New research from the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) underscores the significant financial and energy benefits of transitioning Texas households from inefficient electric resistance heating to heat pumps. The findings reveal that Texas residents could collectively save billions in utility bills and reduce the strain on the state’s power grid by adopting this efficient technology.
According to the report, Texas households that replace electric resistance heaters with heat pumps can save an average of over $300 annually on utility bills. If a quarter of all Texas homes and apartments currently using electric resistance heating made the switch, it would reduce peak winter electricity demand by an amount equal to the output of 40 new gas-fired power plants.
Key Findings:
- Rapid Payback: The upfront cost of switching from a central air conditioner paired with electric resistance heating to a heat pump is an average of $697 higher, but it results in yearly utility savings of $310, recouping the investment in just over two years.
- Significant Long-Term Savings: Over a 15-year period—the typical lifespan of an air conditioning unit—households making the switch would see net savings nearing $4,000.
- Statewide Energy and Cost Benefits: Statewide adoption would lead to almost 7 billion kilowatt-hours of annual electricity savings, equivalent to the consumption of 660,000 average American homes. Additionally, utility bills would collectively drop by nearly $1 billion each year.
Grid Benefits: The adoption of heat pumps would cut winter peak demand by approximately 12,000 megawatts—comparable to the output of 40 new gas-fired power plants of 300 megawatts each. This reduction would translate into avoided construction costs for power plants exceeding $5 billion, benefiting Texas electric customers by averting further charges for power generation and distribution.
Challenges and Policy Recommendations: Texas has struggled with increasing electric demand, highlighted by the record winter peak during January’s extreme cold spell. Historically focused on summer peaks, the state’s grid resilience during winter has become a growing concern, particularly following the 2021 winter storm Uri.
To address these challenges, the report advocates for policymakers, regulators, and utilities to:
- Expand heat pump incentive programs like those of CenterPoint Energy, which currently prioritizes low-income households in Houston and surrounding areas.
- Direct federal funding from the Home Energy Rebate program toward homes currently relying on electric resistance heating.
- Update building codes to phase out electric resistance heating in new homes, following examples set by jurisdictions such as Georgia, Florida, and Austin.
Compelling Returns on Investment: The financial return on investing in heat pumps is impressive. For an existing home, the return is 49%, while new construction sees a return of 103%. These figures far outpace the 30-year average annual return of 11% on the S&P 500.
Conclusion: The ACEEE report highlights the immense potential for Texas households to benefit from heat pump technology, not only through significant cost savings but also by contributing to grid stability and environmental sustainability. By taking proactive steps, Texas can lead the way in modernizing home heating while securing economic and energy advantages for its residents.