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Clean-energy backers and trade groups debate economics and market readiness of AC-to-heat-pump replacement rule
Summary
Sierra Club and other supporters urged the State Building Code Council to adopt an air-conditioner-to-heat-pump replacement standard in commercial and residential codes, citing on-bill savings and climate goals; HVAC distributors and council members raised questions about product availability and test/rating pathways for add-on heat-pump coils.
Representatives of the Sierra Club and other proponents told the State Building Code Council listening session that replacing central air conditioners with heat pumps is an efficient moment to electrify space conditioning and can produce on-bill savings for commercial and residential customers. Dylan Plummer (Sierra Club) and another Sierra Club speaker emphasized California analyses showing favorable on-bill impacts across many climate zones and urged Washington’s council to consider that evidence when evaluating the AC-to-heat-pump replacement standard (residential proposal 19 and related commercial provisions).
Proponents said heat pumps deliver both cooling and heating and can reduce overall operating costs, especially when combined with federal, state or local incentives. They urged the council to view replacement rules as a long-term, economy-wide measure that helps meet Washington’s climate goals while preserving household affordability.
Council members and industry witnesses raised practical concerns. Ken Morgan, an HVAC distributor, told the council that current AHRI testing and rating pathways and recent refrigerant changes have limited the market availability of “add-on” coil-only heat-pump retrofit options; in some cases, full-system replacement or different AHRI testing routes are required. That market constraint could mean higher upfront costs on some retrofit projects. Other council members noted that the commercial proposals include economic modeling and that additional, jurisdiction-specific analyses (including the council’s contracted third-party work) would inform final decisions.
No vote was taken at the listening session; proponents provided general and technical references and said they would submit written analyses where possible. Industry witnesses recommended the council account for both short-term equipment availability and long-term on-bill savings when preparing cost-benefit and small-business economic impact statements.
