Residents looking to reduce heating costs can learn about significant financial incentives during an upcoming presentation at the Irene Ingle Public Library.

Maureen O’Hanlon, an energy assessor with Alaska Heat Smart, will host an informational session on the Accelerating Clean Energy Savings (ACES) heat pump rebate program on Tuesday, April 14, from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

“Basically, if you have a heating system that requires burning something of some kind — wood, oil or natural gas — then you qualify,” O’Hanlon said in an April 3 interview.

The ACES program offers rebates ranging from $4,000 to $8,500 for the installation of heat pumps, which run on electricity and use the temperature difference between outdoor and indoor air to pump warm air into a home — sort of a reverse refrigerator.

During the presentation, O’Hanlon will discuss rebate qualification requirements, the long-term savings associated with heat pumps, and the availability of low-interest loans for the upgrades.

While similar programs in other areas are often limited to homeowners only, she said renters qualify to participate in the ACES program.

In addition to the public meeting, O’Hanlon will be in the community April 14-16 to conduct in-person home energy assessments. These assessments are designed to evaluate a home’s current energy efficiency and determine the most effective path for heating upgrades.

“The assessment is one of the steps involved in the program,” she said. “The first step begins with the application process.”

Residents interested in starting the process and scheduling an in-person assessment while O’Hanlon is in town are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Applications for the ACES program and energy assessments are available online at akheatsmart.org/aces.

If someone attending the presentation needs assistance navigating the application process online, O’Hanlon said she would be available to help with that while at the library, after her presentation.

The initiative is funded in part by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency through an agreement with the Southeast Conference. Additional partners include the Alaska Municipal League and Alaska Heat Smart.