The Inflation Reduction Act offers rebates for energy-efficient home improvements, including heat pump water heaters, which can save thousands of dollars in the long run. Cala Systems, a tech company, promotes their “intelligent heat pump water heater” as a cost-effective solution. One of the benefits is that it can heat and cool efficiently without burning dirty energy sources. Additionally, homeowners can receive thousands of dollars from the government as rebates. However, with a new presidential administration coming, there is a worry that the incentives may be rescinded. It is recommended to act quickly to take advantage of the rewards. Even without the incentives, switching to a heat pump water heater would still save money and produce fewer greenhouse gases. The long-term benefits of using heat pumps are clear, making them a attractive option for those interested in reducing their carbon footprint.

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The Salvation Army is administering a home heating assistance program on Prince Edward Island, funded by the provincial government. The program provides financial help to individuals and families who are struggling to pay for furnace oil and other heating costs. In 2024, the program gave out around $7 million in assistance, and for 2025, a budget of $9 million has been allocated. The Salvation Army’s Martin Dutton notes that the need for the program continues to rise as the population grows, and many people are reluctant to seek help due to shame. To qualify, applicants must make less than $45,000 (individual) or $60,000 (household of two or more), and must be experiencing an emergency heating situation. The program has already given out $900,000 in aid this month, compared to $700,000 during the same time last year. The Salvation Army aims to help those in financial need, and is also encouraging applicants to consider energy-efficient options and grants for home improvements.

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The US Department of Energy is encouraging households to consider installing heat pumps to save on energy bills and reduce carbon pollution. According to a study, over 90% of US households could save energy by switching to a heat pump, which can be used for both heating and cooling. The key to reaping benefits is choosing the right heat pump, considering factors such as size, compressor type, efficiency, and reliability. The Inflation Reduction Act offers a tax credit of up to $2,000 for installation and purchase costs. This credit may not be available forever, so homeowners are advised to take advantage of the savings as soon as possible. Heat pumps are a cost-effective and environmentally friendly option, and many people who have made the switch have reported positive experiences. Despite some misconceptions, many households are already saving hundreds or even thousands of dollars on their energy bills, and experts recommend considering a heat pump as a potential solution.

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The City of Tumwater has joined a countywide program called Energize Thurston, which aims to help residents install home heat pumps. The program is open to income-qualified households, who will be eligible for free or partially subsidized heat pump installation. Households with incomes at or below 79% of the median area will be eligible for the full subsidy, while those above this threshold will be eligible for partial subsidies. The city has secured $477,540 in funding from the Washington Department of Commerce to support the program. South Puget Sound Habitat for Humanity will administer the program, providing income verification, equipment installation, and customer support. Non-income-qualified households will still benefit from the program through discounts negotiated with installers. Additionally, the city authorized agreements with the Thurston Regional Planning Council (TRPC) to conduct an updated analysis of the city’s land capacity and review land use designations as part of the ongoing comprehensive plan update.

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The government of Ontario is introducing two new energy efficiency programs to help reduce energy consumption and costs for homeowners and small businesses. The Home Renovation Savings Program will rebate up to 30% of the cost of energy-efficient home renovations, such as new windows, doors, insulation, and solar panels. The program will also cover costs of smart thermostats and heat pumps. For small businesses, the Peak Perks program will offer a $75 virtual credit card for each eligible smart thermostat and $20 for each additional year in the program. Energy Minister Stephen Lecce said the program will lead to both upfront and long-term savings for Ontarians. The initiative is expected to cost around $60 million annually for the first few years, compared to an average annual budget of $342 million over the past 13 years. The new programs are intended to help mitigate the demand on the power grid, which is expected to see a sharp rise in demand over the next few decades.

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A heat pump supplier, Aira UK, has criticized the UK government’s decision to scrap a proposal to ban new gas boilers from 2035. According to The I newspaper, new gas boilers will still not be allowed in new-build properties due to new “warm homes plan” green guidelines. However, the scrapped plan would have banned people from replacing their existing gas boilers with new ones from 2035. Aira UK claims that heat pumps are growing rapidly in popularity, with 250,000 certified installations in the UK and nearly 60,000 installed last year. The company argues that the ban would be a “backward step” that would jeopardize the UK’s progress towards its net zero targets. They say that a hard ban would send a clear signal to the heating industry and investors to transition away from fossil fuels.

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The UK government’s plan to ban new gas boilers from 2035 is being scrapped, despite efforts to encourage homeowners to switch to heat pumps. While heat pumps are a more environmentally friendly option, they are currently used by only 1% of households and are more expensive than gas boilers. The government had planned to offer a £7,500 subsidy to homeowners to switch to heat pumps. However, the National Audit Office found that there were significant challenges in achieving this goal, with only 18,900 heat pumps installed between May and December 2023, far short of the expected 50,000. The government will instead focus on providing more information and support to help households make the switch. The goal is to transition to low-carbon heating methods, but it appears that a different approach will be needed to achieve this aim.

