Heat pumps
Better heat pumps for commercial buildings are coming soon
The Department of Energy is convening manufacturers and customers like IKEA and Amazon to get next-gen heat pumps ready for commercial rooftops by 2027.
By Alison F. Takemura .
Carbon-free buildings
Policy & regulation
With new draft rules, Vermont’s clean heat standard faces murky future
Last year, Vermont became one of the first states to pass a clean heat law. Now, its regulators and lawmakers are trying to figure out how to implement the policy.
By Carrie Klein .
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Electrification
These startups help busy contractors get electrification rebates faster
Rebates help households pay for solar, heat pumps and other climate-friendly upgrades — but contractors get stuck with the paperwork. These businesses are stepping in.By Alison F. Takemura .
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Geothermal
Geothermal cuts emissions and costs at these Minnesota public schools
With federal incentives, the state’s second-largest school district is using geothermal to revamp school heating and trying out a novel aquifer-based system.By Frank Jossi .
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Carbon-free buildings
Homes need to electrify. New building codes will make that harder
A nonprofit group that sets U.S. building codes has nixed rules to make new homes ready for EVs and heat pumps. Climate advocates blame fossil gas lobbyists.By Jeff St. John .
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Electrification
6 burning questions on home electrification, answered
Solar for renters, heat-pump water heaters, home electrification as a service — it's all here in Electrified Life's first mailbag edition.By Alison F. Takemura .
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Heat pumps
Yes, heat pumps slash emissions even if powered by a dirty grid
Installing a heat pump now is better for the climate, even if you run it on U.S. electricity generated mostly by fossil fuels. Here's why.By Alison F. Takemura .
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Electrification
She’s a clean-energy pro. Electrifying her home was still a slog
In just 15 months, Judy Ko got a heat pump, solar, a home battery, insulation, an EV and more. Here’s what was easy about the process — and what was "just crazy."By Alison F. Takemura .
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Carbon-free buildings
This Colorado community is already living in the all-electric future
In the Geos neighborhood, heat pumps, solar and energy efficiency abound. The net-zero community offers a glimpse into what a decarbonized home can look like.By Alison F. Takemura .
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Heat pumps
Heat pumps outsold gas furnaces again last year — and the gap is growing
While sales of both heat pumps and gas furnaces were down in 2023, heat pumps are proving more popular than ever.By Alison F. Takemura .
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Fossil fuels
New York could rewrite its relationship to fossil gas with this bill
The state needs to downsize its gas infrastructure and electrify its buildings to meet its climate goals. Legislation that would help it do that is gaining momentum.By Dan McCarthy .
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