A push to electrify buildings to reduce carbon emissions, the increasing availability of renewably-generated electricity and a drop in installed cost are increasing demand for heat pump systems, according to an article from Building Operating Management on the FacilitiesNet website.
Part of the growth of heat pumps is related to avoiding carbon emissions, because heat pumps do not burn fossil fuels for heat production.
In addition, when electricity is provided by on-site photovoltaics, or is purchased from renewable sources, the technology’s carbon emission avoidance impact is magnified, the article said.
Shipments of heat pumps have grown by about 50 percent over the past seven years, whereas natural gas boilers and furnaces have grown by about 30 to 35 percent, and oil boilers and furnaces have dropped dramatically, by 30 to 50 percent.