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The Welsh Government has awarded £10m in grant funding to 32 community green energy projects across Wales. The projects involve the deployment of solar panels, heat pumps, battery storage, and electric vehicle charging points across schools, leisure centers, care homes, and community centers. The funding supports the Welsh Government’s Ynni Cymru program, which aims to support locally-owned renewable energy generation and smart local energy systems.

The projects receiving funding include deployment of solar PV and battery storage at village halls, rugby clubs, mosques, and community buildings. Other recipients include schools, business parks, and leisure facilities. The initiative is expected to smarten up energy use, reduce carbon emissions, and empower communities to produce their own energy.

Welsh Economy, Energy and Planning Minister Rebecca Evans called the projects “ground-breaking” and said that the funding supports the growth of innovative, locally-driven projects while reducing the need for large-scale infrastructure. With the funding secured, the project teams will move forward with plans to install new renewable energy equipment over the next few months, delivering a more sustainable and renewable energy future for Wales.

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Carrier Solutions has launched the AquaSnap 30AWH-P monobloc air-to-water heat pump in the UK, using R290 refrigerant. The heat pump is sold by Carrier Solutions UK and sister company Viessmann. It features low noise operation, starting at 49dB(A), and a user-activated night mode. Available in sizes from 4kW to 14kW, the heat pump is suitable for light commercial applications and can be installed in a cascade system of up to four units or in hybrid systems. It has a leaving water temperature of up to 75ºC, SCOPs up to 4.82, and SEERs up to 5.34. The compact design makes it easier to handle, weighing from 79.3kg and having a small footprint of 0.41m2. The simple monobloc design and enhanced layout simplify installation, and a gas separator on the leaving water pipe ensures improved safety. The heat pump is also compatible with Carrier’s Comfort Management T300 room control and can be controlled remotely through the Carrier Comfort Management app.

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According to a recent survey by the European contractors group, AREA, there are approximately 367,000 refrigeration, air conditioning, and heat pump personnel F-gas certified in 18 EU countries. The survey found that 40% of F-gas certified personnel are trained on HFOs, while 29% are trained on hydrocarbons, and 21% on CO2, and 12% on ammonia. The survey also estimates that 115,000 technicians will need to be trained in the coming years, but notes that this number may be underestimated due to new product bans and phase-down requirements in the F-gas regulation. AREA warns of a risk of a shortage of contractors trained on alternative refrigerants and urges that mandatory certification on alternative refrigerants will help increase the number of contractors with the necessary level of competence to handle these refrigerants safely and efficiently.

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Mike Roberts, a Berkeley resident and musician, has written a song called “(I’m Your) Heat Pump” to promote the use of heat pumps as a solution to climate change. The song is a humorous ballad written from the perspective of a heat pump, which promises to provide “climatic healing” and claims to be a “cool and funky” device that can seduce people into switching from gas to electric heating. The song features a smooth, R&B-inspired soundtrack and is sung by Will Hammond Jr., a recording artist who was approached by Roberts to play the lead role. The song’s lyrics educate listeners about how heat pumps work and their energy-efficient benefits. Heat pumps can move heat around instead of creating it, making them an important tool for cutting carbon emissions. The song has received interest from the Building Decarbonization Coalition, which aims to promote electrification to reduce climate change. Roberts believes that catchy stories like this song can help engage people with environmental messages and promote action on climate change. The song is available on Roberts’ website, and a music video is planned.

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A new intelligent heat pump water heater uses predictive technology to heat water more efficiently, leading to savings on utility bills and reduced reliance on dirty energy. Two ways to save money by upgrading to a heat pump water heater are through lower utility bills and government incentives. The Inflation Reduction Act offers a 30% tax credit and rebates of up to $1,750 through the Home Electrification and Appliances Rebate program. For example, a four-person family in the Northeast can save up to $6,000 in lifetime savings by switching from a propane-powered water heater to an electric heat pump water heater. The innovative heat pump water heaters from Cala use local weather data and pattern recognition to predict when water is needed and heat it ahead of time, making them more efficient and environmentally friendly. As IRA benefits may not be available for much longer, it’s essential to take advantage of these benefits soon.

