Here are 5 vital things you need to know about heat pumps
Electrek spoke with Heidi Gehring, associate director, cooling product marketing at Carrier HVAC, about the five essential things to know about this energy-efficient, cost-effective way to heat and cool a home.
Electrek: What’s a heat pump and how does it work?
Heidi Gehring: A heat pump is often mistaken for an air conditioner at first glance. What makes it different from an air conditioner is that it can both heat and cool your home using electricity and refrigerant.
In cooler months, heat is pulled from the outdoor air and transferred indoors; in warmer months, the system pulls heat out of the indoor air. Heat pumps have both an indoor and outdoor component. Each unit contains a fan and coil that operates either as a condenser (in cooling mode) or an evaporator (in heating mode). The fan moves the air across the coil and throughout the ducts in the home.
Electrek: Do heat pumps save you money, and what kinds of cost savings can be expected?
Heidi Gehring: Because heat pumps are more energy efficient, they can save you money on your heating and cooling bills. Your savings will vary based on the model you select.
Heat pumps are rated by their Heating Seasonal Performance Factor (HSPF2) – which is a measure of a heat pump’s overall energy efficiency during the heating season – their Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER2), and their Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER2). The higher the rating, the more energy-efficient the system.
Additionally, the US government’s Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 includes incentives for the installation of high-efficiency home heating and cooling products, including up to a $2,000 tax credit for high-efficiency heat pumps and up to 30% for geothermal heat pump systems placed in service between 2022 and 2032. Look into local and state programs, too, as many utilities and local governments offer heat pump rebates.
Electrek: Why is a heat pump better for the environment?
Heidi Gehring: Heat pumps rely on electricity rather than fossil fuels, making them a much greener choice. Improvements in technology in recent years also mean that heat pumps are more efficient than ever, requiring less electricity than older heaters, furnaces, and air conditioners.
Geothermal heat pumps are also available – they pull energy directly from the earth to heat or cool your home and can result in up to 70% savings on your energy bill.
Electrek: What features should you consider when comparing different models?
Heidi Gehring: Heat pumps vary in the number of stages or speeds they offer. Different speeds or stages can affect your comfort and the consistency of indoor temperature. Humidity plays a major role but is often overlooked. Two-stage and variable-speed offer better control because they operate for a longer period of time at lower speeds and use less energy. These pull more humidity out of the air than models with a single-stage compressor.
Variable-speed and two-stage models are generally quieter than single-stage models, and because they run longer, that means the air is run through the filter more, so it has less chance of becoming stagnant.
Electrek: When is the best time of year to install a heat pump?
Heidi Gehring: Usually in the spring or fall. During the coldest winter months and hottest summer months, demand for systems and technicians increases, so you may experience longer wait times and higher prices. Make sure you hire a professional. HVAC systems of any kind require expert knowledge for installation and are not a good DIY project.
If you’re switching from a traditional HVAC system to a heat pump, you may also need electrical upgrades. A professional HVAC installer can help you with that as well.
Read more: This award-winning apartment heat pump can fit under a kitchen sink
Photo: Carrier HVAC
Heidi Gehring is the associate director, cooling product marketing at Carrier HVAC. She joined Bryant in 2017 as the quality manager for warranty, data analytics, and field service technology. In 2019, she moved into product marketing. She holds a bachelor’s degree in industrial and systems engineering from the University of Wisconsin Madison and an MBA from Purdue Global.
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Environment
Gotrax S3 Fat Tire e-bike $464, WORX 1,800 PSI pressure washer $108, Anker Everfrost 2 up to $350 off, more
As we continue to make our way through a new week, more deals have emerged. Today’s headliners range from an already-affordable e-bike that now costs less, a pressure washer to help tidy up your home’s exterior, and a nice selection of portable refrigerators. More specifically, we’re talking about Gotrax’s foldable S3 Fat Tire electric bike down at $464, this WORX 1,800 PSI electric pressure washer for $108, and finally, a variety of models and combo offers on Anker’s EverFrost 2 electric coolers.
