Heat pumps are part of a heating and cooling system for a building. In colder months, a heat pump pulls warm air into buildings; in warmer months, it pushes warm air out of buildings. The way heat pumps transfer heat can help save energy, lower energy bills and improve indoor air quality.

There are different types of heat pumps and different factors to consider when selecting the best heat pump for your building – including the size of the building and the local climate. For an overview of different heat pumps, visit the Department of Energy’s resource page here.

You can also view product evaluations on the Empower Procurement website.

The best way to ensure your heat pump operates correctly – and the best way to save energy and money year-round – is to have a skilled, trained and certified workforce perform the assessment, installation and repair. Improper installation can reduce efficiency by as much as 30%. In some cases, tax credits for heat pump installation can significantly increase if you pay prevailing wages and use skilled, trained and certified workers. Click here to locate these workers in your community.

Heat pumps can help reduce cooling and heating costs. The Inflation Reduction Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law include funding for all types of buildings — both commercial and residential — to make energy efficiency upgrades. See this fact sheet for an overview of tax credits and rebates that homeowners and other building owners can take advantage of to install heat pumps. Click here for a full overview of the funding available to help building owners make buildings more energy efficient, improve indoor air quality and reduce energy bills.