Heat pumps are becoming a standard home upgrade in the United States rather than a niche one, as Good News Network detailed.
In newly built houses, these electric systems that handle both heating and cooling are nearly matching the share of furnaces, boilers, and standalone air conditioners, a change that could cut utility bills and reduce pollution.
What's happening?
Home-construction and sales figures cited by the outlet show that 46% of newly built homes were equipped with heat pumps. That puts them only about 1 percentage point behind gas furnaces, water boilers, and AC units.
The nonprofit Building Decarbonization Coalition reported that heat pump sales were 32% higher than sales of older home heating systems. Over 15 years, heat pump sales have doubled and have nearly caught up with standalone air conditioner sales, per the nonprofit.
"All the trends are pointing towards increased heat pump adoption, not only versus gas, but also versus just traditional one-way air conditioning," commented Kevin Carbonnier, associate director of analytics at the Building Decarbonization Coalition, to Grist.
If you're weighing an upgrade, EnergySage's heat pump marketplace program can help you understand your HVAC options, slash your energy bills with new, efficient HVACs, and connect you with trusted installers.
The appeal is easy to understand. Heat pumps operate as two-in-one appliances that can both heat and cool your home, and do so more efficiently than conventional options.
Why does it matter?
Rather than producing heat through combustion, heat pumps transfer it, which lets a single system both warm and cool a home. An electric heat pump typically creates far less planet-warming pollution than gas furnaces or oil-based heating. That advantage can grow over time as the grid uses more renewable energy.
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Many older systems used chemicals with very high global warming potential, but newer EPA rules are pushing manufacturers toward alternatives with a much lower climate impact, as Good News Network noted.
If your current system is inefficient or nearing the end of its life, replacing it can be one of the most effective ways to reduce monthly utility bills and protect yourself from rising energy prices.
For newly built homes, Good News Network suggested pairing a heat pump with electric cooking can allow developers to avoid installing gas lines altogether, reducing construction complexity and sometimes lowering the home's final cost.
What can I do?
If you're shopping for a new system, compare available incentives, expected monthly operating costs, and the proper size for your home. EnergySage can help you find efficient heating and cooling solutions for your home and compare trusted installers before you commit.
If you'd rather not pay upfront, Palmetto offers a $0-down HVAC leasing program that can lower your energy costs by up to 50%. Palmetto's HVAC leases start as low as $99/month and include 12 years of free maintenance.
For a more affordable option, Merino makes single-room ultra-efficient HVACs for targeted heating and cooling that can be installed in under an hour.
You can also combine solar panels with electric appliances, including efficient HVACs, to drive utility costs down even more. EnergySage makes it easy to find the best solar system and installer for your home and budget, saving you up to $10,000 on installations.
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