Heat Pump Demand Rises Nationwide, Echoed in Eagle County

US Heat Pump Sales Double in 15 Years, Outpacing Fossil Fuel Furnaces

US citizens are embracing clean energy and electrification at an accelerated pace, with many turning to heat pumps as a part of the solution. A recently released report details this trend, indicating that heat pump sales in the country have increased twofold over the last decade and a half.

Research conducted by the Build Decarbonization Coalition revealed that, during the first three months of 2026, the number of heat pump shipments surpassed fossil fuel furnaces by 32%. Additionally, the difference in sales between heat pumps and air conditioners was only 2%. The report projected that heat pumps are poised to become the leading primary system installed in new homes.

Local Initiatives Supporting Shift to Heat Pumps

Local initiatives are playing a significant role in promoting this switch to heat pumps. In Eagle County, for instance, rebate programs, energy coaching, and contractor referrals are being provided to ensure residents have the necessary resources and support to incorporate cold-climate heat pumps into their homes. These types of heat pumps are designed to operate efficiently at low temperatures and high altitudes.

Courtney Bryan, an energy program coordinator at Walking Mountains, a nonprofit organization, explained that their efforts aim to facilitate the implementation of Eagle County’s Climate Action Plan. The plan sets ambitious goals to reduce local greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2030 and 80% by 2050, using 2014 levels as a baseline.

“We’re generally focusing on beneficial electrification. And that’s replacing sources of fossil fuels in our homes in ways that are the most beneficial for homeowners. That’s including health, sustainability and personal finances,” Bryan elaborated.

Financial Incentives Drive Heat Pump Adoption

Financial incentives have been instrumental in driving the adoption of heat pumps. Walking Mountains offers electrification support programs, such as the Energy Smart Colorado rebate program. This program provides rebates that are funded by the Eagle County government to offset the cost of installing heat pumps, which are typically expensive.

In just this year, Bryan reported that heat pump rebate applications accounted for almost half of all rebate applications received. “It’s insane how efficient that these have gotten, and how well they work in cold climates, and even up in elevation,” she commented.

Similarly, Holy Cross Energy, a partner of Walking Mountains, has noticed a surge in interest in heat pumps. Kyle Lord, a smart energy and building specialist at HCE, attributed this trend to two factors. The first is the Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates Program at the Colorado Energy Office, which incentivizes homeowners to update their HVAC to an all-electric heat pump. The second factor is the increasing local need for cooling and comfort, driven by summer heatwaves, rising gas prices, and the warmest winter on record.

Local HVAC Companies Report Increased Interest in Heat Pumps

The rapid growth in heat pump adoption is also reflected in the operations of local HVAC companies. According to Justin Nielsin from Skyline Mechanical, 90% of the systems they are installing, either new or retrofitted, include heat pump technology. He mentioned that they hardly work with air conditioners anymore due to the efficiency and competitiveness of heat pumps.

R & H Mechanical, another local HVAC firm, reported a similar trend. Vice President of Operations, Tim Braun, confirmed that there’s “no question” about the increased use of heat pumps in Eagle County. He noted that rebate incentives have made cold-climate heat pumps more affordable, leading to a significant increase in both sales leads and actual projects. Braun estimated that the number of heat pumps they’ve installed has almost doubled.

Furthermore, R & H Mechanical has set up a trade school in partnership with Colorado Mountain College. This program aims to create a climate-ready workforce and equips students with the skills needed to install heat pump systems. Braun hailed it as “the first of the Western Slopes of Colorado.” He added, “We are here locally training green jobs and our future workforce to be able to support and install cold-climate heat pumps in the future.”