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Researchers at the US Department of Energy’s Ames National Laboratory have developed a magnetocaloric heat pump that rivals vapor-compression heat pumps in terms of weight, cost, and performance. This breakthrough technology can reduce refrigerant emissions and energy consumption. Traditionally, magnetocaloric devices have been heavier, more expensive, and less efficient than vapor-compression devices. Julie Slaughter, the research team leader, explained that their team began by assessing the existing magnetocaloric devices and then pushed the technology to its limits. The team designed a magnetocaloric heat pump that utilizes spinning permanent magnets and magnetic steel to contain the magnetic field, making it more power-dense. They also evaluated the performance of two common magnetocaloric materials, gadolinium and lanthanum-iron-silicon-hydride-based material. The team optimized the design to reduce the amount of permanent magnet material and magnetic steel needed, making the device more efficient and affordable. The result is a magnetocaloric heat pump that is competitive with vapor-compression devices in terms of weight, cost, and performance. This research is published in the journal “Scalable and compact magnetocaloric heat pump technology”.

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Samsung has announced plans to enter the US home heat pump market in 2025. The company will showcase two indoor units, the Climate Hub Mono and Hydro Unit Mono, and one outdoor unit, the Mono R32 HT Quiet, at the CES 2025 expo. The indoor units feature 7-inch touchscreen displays with a minimalistic design and AI-powered “Home” technology, allowing users to control product functions and smart home devices. The displays also offer a 3D Map View feature to set optimal temperatures. The outdoor unit is designed to blend with exterior home designs and boasts high efficiency, with a SCOP rating of A+++ and a lower global warming potential compared to competing products. Samsung already sells heat pumps in 40 European countries and aims to target the whole home air conditioning, heating, and ventilation market in the US.

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As temperatures drop, homeowners face rising electricity bills. However, modern heat pumps may offer a solution to keep homes warm while saving money. According to The Washington Post, new cold-weather heat pumps can work in zero-degree weather, unlike older models. Carrier, a company that participated in a US Department of Energy contest, has developed a heat pump that can operate in cold temperatures. These cold-weather heat pumps are powered by inverters, which allow for multiple speeds and temperature control. This technology can lower bills while maintaining comfort in very low temperatures, according to Lacey Tan, manager for carbon-free buildings at RMI. The Inflation Reduction Act offers incentives for homeowners to install heat pumps, including tax credits and rebates. However, the future of these benefits is uncertain due to proposed changes to the act. EnergySage’s Heat Pump Marketplace makes it easy to install a heat pump and provides vetted providers in the area. Heat pumps are more efficient than traditional HVAC systems, saving homeowners about $300 per year, and do not rely on dirty energy sources, making them a sustainable option for the future.

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The Yukon government has launched an affordable heat pump program, with funding from both the federal and territorial governments. The program aims to help low-to-medium income homeowners reduce their energy costs and carbon emissions. The federal government is contributing $1.6 million, while the Yukon government is contributing an additional $700,000. The program will provide 100% of eligible costs up to $24,000 for eligible households to install high-efficiency heat pumps. Heat pumps extract heat from the air or ground and deliver it into a home, reducing heating expenses and carbon emissions. Minister John Streicker emphasized the program’s goal of augmenting existing heating systems and reducing emissions. The program is part of the territorial government’s commitment to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Interested homeowners can visit the Department of Energy, Mines and Resources Energy Branch to set up heat pumps and get support.

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Mits Airconditioning Inc., a company based in Mississauga, Ontario, has acquired master distribution rights for Clivet’s commercial and industrial HVAC products across North America. This partnership marks Clivet’s entry into the North American market, joining 90 other countries worldwide. Mits will introduce Clivet’s range of operationally and environmentally efficient products, including heat pumps, chillers, and fan coils, to the North American market. The official launch event will take place at the AHR Expo in Orlando, Florida, from February 10-12. Mits Airconditioning’s sales manager, Jim Chaters, praised Clivet’s products and manufacturing capabilities, as well as their approach to working with partners and engineers to ensure correct installations. Mits Airconditioning was founded in 1987 and has five regional offices and nine distribution centers across Canada.

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The author, Larry Magid, installed a Mitsubishi mini-split heating and air conditioning system in his 1950s-era Eichler house. While the system worked well in the upstairs bedroom, it struggled to heat the larger downstairs area. The issue was due to a partition wall and single-pane glass on the outside facing walls, which made it difficult for the heated air to reach the kitchen and dining area. The author’s contractor suggested installing a second unit or a large fan to redirect the heat. The author opted for the fan solution and used a Dreo 16-inch 25 DB smart air circulator fan. The fan worked well and was controlled via a smartphone app or voice assistants. To monitor the temperature in the kitchen and dining area, the author used a smart thermostat controller from Sensibo or Cielo, which was connected to an Echo Dot with a temperature sensor. The setup allowed the author to control the temperature and fan speed remotely and create routines for different times of the day.

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