ACEEE: "Study: New Heat Pump Type Is Lowest-Cost Decarbonization Option for Big Apartment Buildings." Report from the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) "recommends that, in most cases, building owners seeking to decarbonize should consider these heat pumps along with mini-split + central air-to-water heat pumps, with the best choice often based on building-specific characteristics." The window heat pump straddles the window sill, leaving most of the view outside unobstructed, plugs into a standard 120-volt outlet, uses variable-speed compressors providing consistent temperatures + reducing on/off cycling—and it is quiet.
'The study analyzed upfront costs + operating costs over 24 yrs, finding that window heat pumps are the least expensive decarbonization option, costing an average of...$14,500 per apartment for purchase and operation...[while] central air-to-water heat pumps cost an average not quite $22,000 per apartment, + mini-split heat pumps come in at just over $25,000.' Key in our warming world is that heat pump cooling is available during hot summers.
"About 23 M U.S. homes are in existing multifamily buildings with 5 or more units...ACEEE’s new report focused on the 36% of those apartments that are served by central heating." For 'decarbonization of large apartment buildings, the report calls on policymakers + regulators to expand support for energy efficiency measures like improving insulation and other building envelope upgrades.' Accompanying policies facilitating the transition comprise 'electric rates that encourage heat pumps based on the cost of service, additional financial incentives for electrification + efficiency measures, plus putting a price on carbon emissions to reflect the damage from fossil fuel combustion + help pay for heat pump incentives.' Efficiency measures trump all: faster, easier, cheaper + typically permanent. This is just as cool an idea as the balcony solar I posted about recently—as long as you have 2 windows, at least 1 facing south.
