Oregon pushes new homes to install heat pumps over ACs

Oregon’s Building Code Division board voted 7-1 to adopt new energy-efficiency standards that encourage builders installing air conditioning in new homes to use heat pumps instead of conventional AC units, with rules taking effect in October. The updated code, which aims to help Oregon meet its requirement to reduce energy use in new residential buildings by 60% from 2005 standards by 2030, is expected to cut energy use by 27% compared to the 2023 code and save homeowners approximately $171 annually. Oregon joins California, Colorado, New York, and Washington in promoting heat pump adoption through building codes, part of a broader trend as approximately 25% of Americans now live in jurisdictions that require or encourage zero-emission buildings.