Monmouth Power and Light has just entered into an agreement with Bonneville Power Administration and a local firm to help MPL consumers install the newest generation of electric heat in their existing homes.

Relatively new in this country, these high-efficiency, zonal electric heaters have been popular for years in Japan and Europe. Known as ductless heat pumps, these heaters are a proven technology.

In this application, these systems are designed to replace current resistance heaters. Unlike traditional heat pumps, ductless heat pumps avoid the expense of installing ductwork in a home not equipped with it.

Late last year, Bonneville Power Administration chose Monmouth as a proving ground for this technology. Working with Monmouth Power and Light and a local contractor, BPA offered a $2,000 cash incentive to 11 local purchasers of one of these systems. This incentive met about half the cost of an installed system.

The test installations have proven to be a huge success. Homes that have received one of these systems have seen a sizeable reduction in electricity consumption. Most participants have seen the energy used to provide heating drop by up to 75 percent.

BPA has been so encouraged by these results they have initiated a new, larger program. Although the rebate amount has gone down, the total number of systems available has mushroomed.

Bonneville has committed to supporting the installation of a total of 1,500 of these systems in homes served by public utilities in Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Montana. The rebate amount this time is $1,500, leaving the consumer cost at roughly $2,500. Federal and state tax incentives will lower that price somewhat.

For a Monmouth home to qualify for the program, it must be heated predominantly by electricity. Zoned resistance heat, such as ceiling cable, baseboard or fan-driven wall units, is preferred. Homes that use wood as an occasional heat source still qualify; however, extensive use of wood heat can disqualify a home.

One last thing: Like all heat pumps, these ductless units also cool. What a great opportunity; nearly half off the cost of high efficiency electric heat that keeps you cool in the summer as well, all while lowering your electricity bill.

Together with the Green Tag program, this ductless heat pumps initiative demonstrates Monmouth's commitment to helping its residents lower their energy footprint. It may seem surprising for a utility to want to help you use less of their product, but the reality is that it is much cheaper to help with conservation than it is to build new generation capacity. The greenest power available is that which you don't use.

If you are interested in having your home evaluated for a ductless heat pumps installation, please call Monmouth Power and Light at (503) 838-3526 to initiate the process.

John Oberst is mayor of Monmouth. Contact him at (503) 751-0145 or joberst@ci.monmouth.or.us.