Why heat pumps are still so hot in the US
Despite the expiration of federal tax credits at the end of 2025, heat pump sales in the US continue to rise, outpacing traditional natural-gas furnaces. The growth is attributed to the long-term efficiency and cost-saving benefits of the technology compared to fossil fuel heating.
Why it matters
The sustained adoption of heat pumps suggests a market-driven shift toward building decarbonization that persists even without direct government financial incentives.
A key tax credit in the US ended, but heat pump sales are still going strong.
It feels as if it should be illegal to even think about heating appliances during the height of summer—seriously, these heat waves in New York have been brutal—but we need to talk about heat pumps.
The appliances use electricity for heating, they’re incredibly efficient, and they’re on the rise. (For what it’s worth, many heat pumps can also be run in reverse to cool buildings.) In the US, heat pump sales have doubled over the past 15 years, according to a new report . And they’re winning the heating race against fossil fuels, outpacing natural-gas furnaces by 32% during the first quarter of 2026.
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