Ten of the world’s largest manufacturers and suppliers of building heating and cooling equipment have pledged to support California’s goal of installing six million electric heat pumps by 2030. The manufacturers, including A. O. Smith Corporation, Carrier, Daikin, Fujitsu, and Johnson Controls, have committed to creating the manufacturing capacity necessary to achieve this target and ensuring that heat pumps are grid-friendly and energy-efficient. They will also collaborate with the California Energy Commission (CEC) to develop a public-private partnership to facilitate policy and market support for heat pumps. This commitment is part of California’s plan to achieve carbon neutrality by mid-century.
The pledge is seen as a significant step towards electrifying buildings and reducing carbon emissions in California. Heat pumps are highly efficient electric technology that produce fewer emissions compared to traditional heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems and water heaters. Currently, there are over 1.5 million heat pumps installed throughout California, with a market share of 55 percent for heat pump space heaters and 16 percent for heat pump water heaters in new single-family homes. The commitment by these manufacturers will ensure wider availability and consumer understanding of the benefits of heat pumps, contributing to California’s clean energy future.
This pledge builds on existing policies and programs implemented by the CEC, California Air Resources Board, California Public Utilities Commission, and Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development. It will be supported by the California Climate Commitment and Federal Inflation Reduction Act, which will provide $1.5 billion in funding for efforts to reduce emissions from buildings. The collaboration between industry and government is crucial in aligning policy with practical solutions and accelerating the adoption of heat pumps as a key strategy in achieving California’s carbon neutrality goal.