Head below for more and, of course, Electrek’s best EV buying and leasing deals. Also, check out the new Electrek Tesla Shop for the best deals on Tesla accessories.
Gotrax’s compact and foldable S3 Fat Tire electric bike drops to $464 at Amazon (Reg. $529)
Now is great time to be enjoying the outdoors and Amazon is here to help with the Gotrax S3 Fat Tire Electric Bike in gray down at $464 shipped. For comparison, this model tends to clock in at $529, so you’re looking at a $65 markdown. Today’s offer is $41 above the all-time low, which hasn’t occured since an off-season discount back in January. Considering the fact that we’re right in the middle of summer now, $65 off what is one of the more affordable e-bikes out there is certainly worth considering. Learn more about what this model is capable of in the details down below.
Outfitted with a peak 750W motor, this compact e-bike can reach up to 20 MPH speeds. You can use it in a pedal-assisted mode to travel “up to 25 miles” or enjoy a pure electric ride for as many as “15.5 miles.” Once the battery is depleted, plug it in and you’ll be ready to go again in roughly 5 hours. I really like the compact nature of this e-bike, and this really rings true given its foldable design, making it easy to pack up and take to a local bike path.
Make your home and patio look as good as new with WORX 1,800 PSI electric pressure washer at $108 (Save 29%)
Over at Amazon you can currently find the WORX 1,800 PSI Electric Pressure Washer for $107.78 shipped. Lately, this unit has been going for around $152 there, but directly from WORX it fetches the full retail price of $180. Today’s offer is the best we’ve tracked at Amazon throughout 2025, with the all-time low of $93 having last landed roughly a year ago. For details about what you can expect from this pressure washer, head down below.
Now that summer is here, this is an ideal time to clear off debris that has been building up on your home, patio, driveway, and more. I own a unit with a similar amount of power that you’ll find in this 1,800 PSI model and it’s offered more than enough power to tidy things up at my home. This unit operates using 1.2 gallons per minute, has a 20-foot hose, as well as a few types of nozzles. Other notable perks include a metal frame and onboard soap tank. Since this unit runs off electricity, you won’t have to worry about stocking up on gas or the mess that it can make.
Anker 58L EverFrost 2 Electric Cooler with 288Wh LFP Battery now $350 off for today only, more
Alongside Anker’s SOLIX early Prime Day sale, we are now tracking hundreds in savings on the brand’s SOLIX EverFrost 2 electric coolers. One standout here comes as part of the Best Buy Deals of the Day with the Anker SOLIX EverFrost 2 58L Electric Cooler that includes one 288Wh LFP battery down at $749.99 shipped. Regularly $1,100, this is up to $350 off the going rate and the lowest price we can find.
This model is currently on sale for $799 directly from the Anker SOLIX site and $800 over at Amazon, both now $50 above the one-day only offer coming from Best Buy. Today’s deal on the dual-zone electric cool is $100 under our Memorial Day mention and lands on par with the exclusive deal we brought you last month (that deal did include the Road Trip accessory kit though).
Either way you’re looking at some of the best prices we have tracked to date on the model above and a few other models in the lineup down below. Running on rechargeable LFP batteries, these coolers are really more like portable fridge and freezer systems to support your summer adventures, off-grid setups year round, and camping trips, some of which coming complete with solar inputs for additional charging options, onboard USB ports for tapping into the battery, and a fold-down tray.
Offers 4 convenient charging methods, ensuring endless power for all your cooling needs. Solar(100W max solar input), wall outlet, car socket, and 60W USB-C. With 3 cooling modes, choose the one that best fits your situation. Cool fast, optimize performance, or conserve power. Max Mode: fastest cooling; Smart Mode: balanced for performance; Eco Mode: most energy-efficient.
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The Chevy Equinox EV, or “America’s most affordable 315+ range EV,” as GM calls it, is red-hot. Thanks to the electric Equinox, Chevy is solidifying its position as the fastest-growing EV brand in the US. The Chevy Equinox EV helped GM’s electric vehicle sales more than double in Q2, but there’s more to the story.
