%20(6).png)
The growing movement toward using electricity to power our world isn’t limited to cars and lawn mowers. Global HVAC leader Trane saw the possibilities of using electricity for home comfort in 1960 when the then-Wisconsin-based company introduced the Weathertron heat pump. This technology has transformed into one of the most effective tools to make residential heating and cooling better for the planet and for homeowners’ monthly budgets through the electrification movement.
There have been many advancements over recent decades that have led to the heat pump’s relevancy. New innovations—like capabilities to work in colder climates—have made heat pumps more powerful and accessible, regardless of the climate where homeowners live. By using electricity from renewable sources like solar, wind, or hydropower, it is possible to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels while still remaining comfortable in the home.
The evolution of heat pumps has created a new generation of reliable, powerful home climate control that helps homeowners save money, make carbon-reduction efforts possible, and upgrade homes with technologies that outperform older (now-dated) systems by nearly every metric. Because of this, the US government has recently passed an act that includes significant tax credits for household energy efficiency upgrades, and heat pumps qualify for these credits—incentivizing homeowners to make upgrades and help America reach its goal of 40 percent reduced carbon emissions by 2032.
.jpg)
Historically, there have been limitations and misconceptions about heat pumps and their capabilities. Heat pumps today, like the Trane XV20i Variable Speed Heat Pump, work by moving heat in or out of the home to achieve the desired interior temperature. When heating, the heat pump extracts heat from the air, the ground, or nearby water and then amplifies and evenly distributes it through a home. When cooling, the heat pump distributes heat away from the home instead of into it, acting as an AC unit. And since these heat pumps are powered by electricity, they can be connected to solar or other renewable sources of power, making them one of the most sustainable choices in HVAC.
Trane is taking heat pump innovation to new heights to ensure more sustainable, energy-efficient, and reliable options exist for homeowners. Every Trane system is tested to withstand the harshest conditions nature, or the team’s engineers, can throw at it, from freezing conditions in the System Extreme Environmental Test (SEET) lab to five inches of water an hour in a Climate Chamber. These improvements in performance in more extreme conditions have not only increased the durability of individual systems (which increases the long-term, overall sustainability of single homes) but have also allowed the residential sector to significantly reduce its emissions at large. According to reporting, if every American home installed a heat pump, it could slash the emissions in the residential sector by a staggering 36 to 64 percent and cut overall US emissions by 5 to 9 percent. For example, Trane XV20i Variable Speed Heat Pump has an estimated annual energy savings of 50 percent.
This efficiency enables people to reduce their overall energy use—and save money while doing so. Regardless of where their home is, owners can use different system configurations to make an improvement for the planet and their wallets. Even in the coldest climates, furnaces can be paired with heat pumps to create dual-fuel systems that operate similarly to a hybrid car, allowing those who rely on traditional furnaces to still shrink fossil fuel consumption and save money on heating and cooling. It’s estimated that switching from a fuel oil furnace to an air-source heat pump will save the average homeowner $950 every year in utility bills.
Subsidies are available to make the transition easier. Beginning in August 2022, the US government started offering incentives to make upgrades like heat pumps more affordable, passing the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) of 2022. Through the act, homeowners may be eligible to upgrade to more affordable and efficient HVAC products and reduce their emissions through electrification thanks to a combination of tax credits and rebates available through 2032. A notable extension of the Inflation Reduction Act is the Energy Efficient Home Improvement Tax Credit, which provides tax credits to homeowners when installing qualifying residential heating and cooling equipment. Study after study has shown that one of the simplest ways to make the most of the credits offered is by installing a heat pump.
Next-generation heat pumps are being built differently to meet homeowners’ needs in varying climates with the capability to operate on electric power instead of fossil fuels and withstand colder temperatures. These qualities are part of what has made heat pumps the first-choice solution for government tax programs and sustainability efforts. When you break down the numbers, HVAC is one of the greatest investments for a homeowner beyond buying their home. So the question right now isn’t if a transition to electric HVAC systems is the next best move, it’s when you can make it happen in your own home.
A local professional, like a Trane Comfort Specialist in your area, can help you determine what you need to modernize your home while also helping you navigate the available tax credits and rebates. You can find the Trane Comfort Specialist closest to you here by clicking on “Find a Local Pro.”
