PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • November 15, 2025
A mix of satisfaction and discontent by homeowners matches what installers and policymakers describe. Advancements are one factor, with more recent models generally offering the greatest efficiency. “Today’s heat pumps have no problem with Maine’s cold winters,” said Scott Libby, owner of Royal River Heat Pumps in Freeport. “The newest models provide 100% of their rated capacity at minus-10 degrees Fahrenheit and have guaranteed output at minus-22 degrees.” He advises customers to “set it and forget it” when temperatures drop, instead of turning down the thermostat at night as homeowners have been taught to do. “Weatherize first, then design the system based upon the new heat load of the home.” Rebates, he said, can “effectively cut the payback time in half” for some low-income households. The push for heat pumps appears to be serving both the state’s climate goals and Maine residents’ pocketbooks.