Heat pumps are an energy upgrade for homeowners that’s becoming a climate and financial winner
Heat pumps are becoming more popular for residential housing with energy prices increasing and the need to reduce use of fossil fuel heating systems.
Andrew Aitchison | In Pictures | Getty Images
Thinking about a home heat pump? New and expanded government incentives, coupled with sharply rising utility costs, make it more compelling.
Especially when used in connection with clean electricity sources like rooftop or community solar, a heat pump — a single electric appliance that can replace a homeowner’s traditional air conditioner and furnace system — can warm and cool a home with less planetary harm.
These investments are becoming more appealing to consumers, too, given inflation’s heavy hand. A whopping 87% of U.S. homeowners surveyed said they experienced higher prices in at least one household service or utility category over the summer, according to SaveOnEnergy.com. There’s another possible bonus: Incentives being offered through the recently passed Inflation Reduction Act of 2022.
“These incentives are not only saving you money now and in the long run on your utility bills, but they are putting our economy on track to reduce consumption of fossil fuels that contribute to climate change,” said Miranda Leppla, director of the Environmental Law Clinic at Case Western Reserve University School of Law. “It’s a win-win.”
The use of heat pumps will become more common as governments legislate their adoption. Washington State recently mandated that new homes and apartments be constructed with heat pumps. In July, California Governor Gavin Newsom announced a goal of 3 million climate-ready and climate-friendly homes by 2030 and 7 million by 2035, supplemented by 6 million heat pumps by 2030.
Here are four important things to know about upgrading your home to a heat pump system.
Heat pump cost, savings and efficiency considerations
Heat pumps are appropriate for all climates and are three to five times more energy efficient than traditional heating systems, according to Rewiring America, a nonprofit focused on electrifying homes, businesses and communities.
Rather than generating heat, these devices transfer heat from the cool outdoors into the warm indoors and vice versa during warm weather. Heat pumps rely on electricity instead of natural gas or propane, both of which have a higher carbon emission than renewable electricity such as wind or solar, said Jay S. Golden, director of the Dynamic Sustainability Lab at Syracuse University.
With installation, heat pumps can range from around $8,000 to $35,000, depending on factors such as the size of the home and heat pump type, according to Rewiring America, but it estimates the savings could amount to hundreds of dollars per year for an average household. What’s more, it’s a long-term play, since heat pumps that most people will consider installing have an average lifespan of 10 to 15 years, according to Rewiring America.
Electricity costs also tend to be more stable, insulating consumers against gas price volatility, said Joshua Skov, a business and government consultant on sustainability strategy who also serves as an industry mentor and instructor at the University of Oregon.
“While there’s an upfront cost, millions of homeowners would save money with a heat pump over the life of the device,” he said. “You’ll save even more with the federal government covering a chunk of the upfront cost.”
Inflation Reduction Act incentives
The Inflation Reduction Act — an expansive climate-protection effort by the federal government — includes multiple incentives to lower the cost of energy-saving property improvements. These incentives significantly exceed what’s available to homeowners today, said Jono Anzalone, a lecturer at the University of Southern Maine and the executive director of The Climate Initiative, which empowers students to tackle climate change.
For low-income households, the Inflation Reduction Act covers 100% of the cost of a heat pump, up to $8,000. For moderate-income households, it covers 50% of your heat pump costs, up to the same dollar limit. Homeowners can use a calculator — such as the one available from Rewiring America — to determine their eligibility.
If you’re considering multiple green home improvements, keep in mind that the law’s overall threshold for “qualified electrification projects” is up to $14,000 per household.
Federal tax credits for homeowners
For those who exceed the income threshold for a rebate, there’s the option, starting Jan. 1, to take advantage of the nonbusiness energy property credit, commonly referred to as 25C, said Peter Downing, a principal with Marcum LLP who leads the accounting firm’s tax credits and incentives group.
Homeowners can receive a 30% tax credit for home energy efficiency projects such as heat pumps. In a given year, they can get a credit of up to $2,000 for installing certain equipment such as a heat pump. This credit will expire after 2032, according to the Congressional Research Service.
