Pumping Up the Market

Approximately one million households in the Northwest are candidates for energy-saving ductless heat pumps to displace the primary heating in the home. According to NEEA’s latest figures, around 100,000 of these homes have installed a ductless system. Thanks to continued improvements in heat pump energy performance and increased interest in air conditioning, adoption has increased steadily since the NW Ductless Heat Pump Project kicked off in 2010. However, future market growth faces two significant obstacles: high installation costs and a lack of awareness of the features and benefits of heat pumps.

The NW Ductless Heat Pump Project and utilities are actively working together to address obstacles in the Northwest. Regional efforts include:

• Educating contractors who are new to ductless heat pumps about the benefits of these systems
• Helping homeowners understand whether their homes are ideal candidates for a ductless heat pump and how to navigate the purchasing process
• Sharing best practices with community organizations that are designing bulk-purchase programs
• Provide installation best practices for installers to ensure maximum comfort alongside minimal operation and maintenance costs
• Offering incentives to offset first costs
• Conducting research to identify characteristics of quality installations to improve energy efficiency, occupant comfort, and install costs.

Stay tuned for new resources from your local utility program and GoingDuctless.com over the course of the summer to drive ductless heat pump demand in your market.

Learn more about the global heat pump market here.