Who’s ready to get pumped up?

No we’re not pushing gym memberships. But lately, there are some great opportunities to get a heat pump installed in your property… and unlike a bodybuilding routine, it doesn’t require a heavy lift.

OK, first the obvious question: “Why are we talking about heat pumps in the summer?” Despite what the name may sound like, heat pumps provide both heating and cooling in one unit. There are two main kinds:

• Ground-source heat pumps that transfer heat between an indoor space and (surprise!) the ground or a a nearby water source.
• Air-source heat pumps that work like a reversible air conditioner, transferring heat between your building and the outside air.

The key to both types is that they’re electrically-powered with no gas lines or other carbon-based fuel source required. That makes them an important part of building electrification, the ability to shift a building’s systems to increasingly renewable electricity and bring down a building’s carbon emissions in the process. (And yes, they can keep up with a Colorado winter like the one we just had.)

So what are the opportunities? Among other things:

• Boulder County’s Energy Smart program recently partnered with the EnergySage online marketplace to provide expert advice on heat pumps, information on contractors and comparison quotes. You can find out more at Energy Smart’s renewable heating and cooling page.
• Our own Efficiency Works energy efficiency program offers a number of rebates for upgrading your home HVAC to a heat pump.
• Starting this year, the state of Colorado offers a tax credit and sales tax exemption that together can discount a heat pump’s cost by 12.9% (not counting installation charges) and federal tax credits are available for heat pumps as well.

Need more information? Check out our own building electrification page, which includes some basics as well as links for learning more.

It’s a great way to get your building in shape.