CanaryMedia: "Heat pumps may soon outsell air conditioners in US."
We find ourselves, without exaggeration, in a deadly race toward the future. Heat pumps—essentially reversible air-conditioners—began outselling fossil methane gas furnaces 4 yrs ago. Now they are rounding the corner on air-conditioning, too + may well pass on the curve. "In 2025, sales of the appliances were basically tied—and heat pumps even beat air conditioners in September, a first.
"Compared with the same period last year, heat pump sales are up by about 1%, while AC sales are down by nearly 8%, according to data from the Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute, a trade group." They’ve long been popular in more moderate climates, like the U.S. South, but in recent years their cold-weather performance has improved, and they’ve caught on in more frigid regions, too. "Heating is one of the largest sources of carbon emissions in the country, and heat pumps, which are two to four times more efficient than fossil-fueled systems, offer a much cleaner way to keep a space warm."
The fact that they also cool homes is a climate benefit in its own right, as extreme heat makes air-conditioning a necessity rather than a luxury. "Many states, municipalities, and utilities have incentivized the adoption of the energy-efficient, zero-emissions technology." These subsidies may come in the form of direct rebates, or may manifest in wonkier [ways], like pro-electric building codes or preferential electricity rates for homes with heat pumps.
"For a few years, the federal government offered incentives for the appliances, too, but...Trump and congressional Republicans repealed those last year."
Personally, we have been living with a heat pump for 8 yrs, and our house takes wonderful care of us + the planet at the same time. You may prefer to wager on the horses, but 'heat + cold pumps' are a better bet by far.
