Michael, general manager of Cozy Home in Flagstaff, described heat pump performance, operating-cost savings and current incentives during a brief presentation. “Heat pumps, generally, for every kilowatt of electricity used, produces 3 kilowatts of heat on average,” he said, adding that performance can range from about 1.2–1.5 on very cold days up to around 5 in warmer conditions.

Why it matters: Heat pumps supply both heating and cooling in one system and can lower household energy bills and carbon emissions when they replace electric baseboard or propane systems. Michael said they do not produce carbon monoxide and require only routine maintenance such as filter cleaning and occasional debris removal from condensers.

Michael defined efficiency terms and sizing priorities. He referred to “COP,” the coefficient of performance, and to HSPF — the Heating Seasonal Performance Factor — and recommended sizing systems based on a home energy audit to determine heating and cooling loads. “We’re up in Flagstaff, so we obviously want a cold weather heat pump,” he said, noting local winters produce a longer heating season: “We’re heating for maybe 6, 7 months of the year. Cooling is generally only about 1, maybe 2 months of the year.”

On incentives, Michael said multiple programs can be stacked: a city rebate that he said begins July 1, a $2,000 federal tax credit, and an $8,000 state rebate. He added that the city and state rebates have income limits and said applicants must make “less than a 150% of the average income in Flagstaff” to qualify. He also said the $2,000 federal tax credit “will likely go away at the end of this year.” These details were presented as Michael’s description of available incentives; he did not identify the administering city office, state program name, or provide documentation during the remarks.

Discussion versus decision: Michael’s remarks were informational. No motion, vote, direction to staff, or formal action was recorded in the transcript.

Practical advice: Michael recommended that homeowners begin with a home energy audit so installers can size a cold-climate heat pump correctly and select products with appropriate COP and HSPF ratings for Flagstaff’s climate. He noted the greatest operating-cost savings typically occur when replacing electric baseboard heat or propane systems.

The presentation did not specify the year for the July 1 city rebate start date, the exact state program name administering the $8,000 rebate, or whether the federal tax credit amount is already enacted or proposed; those items would require verification with program administrators before a homeowner applied.