Heat pumps are becoming more popular in the Northwest as the government promotes their energy efficiency and climate benefits. But the transition to heat pumps will be far from easy due to their high cost, a delay in federal rebates and the HVAC industry's lack of know-how and labor shortages.
The Oregonian/OregonLive interviewed multiple families around the state who have recently installed heat pumps. The vast majority removed a gas furnaces or an electric furnace, though a few kept a backup source of heat.