There can be another tax credit to homeowners who purchase a geothermal heat pump, which is a more expensive, but longer-lasting option on average. Homeowners can receive an uncapped 30% tax credit for a geothermal heating installation, according to Rewiring America, which estimates an average geothermal installation costs about $24,000 and lasts twenty to fifty years. That means the average tax credit for this type of pump will be around $7,200, Rewiring America said.
The ventilation system of a geothermal heat pump located in front of a residential building.
Picture Alliance | Picture Alliance | Getty Images
Rulemaking is still underway for the Inflation Reduction Act. But it is possible eligible consumers will be allowed to receive both a rebate and a credit, Downing said. But the math is not likely to be as straightforward, based on previous IRS guidance on energy rebates backed by the federal government. Say a consumer is entitled to a 50% rebate for a heat pump that costs $6,000. For purposes of the tax credit, the remaining $3,000 could be eligible for a 30% tax credit, resulting in a possible credit of $900, he said.
State and local financial support
States, municipalities and local utility companies may provide rebates for certain efficient appliances, including heat pumps. “Check with all of them because there are so many different levels of programs, you really need to hunt around,” said Jon Huntley, a senior economist at the Penn Wharton Budget Model who co-authored an analysis of the Inflation Reduction Act’s potential impact on the economy.
Also be sure to check back frequently to see what new state, local and utility-based incentives may be available because programs are often updated, Golden said. Reputable local contractors should also know about locally available rebates, he said.
Many installers have aggressive financing packages to make heat pump installation more feasible, Anzalone said.
Several well-known players in the US electric bicycle market have recently joined forces in creative ways. Electric Bike Company, known for its local manufacturing in Southern California, has just announced a major merger with Integral Electrics, an e-bike brand uniquely designing electric bicycles for women and other short statured riders.
Both Electric Bike Company and Integral Electrics have carved out interesting niches in the industry. EBC has become famous for its extremely customizable electric bicycles. Riders can choose everything from the specific paint color to the combination of components and even the material choices – locally manufactured wooden fenders, anyone?
With multiple assembly locations across Newport Beach in Southern California, the local production has allowed EBC to respond quickly to one-of-a-kind builds that are designed by customers on its website or in any of hundreds of dealer locations around the US. The extreme customization has lent itself well to a market where customers often want to create unique bikes that show off personality and character.
Integral Electrics has also found itself an underrepresented market, but this time with a focus on female riders. The brand focuses on making cycling more accessible, regardless of a rider’s gender, height, or cycling experience. The company’s e-bikes are built to fit a wider range of riders, carry multiple children, and make cycling easier for everyone.
The company’s founder and CEO Laura Belmar started Integral Electrics back in 2023 along with co-founder Paul Freedom, relying on her own experience struggling to find a cargo e-bike that she could comfortably ride with her children. A serial entrepreneur with successful ventures already under her belt, Belmar followed her instincts and tapped into that underserved market.
Now Integral Electrics and Electric Bike Company are merging under a single brand, with Integral Electric’s designs joining the EBC family. EBC has several famous models available, but the brand has long skewed more in the direction of cruisers and comfort bikes. The addition of Integral Electric’s cargo bikes and trikes will help further round out the diversity of models offered.
“Integral’s emphasis on female riders and on cargo e-bikes is a welcome addition to the EBC family,” said EBC founder and CEO Sean Lupton-Smith. “We want to stay on the cutting edge of where the e-bike market is headed, and Integral’s innovative approach helps push us forward.”
And with EBC’s local manufacturing, those bikes will be made closer to home than ever. “Building in the USA also has distinct safety advantages,” explained Belmar. “From my first visit to Electric Bike Company’s California factory, I have been indelibly impressed by the emphasis on quality and safety. Shipping bikes fully built and inspected is so much safer for customers. Electric Bike Company has already achieved one of our long-held aspirations. I’m honored to be part of this team.”