The Chevy Equinox EV is charging up GM’s sales
GM surpassed Ford and Hyundai Motor last year to become the second-best EV seller in the US. This year, it’s closing the gap with Tesla.
Led by the Equinox EV, GM’s EV sales more than doubled in Q2, and Chevy solidified its position as the number two electric vehicle brand.
Chevy’s electric vehicle sales surged 134% in the first half. In Q2, Chevy sold 17,420 Equinox, 6,549 Blazer, and 3,056 Silverado EVs. Through June, GM has now sold 27,749 Equinox, 12,736 Blazer, and 5,439 electric Silverado models. The Chevy Equinox EV is expected to be one of the top three best-selling EVs in the US.
Although Chevy’s new EVs are a hit, they are not the only growth driver behind GM’s success. The American automaker sold a total of 46,280 electric vehicles in Q2, representing a 111% increase from the same period in 2024.
GM’s share of the EV market in Q2 was approximately 16%, with growth across the Chevy, Cadillac, and GMC brands.
Cadillac notched its 12th consecutive quarter of retail sales growth, achieving its highest market share since 2014.
With a full lineup of electric SUVs, including the entry-level (Optiq), midsize (Lyriq), and full-size (Vestiq and Escalade IQ), nearly one in four Cadillac models sold were EVs. GM sold 3,224 Cadillac Optiqs, its new entry-level EV, 5,017 Lyriqs, 1,744 Vistiqs, and 1,810 Escalade IQs in the second quarter.
After launching the new 2026 Sierra EV with an over $27,000 price cut from the 2025 model year, GMC sold over 1,500 electric Sierra models. Even the GMC Hummer EV is seeing more demand, with 4,508 units sold in Q2, up 54% from last year.
Starting at under $35,000 with up to 319 miles of range, it’s no wonder the Equinox EV is selling like hotcakes. With leases starting at just $289 per month, it’s a great deal right now. Who knew an affordable EV with over 300 miles of range would sell?
Looking to test one out for yourself? We can help you get started. You can use our links below to find Chevy, Cadillac, and GMC EVs in your area.
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Environment
Clean energy stocks jump after tax on solar and wind projects is removed from Trump’s big bill
Clean energy stocks rose on Tuesday after a tax on solar and wind projects was removed from the Senate version of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
Shares of NextEra Energy, the largest renewables developer in the U.S., rose nearly 3% after the Senate narrowly passed President Donald Trump’s bill on Tuesday. AES, a leading renewable provider, rose almost 2%. The megabill will now go to the House of Representatives, where lawmakers will consider the Senate’s changes.
The clean energy industry was surprised and outraged to find over the weekend that a tax on wind and solar projects had been inserted into a version of the Senate legislation. The tax applied to projects that use components from foreign entities of concern above a certain threshold. Foreign entities of concern is widely understood to basically refer to China.
The American Clean Power Association and Solar Energy Industries Association told CNBC that the tax was struck from the Senate legislation. ACP had described the tax as punitive and warned that it would add up to $7 billion to the solar and wind industry’s tax burden.
The Invesco Solar ETF (TAN) over the past three months.
The benchmark Invesco Solar ETF (TAN) was up about 4%, while the iShares Global Clean Energy ETF (ICLN) was trading more than 1% higher after the legislation passed.
Shares of First Solar, the largest solar panel manufacturer in the U.S., slipped less than 1%. Sun tracker manufacturers Array Technologies and Nextracker jumped more than 11% and about 5%, respectively.
Residential solar installer Sunrun rose 9% while inverter manufacturers SolarEdge and Enphase were up about 8% and 4%, respectively.
But the Solar Energy Industries Association cautioned that the improvements in the Senate bill are “limited” and the legislation overall is still harmful to renewable energy.
“This legislation undermines the very foundation of America’s manufacturing comeback and global energy leadership,” CEO Abigail Ross Hopper said in a statement. “If this bill becomes law, families will face higher electric bills, factories will shut down, Americans will lose their jobs, and our electric grid will grow weaker.”
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