Heat pumps are electric appliances that can both heat and cool your home.

Scientists see them as a climate solution because heat pumps reduce planet-heating emissions. They cut pollution from burning gas for heating, and reduce the use of gas infrastructure that leaks planet-heating methane gas.

And heat pumps are highly efficient, which means less electricity is needed to use them than traditional heating systems like fossil fuel furnaces and boilers. Researchers at the Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory calculate that 62% to 95% of households would save money by switching to a heat pump. “ It’s an enormous amount of savings,” says Ari Matusiak, CEO of the nonprofit, Rewiring America. “That’s just a fact of the technology being superior.”

The Biden administration’s 2022 climate legislation introduced new federal tax incentives of up to $2,000 for heat pump equipment and installation costs. Many states as well as cities and utilities offer additional financial incentives.

So what money is available right now for a prospective heat pump buyer? And how might a second Trump administration and a Republican-controlled Congress impact this money?

Here are the answers to your heat pump and money questions.

Before we get to money, remind me, how do heat pumps work?

Heat pumps are “basically this magical two-in-one device,” Matusiak says.

For cooling, heat pumps work like air conditioners. They run on electricity and use refrigerants. For heating, heat pumps also use refrigerants. The refrigerants absorb bits of heat from outdoor air and bring them inside to warm up a home.

Some types of heat pumps are specifically designed for extra cold climates, and heat pump sales are booming in countries like Norway, Finland and Sweden.

What kind of money can I currently get from the federal government to buy a heat pump?

The U.S. federal government is currently offering up to $2,000 for homeowners buying heat pumps. The money comes in the form of a tax credit, which lowers your final tax bill, says Steven Nadel, executive director of the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, a research organization working on saving energy.

Nadel notes not all heat pumps are eligible for the federal tax credit. The heat pump has to have a high efficiency rating from  the Consortium for Energy Efficiency, a nonprofit. Some manufacturer websites list tax credit-eligible equipment, as does the ENERGY STAR Product Finder. Nadel says to check the Department of Energy’s website to see which heat pumps qualify for federal tax credits.

James Tucker with an efficient heat pump for his home near Oakland, Calif.

Julia Simon/NPR

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What about states, cities, and my local utility? Can I get money from them?

Many homeowners can get additional money for heat pumps from their local utility, state, or city. Some states, cities and utilities have incentive programs they pay for themselves. There’s some additional money for states from the federal government and the 2022 national climate legislation.

Some states offer heat pump money as tax credits. Some money comes in the form of “point of sale” rebates. That means the money comes off the top of the price of equipment or installation. Utilities often offer post-purchase rebates.

Rewiring America and another nonprofit called The Switch is On have online tools that use people’s zip codes and income to search for which federal, state, local, and utility incentives consumers qualify for. Nadel encourages prospective buyers to check in with their local utility to see if it offers additional money.

I’m a renter and want to buy a heat pump. Can I get money too?

More than a third of Americans rent. While some renters are not in a position to, say, swap out their homeowner’s furnace, some renters with flexibility might be interested in a portable heat pump. Portable heat pumps can go into a window much like a window air conditioning unit and plug into the wall for power.

Matusiak says window heat pumps may soon be eligible for more of these rebate programs, so he encourages prospective buyers to also check out Rewiring America’s online tool.

What do the incoming Trump administration and a Republican-controlled Congress mean for current heat pump incentives?

Shuting Pomerleau, director of energy and environmental policy at the American Action Forum, a conservative think tank, is not optimistic about the future of federal heat pump money. “ Those incentives, whether they’re tax credits or, rebate programs are likely to go away under the upcoming Republican trifecta,” Pomerleau says.  

The incoming Republican-led congress will be looking for revenue to pay for tax cuts, says Diana Furchtgott-Roth, director of the center for energy, climate, and environment at the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank based in Washington. They will likely get rid of spending programs from Biden’s 2022 climate legislation, she says, including the tax credits for heat pumps.

The Trump transition team did not respond to NPR’s request for comment.

Pomerleau notes that while federal heat pump money is at risk of drying up, some states may choose to continue their incentive programs using other money.

Matusiak says that heat pump rebate programs have been popular in red and purple states as well as blue states. He notes that after the election, states including Texas, Nebraska, Louisiana, Missouri, Kansas, Kentucky and Ohio applied for federal money for their heat pump rebate programs.

A technician removes a gas water heater from a home in Washington, DC. Researchers see heat pumps as climate solutions because they often replace appliances that run on fossil fuels like gas. Heat pumps run on electricity that’s increasingly powered by renewable energy.

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So if I’m thinking about getting a heat pump, does it make sense to get one sooner rather than later?

Nadel and Matusiak say before you rush out and buy a heat pump, think about what you already have in your home and how well it’s working.