In a climate of tariff uncertainty, the ability to build and assemble bikes locally is becoming even more advantageous. “As tariffs, regulation and competition put pressure on the e-bike industry, Sean’s focus on customization and safety at Electric Bike Company was prescient,” added Freeman. “As we look around the industry, it’s clear that he has built a business that is well-positioned to meet this moment.”
As part of the merger, Belmar will assume the role of President and Chief Commercial Officer at EBC, and Integral Electrics’ Advisor Michael Edwards will join the EBC board.
The news of the merger follows quickly behind another major EBC partnership that saw Pedego ink a licensing deal with the brand to leverage EBC’s customization strengths to produce unique customer-designed Pedego e-bikes.
In addition to rolling out EBC’s Design Wall at many of Pedego’s stores, allowing customers to visually construct any e-bike combination right there in real-time on a large touchscreen, the partnership adds Pedego’s 150+ stores to EBC’s 250+ dealer network, giving customers access to one of the most extensive e-bike sales and service networks in the country.
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Environment
Honda’s $99 Prologue EV lease offer is too good to be true, but it’s still a crazy deal right now
A nearly $50,000 electric SUV for just $99 a month? If that sounds too good to be true, it’s because it kind of is. One Honda dealer is promoting a Prologue lease offer for just $99 for 24 months, but you may have a hard time getting your hands on one.
Honda Prologue EV listed for lease at just $99 per month
Honda’s electric SUV is already one of the most popular EVs in the US. In December, it was the third top-selling electric vehicle trailing only the Tesla Model Y and Model 3.
Since the first models hit the streets last March, the Prologue climbed to become the seventh best-selling EV in 2024, beating out Chevy’s new Equinox EV and even the Rivian R1S.
Although Honda, like most, is offering generous discounts to clear inventory, one dealer is taking it to the extreme.
Buena Park Honda in California is promoting a Honda Prologue lease deal for just $99 for 24 months (plus taxes) with a $3,977 down payment. The crazy low offer is for the 2024 Prologue EX FWD with 10,000 miles a year, but there’s a catch.
For one, there’s only one model listed in its inventory, and it’s the Elite trim, listed at $51,850 (MSRP of $59,350 minus the $7,500 federal EV tax credit). You will also need a trade-in vehicle, including a 2014 or newer Honda or competitor brand.
A salesperson from the dealership told online auto research firm CarsDirect that the EX models are out of stock because they are “really hard to get your hands on.”
Also, if you factor in the down payment and $595 acquisition fee, the effective cost is $295 per month. That’s only slightly better than the official $239 for a 24-month lease offer Honda is promoting. With just $1,499 due at signing, the effective rate is $301 per month, or just $6 more.
| 2024 Honda Prologue trim | Starting Price (w/o $1,395 destination fee) |
Starting price after tax credit (w/o $1,395 destination fee) |
Starting price after tax credit (with $1,395 destination fee) |
EPA Range (miles) |
| EX (FWD) | $47,400 | $39,900 | $41,295 | 296 |
| EX (AWD) | $50,400 | $42,900 | $44,295 | 281 |
| Touring (FWD) | $51.700 | $44,200 | $45,595 | 296 |
| Touring (AWD) | $54,700 | $47,200 | $48,595 | 281 |
| Elite (AWD) | $57,900 | $50,400 | $51,795 | 273 |
Although this is offered in California and other CARB emissions states, the Prologue is on sale in different regions for just $209 for 24 months. With $2,699 due at signing, the effective rate is still just $321 per month.
Honda says the Prologue “delivers the same level of quality, reliability, and performance” you expect from the brand.
Based on GM’s Ultium platform, the electric SUV has an EPA-estimated range of up to 296 miles. Although it shares GM’s tech, Honda fine-tuned the Prologue with an added multi-link front and rear suspension to give it a more “sporty” drive.
The Prologue has more interior space, with 111.7 cu ft of passenger volume, than the Honda CR-V (106 cu ft). It also features an 11.3″ touch-screen infotainment system with built-in Google, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto support, something GM has moved away from.
Ready to find deals in your area? Although it may not be $99, these offers are hard to pass up for a nearly $50,000 electric SUV. Check out our link to find deals on the Honda Prologue near you today.
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