PORTLAND, Maine — Maine, along with the federal government, provides significant incentives to convert from fossil fuel heat and transportation to electricity-based versions. Several cities and towns such as Portland, Freeport and South Portland even have a program called “Electrify Everything!"
But here’s the rub, most of these conversions require a qualified electrician to complete and according to Willis Dicentes of Bear Hill Electric there’s already more work than they can keep up with.
The increased focus on electrification means that tasks previously performed by a plumber or heating specialist now fall on electricians. Instead of plumbing a baseboard, electricians are running lines for heat pumps. And according to Efficiency Maine, the number of heat pumps it has rebated has grown from a total of 20,000 in 2016 to a total of 150,000 in 2023.
In addition to heat pumps, electric vehicle chargers often draw enough current that a panel upgrade from 100 to 200 amps is needed to keep up.
All this means that those looking to take advantage of electrification rebates and savings may have to wait a while to complete their project. And according to Willis, the only thing that will alleviate that is more people entering the trades, which isn’t always an easy task.
“Quite an undertaking to do when you’re trying to work or raise a family or anything else is spent 2 nights a week for 2 years to get the training required," according to Dicentes.
