Heat Pumps: Save Lives, Slash Bills, Cut Carbon

This is a guest post from Chris Gusen, Canada Senior Digital and Communications Specialist at the non-profit organization 350.org.

As communities across Canada experience another summer of scorching heat waves, memories of the devastating 2021 BC Heat Dome loom large. Tragically, over 619 lives were lost in British Columbia during that event, especially in lower-income and racialized communities where inadequate housing and lack of access to indoor cooling exacerbated the dangers of extreme heat.

This crisis reminds us of the urgent need for effective, accessible solutions to protect ourselves from extreme weather events caused by climate change. To protect lives, we must make our homes future-proof with technologies that not only mitigate heat but also contribute positively to our climate goals. Enter the heat pump! Heat pumps not only provide year-round comfort but also contribute to energy savings and environmental sustainability.

The Heat Pump - A Win-Win-Win Solution

Unlike traditional air conditioning units, which are often power-hungry and inefficient, heat pumps are a sustainable way to meet both cooling and heating needs. They work by transferring heat from one location to another using a small amount of electricity, making them far more energy-efficient than conventional systems.

Thanks to their high efficiency and modest energy needs, heat pumps are a win-win-win:

• They provide life-saving cooling to your home (as well as heating in the winter!.
• They will lower your electricity bills over time compared to traditional cooling and heating systems.
• They produce significantly fewer greenhouse gas emissions than other cooling and heating methods, reducing the future impacts of climate change.

How a Heat Pump Works

Heat pumps operate on the principle of transferring heat into or out of your home as needed, using refrigerant fluid and a compressor to absorb heat just like an air conditioner or refrigerator does. During summer, the pump extracts unwanted heat from indoors and releases it outside, cooling the interior. In winter, the cycle reverses, extracting heat from the outdoor air (even in cold temperatures) to warm indoor spaces. Moving heat in this way is much more efficient than generating it directly, making heat pumps 300% more efficient than baseboard heaters and furnaces.

Those Who Have One Swear By It

People who have adopted heat pumps praise their reliability, efficiency, and the comfort they provide. They often highlight how these systems provide consistent temperature control without the noise and inefficiency associated with window air conditioning units. Contrary to popular belief, a recent study found that heat pumps outperform gas heating, even in cold winter temperatures.

Want to hear their testimonials firsthand? Check out this 6-minute documentary about a BC housing co-op whose residents installed heat pumps just months before the 2021 Heat Dome and credit that choice with keeping them safe and comfortable throughout that tragic summer. My organization, 350 Canada, produced this documentary as part of our Heat Pumps for All campaign, which is pushing for a new federal program to ensure that everyone can access this technology.

It Can Be Cheap - or Even Free - to Install

Research shows that, on average, the lifetime cost of a standard heat pump with electric backup is 13 percent less than a gas furnace with air conditioning. But that’s not the only way you can save money with a heat pump.

Governments and utility companies are increasingly offering incentives to encourage the adoption of heat pumps. Rebate programs subsidize the initial cost of installation, making it more affordable for homeowners and renters alike. Additionally, zero-interest loans are available to finance any remaining cost, which can be offset by energy savings over time. These programs are a start, but to accelerate the adoption of heat pumps, we need our political leaders to go further. That’s why at 350 Canada, we are pushing for a federal universal heat pump program that would provide equitable access to this technology, particularly for renters and marginalized communities most at risk during heat waves. We were inspired by the free heat pump program that already exists on Prince Edward Island, which we profiled in another short documentary as part of the Heat Pumps for All campaign.

Not sure what programs you can access? Create a Paddio account in a few clicks and they will guide you through your options!

Now is the Right Time to Get a Heat Pump

As heat waves and other extreme weather events intensify with climate change, there is urgency to future-proof your home! Services like Paddio can guide you through the whole process, from getting a home evaluation to choosing the right home upgrades and finding ways to finance them.

Heat pumps represent a significant step forward in safeguarding public health, reducing energy consumption, and mitigating climate impacts. Let’s make them available to all!

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‍Author Bio:
Chris Gusen, Canada Senior Digital and Communications Specialist at 350.org Canada.
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Chris Gusten is the Canada Senior Digital and Communications Specialist at 350.org, an international non-profit dedicated to transitioning the world to renewable energy by empowering people to end fossil fuel usage. With over a decade of experience across higher education, economic development, government, and civil society, Chris now focuses on driving the urgent changes needed to tackle climate change.