“If you have a perfectly functioning furnace that you bought two years ago, you shouldn’t go get rid of it,” Matusiak says.

But if it starts to die, he says, then buy a heat pump.

Pomerleau says it may make sense to buy that heat pump sooner rather than later to be sure to access federal money. She thinks it will take Republicans some time to make changes to the tax code, but she suggests buying a new heat pump before the end of the 2025 calendar year to be more sure of qualifying for a federal tax credit.

Animal shelters across the D.C. region have often reported throughout 2024 that they are over capacity, but those at D.C.’s Humane Rescue Alliance say the need is especially urgent.

“We’re hoping to find homes for at least 100 dogs by Dec. 31,” said Diane Ashton, a spokesperson with the HRA.

“Overcrowding has been a problem all year long,” she said, but the situation is critical due to upcoming changes at the organization. “Animal control and animal care is being transitioned from HRA” to Brandywine Valley SPCA, which will take on the current Humane Rescue Alliance facility on New York Avenue and open two other spaces in the new year.

That leaves the rescue alliance with the facility at Oglethorpe Street in Northwest D.C., Ashton said.

“Starting Jan. 1, our space at Oglethorpe will only hold 115 dogs, and we have 260 dogs in our care,” including many in foster homes, she said.

On top of that, Ashton said they could see an additional 35 to 55 dogs that need shelter before the end of the year.

“People can help by adopting, obviously, or fostering a dog,” Ashton said.

Adoption fees are only $25 for all animals through Dec. 31.

“And that means dogs, cats and small animals,” she said. “You can foster a dog or a cat over the holidays. It’s a great way to give back and it’s really a lot of fun.”

Fostering takes the pressure off the crowding at shelters and gives dogs and cats a chance to relax in a home setting.

For those planning on taking in a pet over the holidays, Ashton said it’s smart to dedicate a space for your new four-legged friend.

“It’s important to have a quiet place where the animal can decompress,” she said.

Ashton said if the rescue alliance can’t meet its goal of finding new homes for at least 100 dogs, “We do have transport partners around the country that may be able to take in some of these dogs, but we’re hoping we don’t have to go that route.”

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CNN
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The state of Maryland is set to gain control of the DC Air National Guard fighter squadron as part of a major deal that will see the nation’s capital take over the site of RFK stadium.

The Air Force approved the transfer of the 121st Fighter Squadron from Washington, DC, to the Maryland Air National Guard, according to spokeswoman Ann Stefanek. Maryland currently flies A-10 attack aircraft, but those are scheduled for divestment from the Air Force next year, according to the governor’s office.

The new development means the Maryland Air National Guard will soon fly F-16 fighter jets, a more advanced aircraft that serves as one of the mainstays of the Air Force’s fleet. The DC Air National Guard also defends the National Capital Region, which is some of the most sensitive airspace in the country. The fighter wing has a round-the-clock alert force as part of its mission. By contrast, the Maryland Air National Guard’s aging A-10 aircraft were primarily used in an overseas attack role when deployed.

The Maryland unit was supposed to transition into a cyber role, but the transfer of control of the fighter squadron will maintain the unit’s flying mission.

“The men and women of the Maryland Air National Guard are some of the finest and most experienced pilots in the world. In partnership with our congressional delegation and federal partners, we have advocated vigorously to maintain Maryland’s flying mission, both in the interest of national security and to continue the proud tradition that Maryland plays in defending our country,” Democratic Gov. Wes Moore said in a joint statement with the state’s senators on Monday.

The transfer of the fighter squadron was a critical part of a complex deal that allows Washington, DC, to take over the land around RFK stadium, which could bring the NFL back to the nation’s capital, while also providing Maryland with funding to rebuild the Francis Scott Key Bridge.

The deal was at risk of collapse last week when a provision to transfer the stadium land to DC was stripped from a government funding package following opposition from President-elect Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk.

But in a surprise move early Saturday morning, the Senate unanimously passed a bill giving DC control of the land. The Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium Campus Revitalization Act now awaits President Joe Biden’s signature after it passed the House earlier this year.

The Washington Commanders football team has played at Northwest Stadium, formerly known as FedEx Field, in Landover, Maryland, since 1997. The franchise previously played at RFK Stadium from 1961 until 1996.

Maryland Air National Guard Brig. Gen. Drew Dougherty called the deal an “historic moment” for the unit.

“Over the past few years, we have been resolute on our commitment to securing a future flying mission. This transition is the first step in delivering a path where we can maintain our highly experienced pilots and maintainers, positions that are critically manned across the total force, while still keeping Maryland at the forefront of cyber operation,” Dougherty said in a statement.

Details about the timeline and the transition of the fighters from DC to Maryland “will be announced at a later date,” said Stefanek.