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The 2023 National Association of Realtors (NAR) Profile of Homebuyers and Sellers reveals that a significant 82% of homeowners are keen on reducing heating and cooling costs. This insight aligns with the growing interest in heat pumps, a technology that promises significant cost savings and efficiency in home heating and cooling.
For real estate agents, understanding and communicating the benefits of heat pumps – energy savings, enhanced indoor air quality, and comfort – is vital, especially given this rising interest in the technology. Agents can play a crucial role in educating clients about these sustainable and efficient home heating solutions. Here are a few quick facts to help you start the conversation with your clients about heat pumps.
Unlike traditional furnaces that use fossil fuels like natural gas, oil, or propane, heat pumps utilize electricity. Not only do they heat homes, but they also double as air conditioners, cooling homes effectively. This dual function is increasingly important as more states and localities shift towards electrification. With the Inflation Reduction Act funneling rebates and tax credits towards heat pump installation, their prevalence is expected to surge.
Improved Indoor Air Quality
One of the most notable benefits of heat pumps, beyond their efficiency, is the improvement in indoor air quality. Heat pumps operate without combustion, thus eliminating the emission of carbon monoxide and other gases that can degrade indoor air quality. Their functionality is straightforward: they transfer heat from one place to another. This process is more efficient and cleaner compared to traditional furnaces.
Comfortable Living
From a comfort perspective, heat pumps distribute heat more gradually than furnaces. While the air from a furnace feels warmer to the touch due to shorter, more intense heating cycles, heat pumps provide a consistent temperature, avoiding significant temperature fluctuations. Many homeowners find this consistent heating more comfortable.
Cutting Costs by Half
Efficiency-wise, heat pumps are remarkable. The Department of Energy notes that they can reduce electricity use for heating by about 50% compared to electric resistance heating systems like furnaces. Efficiency ratings, indicated by HSPF or SEER numbers, are key to understanding a heat pump's performance. ENERGY STAR® qualified heat pumps ensure high efficiency and eligibility for tax credits and rebates.
Choosing the right heat pump involves considering a home’s specific needs, budget, and location. Thankfully, you and your clients don’t have to decipher the best path forward alone. Green Door is a free app from Pearl Certification, where homeowners can log in to learn more about heat pumps, identify rebate and tax programs in their area, generate a customized Pearl Home Investment PlanTM and find qualified contractors, like the ones selected for the elite Pearl Network, to guide them through making the right choice.
Real Estate Agents who want to learn more about Pearl Certification and the high-performing homes market should join our free network for agents by completing the form below:
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