Californians must fund heat pumps

Capitol Weekly welcomes Opinions on California public policy or politics. Click here for more information about submitting an Op-Ed.

OPINION – From Sonoma County’s fog-kissed neighborhoods to the sun-soaked farm-worker apartments of Gilroy, our constituents keep telling us the same thing: they love heat pumps. It’s no surprise heat pumps are wildly popular.

They’re a two-for-one appliance that provides both heating and cooling more efficiently than a gas furnace or old air conditioner can. Their silent, reliable operation keeps babies warm during winter storms, cools seniors through summer heatwaves, and shaves dollars off utility bills throughout the year. It is no wonder that 9 out of 10 homeowners with a heat pump recommend them to others.

As board members for our respective Community Choice Energy providers (CCAs), we love heat pumps because they help avoid rolling blackouts in the heat of summer, mitigate extreme heat risks, and improve local air quality.

The calls we have been fielding are not anecdotal. Heat pump sales were up 62% last year and a recent industry survey of installers found that 70% of contractors who were surveyed said that they believe demand will continue to grow.

Yet every week, frustrated families and local contractors call us about the same maddening problem: California’s heat pump rebate program has run dry—again. In fact, it has run out of funding 26 times in just 3.5 years. This constant start/stop creates uncertainty for suppliers eager to increase stock and small family-owned contractors managing months-long installation waitlists.

This is not how we build a clean energy future. It is how we stall one.

Here’s how lawmakers can help—today. Lock in multi-year funding by appropriating an annual portion of the state’s Cap and Trade proceeds toward heat pump incentives. Earmark a portion of the funds for low-income and heat-vulnerable communities. This is a no regrets move that will create good-paying jobs and improve lives across the state for years to come.

California didn’t become a solar leader by stopping and starting. It did so by making long-term, consistent investments that gave homeowners, workers, and innovators confidence to act. Stability bred innovation and scale, and created thousands of jobs in every corner of the state.

By directing an annual allotment of Cap and Trade proceeds to heat pumps—and eventually refocusing the State’s energy efficiency portfolio toward residents and small businesses who need help keeping utility bills affordable—Sacramento can help make California homes safe, affordable, and livable in the face of extreme heat and rising bills.

The technology is ready. Demand is surging. The missing piece of this puzzle is consistent, dependable state support. We urge Governor Newsom and our colleagues in the Legislature: give this popular, proven solution the stable investment it deserves. Doing so will cut pollution, lower bills, create good jobs, and keep California on the forefront of climate leadership.

Let’s build momentum instead of stalling it. End the incentive roller coaster and give every Californian the comfort and security they deserve. Heat pumps for all!

Brian Barnacle is the Board Chair of Sonoma Clean Power, a Petaluma City Councilmember and a Board Member of the Bay Area Air District.

Zach Hilton is a Board Member of the Silicon Valley Clean Energy and a Gilroy City Councilmember.