Applications are open again for the City of Burien’s Electrify Burien program, which offers reimbursements to eligible residents who make energy efficiency upgrades to their homes as part of the city’s effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the city announced this week.
The program provides a one time reimbursement of up to $2,500 per household and operates on a first come, first served basis while funds are available.
Eligible projects include heat pumps for home heating, induction stoves, conversions from gas to electric stoves, heat pump water heaters, heat pump clothes dryers, weatherization projects and double pane window installation.
City officials said residential energy use accounted for 31 percent of Burien’s greenhouse gas emissions, based on a 2019 city report. In 2022, the Burien City Council approved funding to help reduce household emissions in support of the city’s Climate Action Plan, which sets goals to reduce community wide greenhouse gas emissions by 50 percent by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.
The Electrify Burien program assists households in upgrading appliances and improving home efficiency while supporting those climate goals, the city said. Factors contributing to emissions include older appliances, inefficient weatherization and the use of gas rather than electric utilities and appliances.
Eligible costs include materials and labor listed on detailed invoices from contractors, installers or retailers who perform the work. Projects that require permits must use licensed and insured contractors who hold a business license for the City of Burien, and all required permits must be inspected and closed before funds are distributed.
Projects may not begin until applications are reviewed and applicants receive confirmation to proceed. Previously completed or in progress projects are not eligible, and new construction is exempt from the program, according to the city.
For window replacement projects, new windows must meet a maximum U Factor of 0.30 or better and be installed by licensed and insured contractors. Homes located in certain aircraft noise reduction zones may face additional building code requirements and may require permits.
Weatherization projects require a home energy assessment, which is eligible for reimbursement only if at least one recommended project is completed. The total reimbursement remains capped at $2,500 per household.
Applicants must submit documentation including contracts, W9 forms, receipts, quotes and invoices to receive reimbursement. Failure to provide sufficient documentation will result in projects being ineligible for payment, the city said.
The city also said outreach efforts are being supported through the Burien Sustainable Neighborhood Ambassador Program, also known as SNAP, which involves student interns and local advocates working to educate residents about energy smart home upgrades and available rebates.
Additional assistance programs listed by the city include the King County Housing Authority Weatherization Program, King County Housing Repair Program, state and federal home energy rebate programs, and utility discount programs offered by Puget Sound Energy and Seattle City Light.
More information and application materials are available through the city’s Electrify Burien webpage.
Questions about the program can be directed to environment@burienwa.gov.
The Electrify Burien program provides reimbursements to eligible Burien residents looking to increase the energy efficiency of their homes and aid in the citywide effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
— City of Burien, WA (@Burien) January 29, 2026
Read on our website https://t.co/5qoFiU85ZK pic.twitter.com/D9oReFw4J2
What about to the residents who already have all of these in place? We’ve had our heat pump, on demand water heater, energy efficient windows, induction stove, for years, shouldn’t we get some sort of rebate.
Your next door neighbor Sea-Tac Airport is responsible for roughly 7 million tons of carbon emissions per year and growing rapidly. In fact, they are one of the largest if not the largest facility producers of emissions in the state and upward climbing. You’re asking the poorest and most vulnerable residents to retrofit their homes at a cost of around $15,000 while the airport is gobbling up your improvements 10 fold while saying nothing to the Port of Seattle who can easily afford to retrofit everyone?
Why don’t you donate some money from your book sales on the topic of the airport .