US heat pump sales close gap with air conditioners as market shifts

Sales of heat‑pump appliances in the United States are on the verge of matching those of conventional air conditioners. Data from the Air‑Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute show heat‑pump sales up about 1 % year‑over‑year through April, while air‑conditioner sales fell nearly 8 %. The trend reflects broader adoption driven by improved cold‑weather performance, efficiency gains of two‑to‑four times over fossil‑fuel heating, and incentives from states, utilities and former federal programs.

The rise of heat pumps comes amid a historic increase in extreme heat events. Earlier in the century, before modern air‑conditioning became common, Americans cooled homes with ice blocks, handheld fans and fire‑less cookers. Those historical practices underscore how essential cooling has become and highlight the climate benefits of replacing high‑emission heating with reversible heat‑pump systems.

The shift could significantly reduce residential heating emissions, as heating accounts for one of the largest sources of carbon output in the country.