Heat Pumps

Heat Pump Initiative

Heat pumps are a smart, clean way to heat, cool, dehumidify, and purify your home’s air. They can fully replace your existing HVAC system year-round. Instead of generating heat, they use a small amount of electricity to move heat energy that’s already in the air. In winter, they capture outdoor heat and transfer it indoors; in summer, they reverse the process, acting like an air conditioner by removing heat and humidity from inside.

A common myth is that heat pumps can’t handle cold climates. In reality, they’re already used successfully in cold regions like Maine and Minnesota. Heat energy exists in outdoor air even down to -460°F, and modern heat pumps can draw on it effectively without backup electric heaters or fuel-burning, even at temperatures as low as -20°F.

We also know that heat pumps perform with a COP (Coefficient of Performance) of 2-4, meaning they can deliver upwards of 200%-400% more efficiently than the electric resistance heating units.

SPEER Heat Pump Working Group

Because of these upsides, SPEER has developed and continues to maintain a heat pump working group which seeks to identify and overcome policy challenges that hinder greater adoption of heat pumps. This working group is comprised of heat pump manufacturers and implementers working together to provide valuable expertise and insights to policymakers and stakeholders.

SPEER’s Heat Pump Working Group has successfully worked with the Public Utility Commission of Texas and its EM&V contractor to update the Texas Technical Reference Manual (TRM) to include a variable speed heat pump measure that was not in previous version (the TRM houses the calculations for deemed savings for utility energy efficiency programs). As a result, Texas utilities may now receive more accurate deemed savings credit for implementing heat pump program offerings.

The HPWG has been involved in the stakeholder process for the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs’ 2027 Qualified Allocation Plan seeking to promote heat pumps as a primary source for heating in low-income housing developments across the state. This effort could yield significant savings for low-income Texans, while also reducing demand on the grid from residences that typically consume more electricity.

Finally, the HPWG identified the challenge of workforce development and continuing education around heat pump technology. With their direction and expertise, the HPWG collaborates with local utilities to develop regional contractor trainings to promote the benefits of heat pumps while seeking to dispel the myths around their performance. To date, sessions have been held in Austin, Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio.

Helpful Resources

Reports:

Government Links:

Utility Rebates & Incentives Links:

Manufacturer Rebates & Incentives Links:

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