossil fuel infrastructure.
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Document type: Case study
Transforming the Ulaanbaatar heating sector: technology options for
This research paper examines decarbonisation options for the heating sector in Ulaanbaatar, comparing full electrification with the use of solar assisted ground source heat pumps (SAGSHP) to reduce electricity demand and total costs.
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Document type: Research paper
Medium-Size Commercial Retrofits
This report by RMI analyzes the economic and technical feasibility of electrifying mid-sized office buildings (approximately 50,000 square feet) that utilize packaged rooftop units (RTUs). The study demonstrates that cost-effective electrification retrofits exist across diverse US cities when tailored to regional climate conditions and gas utility rates, often requiring a combination of heat pumps, efficiency upgrades, and on-site solar.
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Document type: Report
Five Steps to Electrify Your Home: From Heat Pumps to Solar Panels and Induction Stoves
A guide by RMI providing a five-step framework for homeowners to decarbonize and electrify their residences, emphasizing energy efficiency, the use of heat pumps and induction stoves, and the utilization of incentives from the Inflation Reduction Act.
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Document type: Guide
Clean Energy 101: Heat Pumps
This guide explains the technology, efficiency, and types of heat pumps, highlighting their ability to provide both heating and cooling while reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving air quality compared to traditional fossil fuel systems.
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Document type: Guide
Strategic Tax Credits to Decarbonize Buildings
This policy brief by RMI argues for the implementation of a strategic suite of refundable tax credits to decarbonize buildings in the United States. The authors contend that current tax provisions are insufficient to meet President Biden's climate goals and propose six specific tax credit modifications and additions to incentivize zero-carbon new construction, deep energy retrofits for existing buildings, and the scaling of clean heating and cooling manufacturing.
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Document type: Policy brief
Eight Benefits of Building Electrification for Households, Communities, and Climate
This fact sheet from RMI outlines the climate, health, and economic advantages of transitioning US buildings from fossil fuels to clean electricity for heating and cooking, arguing that electrification is the only established method to eliminate carbon pollution from residential and commercial appliances.
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Document type: Fact sheet
Regulatory Solutions for Building Decarbonization
This report by the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) provides a comprehensive regulatory framework for decarbonizing the US building sector, primarily through electrification. It outlines ten key strategies for public utilities commissions (PUCs) and government agencies to transition away from fossil fuel infrastructure, emphasizing equity, market transformation, and the management of stranded asset risks.
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Document type: Report
Renewable Heating Virtual Article 6 Pilot
The NewClimate Institute proposes a virtual Article 6 pilot project in Khovd, Mongolia, focusing on the installation of ground source heat pumps (GSHP) to replace coal-based district heating in apartment buildings.
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Document type: Research paper
THE ECONOMICS OF ZERO-ENERGY HOMES
This report by the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) analyzes the incremental costs of building zero-energy (ZE) and zero-energy ready (ZER) single-family homes in the United States. It argues that the cost premiums for these homes are modest and often fall below consumer willingness-to-pay and long-term savings thresholds, suggesting that outdated perceptions of high costs are a primary barrier to market penetration.
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Document type: Report
Swedish heat energy system – new tensions and lock-ins after a successful transition
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Document type: Policy brief
Uppvärmning i Sverige – En succéhistoria med problem
This policy brief by the Stockholm Environment Institute analyzes the transition of Sweden's heating energy system toward low-carbon sources. While highlighting the success of district heating and heat pumps in reducing fossil fuel reliance, the document warns of systemic 'lock-ins' and a lack of focus on reducing energy demand, which may hinder future climate and efficiency goals.
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Document type: Policy brief
Heat Pumps
This report by the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) examines the economic and environmental costs of heating oil in the Northeast United States and proposes heat pumps as a viable, low-cost alternative to both oil and natural gas expansion.
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Document type: Report