Published Monday in the scientific journal Joule, the research found that heat pumps are two to three times more efficient than their oil and gas counterparts, specifically in temperatures ranging from 10 C to -20 C.
Ryan Kelly was already a heat pump advocate when he installed one in his almost century-old home a couple of years ago, but even he was surprised at how well it performed during a cold snap last winter.
Nathan Collett helps make sensible government climate policy. As a policy analyst in the Privy Council Office, this 23-year-old works with a team of social and behavioural scientists to inform Canada’s decision-making so it resonates with the people.
If the entire supply of new central air conditioners was replaced with heat pumps starting in 2025, it would mean cumulative energy bill savings of $10.4 billion across Canada by 2035.
The International Energy Agency finds that heat pumps still reduce GHGs by at least 20 per cent compared to gas, even with emissions‐intensive electricity.
The reduction of GHG emissions achieved when switching from a natural gas water heater to a thermal storage system over a 20-year period is equivalent to the emissions generated driving a Honda Accord over 300,000 kilometres.
Canada's push for a zero-emission electricity grid will get a significant funding boost in the federal budget on March 28, 2023, including with new tax credits expected to encourage the development of renewable power sources like wind and solar.
The European Union presented plans on Thursday to fundamentally revamp its policies on dealing with critical raw materials, imposing limits on imports from countries like China while unleashing subsidies and other financial incentives to ramp up home production.
President Joe Biden persuaded Democrats in Congress to provide hundreds of billions of dollars to fight climate change. Now comes another formidable task: enticing Americans to buy millions of electric cars, heat pumps, solar panels and more efficient appliances.
The movement to protect nature, transition away from fossil fuels and create an equitable society won’t achieve critical mass without supporters, adopters, innovators and foot soldiers.
