Survey reveals lack of heat pump awareness
3rd January 2024
USA: A new survey reveals that more than half of homeowners in the USA are not fully aware of heat pumps and their function and therefore have not considered the purchase.
While the survey, conducted on behalf Midea America, the US subsidiary of the Chinese manufacturer, shows a considerable awareness gap of the potential of heat pump technology amongst homeowners and contractors, it also reveals a willingness to embrace heat pumps with proper understanding of the technology.
As in Europe, heat pump adoption showed big increases in the USA last year. With ongoing federal and regional legislation and incentives, the number of adoptions are expected to continue to increase in 2024.
The survey of over 2,000 homeowners and over 1,000 contractors found that while 80% of homeowners claim to know what a heat pump is, 54% were unsure or unknowledgeable about its full capabilities, particularly its ability to provide both heating and cooling.
Specifically, 49% indicated that the main reason they would be hesitant to switch to a heat pump is because they don’t know anything about it.
Just 4% of homeowners were aware of a modern heat pump’s ability to maintain 100% heat output at temperatures as low as -4°F (-20ºC). Only 30% of contractors were aware of the fact.
Around 92% of contractors said they were open to learning more about today’s more efficient heat pump systems to improve installation time and customer satisfaction. Although 84% of contractors reported experience installing/working on heat pumps, 81% expressed the need for better training to install next-generation heat pumps.
Key juncture
“As the next generation of ultra-efficient heat pumps become widely available next year, it’s crucial that consumers understand the performance, benefits and incentives available to them,” said David Rames, Midea America’s senior product manager. “We are at a key juncture in this technology when both contractors and consumers can access a more sustainable future.”
Only 47% of homeowners were aware of the tax credits available through the US Department of Energy’s Inflation Reduction Act, but 68% said they were more likely to consider having a heat pump installed after learning of the financial support.
The survey also reflects a growing readiness among homeowners to embrace heat pump technology. 76% of homeowners said that they are more focused on energy efficiency now than they were five years ago, and 62% were looking into energy-saving solutions around the house.
Amongst millennial homeowners, 28% said they would be willing to invest more than $15,000 if it meant saving money on future energy bills. After learning about performance and cost-saving benefits, 82% of millennial homeowners indicated that they would be more likely to consider getting one.
