Maine’s U.S. senators are working on a proposal to incentivize less expensive heating and cooling units in homes.

Mainers often pay high heating prices because of the state’s long winters and reliance on heating oil.

Independent Sen. Angus King and Republican Sen. Susan Collins say their new proposal would let customers get a refundable federal tax credit for costs associated with installing heat pumps.

The senators say encouraging heat pumps is a good idea for Maine and other states because they can heat and cool homes more efficiently, cleanly and economically than fossil fuel options.