Letter: Heat pumps

I was pleased to see Roper’s article about heat pumps in the Appeal a couple of weeks ago.

Two years ago, I replaced my 25-year-old gas furnace and AC unit with a variable-speed Lennox heat pump. It cost $12,500 – just $500 more than my neighbor spent to replace his failing gas furnace with a new gas furnace.

I have already saved more than $900 in two winters’ reduced energy bills. I will save about $450 a winter going forward. Our heat pump has no gas or electrical resistance backup elements, and it works fine with outside temperatures in the single digits.

One thing I learned in this process is the importance of finding an HVAC contractor that is familiar with heat pumps; several contractors I contacted had never heard of them.

This will change as people realize how much money they will save on energy bills and demand for them increases. Thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act there is a $2,000 tax credit on a new heat pump and starting in early 2025 there will be up to an $8,000 upfront rebate for low-and moderate-income folks.

The IRA also has tax credits and upfront rebates for heat pump hot water heaters and clothes dryers, induction stoves, home weatherization, and electric panel upgrades.

In 2024 I plan to replace my gas water heater with an electric heat pump version – and save more money on my energy bills.

Chas Macquarie

Carson City