Lawmakers and regulators in an increasing number of states, including California and New York, are changing policies to promote the use of electricity instead of fossil fuels to power building heating and hot water systems.
With renewable power continuing to supplant coal-fired electric generation, electric heat pumps are now often the lowest-carbon choice for heating and cooling buildings and providing hot water. Most efficiency policies in most of the country, though, do not include incentives for homeowners or businesses to install these technologies.
Most policies have focused on reducing energy use regardless of the fuel source; not favoring one fuel over another. There have been notable exceptions, though. Regulators and lawmakers in Alaska, California, Massachusetts, New York, Tennessee, and Vermont are encouraging fuel switching or fuel substitution through guidelines. Other states are also considering policies to promote electric heat pumps.
Improvements to a building shell, such as insulation and air sealing, can help reduce overall heating and cooling loads. This, in turn, can help downsize equipment needs and costs for heat pumps.
Related Stories
| Oct 18, 2012
EPA commercial building lead paint rule pushed back to 2015
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's inclusion of commercial buildings in a residential lead paint rule is being delayed until 2015.
| Oct 18, 2012
Chicago pushing green roofs to reduce heat island effect
The city of Chicago has mandated that all new buildings that require any public funds must be LEED certified, usually with a green roof.
| Oct 11, 2012
OSHA launches pilot program for alternative dispute resolution on whistleblower complaints
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is launching an alternative dispute resolution (ADR) pilot program for complaints filed with OSHA's Whistleblower Protection Program.
| Oct 11, 2012
Bill promotes investment in commercial, multifamily retrofits
The Commercial Building Modernization Act recently introduced in the Senate would extend and streamline a current tax deduction to encourage commercial and multifamily residential building owners to perform comprehensive energy-efficient retrofits.
| Oct 11, 2012
Morristown, N.Y., settles code violation dispute with Amish
The town of Morristown, N.Y., has dropped charges of building code violations against local Amish communities to settle a First Amendment complaint.
| Oct 11, 2012
Mesquite, Nev., rebels against state-mandated energy code
The city council of Mesquite, Nev., voted against adopting a new energy efficiency code adopted by the state.
| Oct 11, 2012
Bloomingdale, N.J., restricts ground solar and wind energy installations
The borough of Bloomingdale, N.J., recently adopted regulations for solar-energy and wind energy systems.
| Oct 3, 2012
Bill introduced to extend home energy efficiency tax credit
A bill to extend the expired residential energy efficiency tax credit for installing qualified furnaces, boilers, central air conditioners, and heat pumps was recently filed in the U.S. House of Representatives.
