Oil and Gas get massive subsidies every year, but a huge part of it are the very popular heating oil subsidies that keep people alive in the winter. Could these be reduced or replaced if instead the government gave money towards families purchasing electric heaters and spending their money on that?

Edit: USA but i assume the problem is not uniquely ours

  • AA5B@lemmy.world
    2·
    7 hours ago

    Yes, my state has incentives for heat pump installs and a special electric rate for heat pump users (for those who heat with electric only)

    I got a smaller incentive for installing a heat pump in my family room but still keeping my gas furnace. Electricity is pretty expensive here so the tradeoff is about 45°F. Above that the efficiency of the heat pump wins out, but colder than that the furnace is cheaper.

    I did try the heat pump when it was cold, and it still produced a respectable amount of heat at 20°F