Boston Bets on Window Heat Pumps to Decarbonize Public Housing by 2030
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A new approach to energy efficiency is taking shape in Boston, with city officials turning to innovative window heat pumps as a key component in their ambitious plan to decarbonize public housing by the end of the decade.
Boston is accelerating its efforts to reduce carbon emissions from its public housing stock, and the latest strategy centers on a surprisingly simple solution: electric heat pumps designed to fit directly into apartment windows. Last week, the Boston Housing Authority announced a pilot program at Hassan Apartments, a 50-year-old community housing 100 older adults and individuals with disabilities.
The new appliances, manufactured by California-based startup Gradient, are designed for ease of installation. They plug into standard 120-volt outlets and are intended to replace the buildings’ existing, less efficient electric-resistance heating systems. “We believe that low-income people and the families and individuals who live in our buildings deserve access to 21st-century technologies and home comforts, just like anyone else out there,” a senior official stated. “We’re also doing our part to reduce air pollution and combat climate change.”
The Boston Housing Authority has initially ordered 100 of the window units for the Hassan Apartments project. The initiative is not limited to Boston, however. Two additional Massachusetts housing authorities – the Chelsea Housing Authority, testing approximately 400 units, and the Lynn Housing Authority & Neighborhood Development, piloting around 200 units, with half already installed – are also participating in the rollout, according to a company release.
The Promise of Efficient Electrification
Heat pumps, fundamentally reversible air conditioners, are increasingly recognized as a crucial technology for electrifying the heating sector. Beyond providing efficient warmth, they offer potentially life-saving cooling capabilities. Unlike traditional heating systems that generate heat, heat pumps operate by transferring existing heat, resulting in efficiencies typically two to four times greater than electric-resistance or fossil fuel-based alternatives. Gradient asserts that its heat pumps also outperform conventional window air conditioning units by roughly 50% in energy efficiency.
However, widespread adoption of conventional heat pump systems can be hampered by significant logistical challenges. Retrofitting buildings often necessitates costly electrical upgrades and the installation of new refrigerant lines extending to individual air-handling units within each apartment. Window heat pumps offer a potential workaround, sidestepping these complex installation hurdles, even if some efficiency trade-offs may be involved.
Speed and Cost Advantages
The streamlined installation process translates to faster deployment and lower costs, with minimal disruption to residents. According to estimates, two workers can install one of Gradient’s 140-pound heat pumps in approximately 30 minutes, simply by securing its unique saddle shape across a windowsill. A study published in July by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) further supports this claim, finding that window heat pumps represent the lowest-cost option for decarbonizing space heating, with an average lifetime cost of around $14,500 per apartment. This compares favorably to the $22,000 to $30,000 price tag associated with large-scale heat pump systems.
The Boston Housing Authority’s pilot program represents a significant step toward a more sustainable and equitable future for its residents, demonstrating the potential of innovative technologies to address the urgent challenges of climate change and energy affordability.
