Seattle should educate homeowners on the benefits of heat pumps and efficiency improvements, and publish a list of recommended installers.
There are a few steps the City can take to help homeowners electrify:
Educate homeowners on the benefits of heat pumps
Heat pumps can cool as well as heat, which is a huge benefit as we are increasing subject to more intense heat waves in the summer months.
A new heat pump can be paired with better air filtration, which can be critical if there is smoke from wildfires.
Heat pumps maintain a more even temperature in the home.
Heat pumps are more efficient than gas furnaces.
Heat pumps have a lower lifetime cost for heating and cooling.
Heat pumps are not contributing to air pollution.
Heat pumps do not rely on our aging gas infrastructure.
This education could come in the form of the City doing outreach at events, sponsoring webinars, etc.
Maintain a list of contractors who can do the work
Homeowners go to advisor for heating and cooling is often a company that will advise replacement with gas appliances, and may not be in the business of installing heat pumps. By maintaining its own list, the City gives homeowners a trusted source for doing the work. The city has done this in other areas, for instance for cistern installations.