A Heat Pump Keeps Your Home Cool in the Summer and Warm in the Winter
Energy Smart Eastside Helps people get heat pumps, providing an essential, energy-efficient resource
Although it’s not summertime just yet, temperatures across the Seattle area are heating up. Warm weather is here, and even hotter days are coming. The last few years have seen an increase in extreme heat events across King County leading to more hospitalizations for heat-related illness and even death, including the 2021 heat dome event.
These extreme weather events disproportionately affect lower-income households, children and older adults, people with underlying health conditions, people with disabilities, and homes without air conditioning or access to cooling resources.
Something that can make a significant difference is a heat pump. A heat pump is made of two components (one unit outside and one inside) that moves heat out of your home in the summer and into your home in the winter.
What Are Heat Pumps? | Elevate Quick Takes
Heat pumps offer other benefits like:
- Filtering and purifying the air (great for smoke season)
- Dehumidifying
- Potentially reducing electric bills
Different from a furnace or boiler, a heat pump doesn’t generate heat, it reallocates the heat, making this all-electric system a smarter carbon-free choice.
Energy Smart Eastside, in collaboration with Hopelink, makes energy-efficient heat pumps accessible to low-income households in north and east King County. The program offers qualified homeowners with gas, oil, or wood heat the opportunity to apply to receive a free heat pump, which is administered by Hopelink’s Energy Assistance program.
Energy Smart Eastside, in collaboration with Hopelink, makes energy-efficient heat pumps accessible to low-income households in north and east King County. The program offers qualified homeowners with gas, oil, or wood heat the opportunity to apply to receive a free heat pump, which is administered by Hopelink’s Energy Assistance program.
Energy Smart Eastside is a climate initiative of the East Side Climate Partnership that includes the cities of Bellevue, Issaquah, Kirkland, Mercer Island, Redmond, and Sammamish. This initiative is possible through a combination of former President Biden’s Climate Initiative Act, and former Governor Inslee’s work to increase energy sustainability and electrification work in Washington State. It’s a win for both Eastside residents and broader climate sustainability goals.
“This model of neighboring cities coming together and partnering with Hopelink as the community-based organization that has the infrastructure to support initiatives like this is a best practice model,” said Lucy Pyeatt, Hopelink Director of Energy Programs. “As the cities go to national conferences and are sharing this work, we anticipate it being adopted elsewhere, and that’s been the key to receiving grants to fund this initiative.”
Since its inception, Energy Smart Eastside has:
- Installed over 490 heat pumps
- 69% of those homes with head pumps are low or moderate income
- Averted over 2,000 metric tons of CO₂, with an estimated 23,000 tons averted over the lifetime of the heat pumps
“I am so grateful Hopelink arranged the installation of the heat pump,” said Shahla, a Hopelink client and recipient from the program. “The project moved smoothly, the crew were very professional and pleasant to work with, and they finished the job on time. Since then, my home has a perfect temperature and has kept my family cool this summer.”
Eastside residents are enjoying heating and cooling from efficient electric heat pumps
Energy Smart Eastside’s future goals include broader accessibility to energy-efficient solutions and continued adaptation to evolving community needs. Education remains a cornerstone, with ongoing efforts to address knowledge gaps and optimize the use of heat pumps during varying climate conditions.
Catherine Stroughter, Hopelink Energy Program Resource Specialist, is a key coordinator of the program. She works with clients through outreach, helps them navigate eligibility requirements, coordinates with contractors, and more. “A lot of folks are in disbelief that this is free,” Stroughter said. “[They ask] ‘Am I going to have to pay something later?’ And I say, ‘Nope, this is completely covered.’”
Stroughter said the program is “definitely a blessing” for some clients who worry about the cost of repairing or replacing an aging furnace. In addition to keeping a house cool in the summer and warm in the winter, replacing an old gas furnace with a heat pump also adds value to the home. “If anybody had the opportunity to be a part of Energy Smart Eastside, I would say, ‘Don’t walk, run,’ and get that.
“Catherine’s warmth and deep experience supporting our clients has been incredibly valuable,” said Daniela Romo, Hopelink Energy Program Senior Manager. “Her ability to educate and guide clients through the process has helped us build trust through the installation process, especially with our more vulnerable populations.”
“One thing many clients don’t initially realize is that heat pumps provide both heating and cooling,” Romo added. “We want to make sure they feel confident using their systems in a way that balances comfort and cost. Because our program also administers LIHEAP and PSE HELP able to offer a well-rounded, one-stop service that helps clients both upgrade their systems and manage their ongoing energy costs.”
To find out if getting a heat pump is right for you, head to the Energy Smart Eastside website.