Hey homeowners, we’re here to help
Hey homeowners, we’re here to help
The term “heat pump” is misleading because a heat pump can do more than heat your indoor space. In fact, a heat pump is an electric appliance that can heat and cool your indoor air. Because of this, it can replace a home heating system like a furnace, boiler or inefficient baseboard heating, and a traditional air conditioner.
Combined heating and cooling. Heat pumps provide high-efficiency heating and cooling in one unit, generating nearly four times the heat for every unit of electricity compared to traditional heating options.
Enhanced home comfort. Heat pumps give you more control over the comfort levels in your home. Ductless heat pumps can be installed in individual rooms to create customized temperature zones.
Health. Because heat pumps do not burn anything to generate heat, they eliminate indoor pollutants and safety concerns caused by burning gas and support cleaner outdoor air quality.
Quiet. Heat pumps are often much quieter than traditional heating and cooling systems. Modern heat pumps will run continuously rather than blasting on and off, reducing disruption to your home.
Flexibility. Heat pumps can provide heating and cooling to buildings of all shapes and sizes—regardless of whether you have ductwork or not. Heat pumps are a great option whether you want to replace your entire existing system or just want to add heating or cooling to one or more room(s).
Less environmental impact. Heat pumps are powered by electricity, which is increasingly generated by renewable sources like wind and solar. Research shows that switching from gas powered systems to heat pumps reduces climate pollution and supports Colorado’s 2050 clean energy goals.
Accessibility. Because heat pumps can be installed quickly and cost-effectively by a qualified contractor - especially with incentives - they are an accessible option for homeowners who are most vulnerable to extreme weather.
Heat pumps replace both your furnace and air conditioner—so while the upfront cost can be more than either appliance alone, it’s often not much more than replacing both at once. Rebates and incentives can make the switch surprisingly affordable, sometimes even the lowest-cost option.
And because you’re operating one efficient system instead of two, you’ll often save on utilities and maintenance over time. Heat pumps typically last about 15 years, similar to furnaces and central AC units.
A heat pump uses electricity to move heat from one place to another. On cold days, it pulls heat from outside air into your home. On hot days, it works like an air conditioner - moving hot air inside your home to the outside.
Because a heat pump transfers heat - and doesn't burn fuel to generate it - it delivers cleaner, safer and quieter comfort than does a gas-powered solution.
A heat pump is also more energy efficient than a traditional heating system, meaning it uses far less energy to generate the same amount of heat as a traditional heating system.
Source: Rewiring America
Yes, modern heat pumps work great in cold climates. In fact, cold climate heat pumps are designed to reliably produce heat at temperatures well below 0-degrees Fahrenheit. Nationally, heat pumps outsell gas furnaces.
In short, yes! Transferring heat from the inside to outside (and vice versa) is much more efficient than burning fuel to create heat the way furnaces, boilers and electric resistance heaters do.
On average, for every one unit of electricity a heat pump uses, it transfers up to 4 units of heat into the home. By comparison, electric resistance heating transfers only one unit of heat for every unit of electricity used. Gas-powered furnaces are even less efficient, generating less than one unit of heat for every unit of energy consumed.
Using a heat pump to cool your home is comparable to the highest-efficiency air conditioners.
A heat pump installation is typically a straightforward process with minimal disruption to your home or building.
A simple, single-zone ductless air source heat pump system can be completed in less than a day. If you are installing a “multi-zone” ductless system or a ducted system that requires modifications to your ductwork, your installation may take a few days or more to complete.
The size of your heat pump will depend on the size and layout of your home, your ductwork (if applicable), your home’s insulation and air tightness, and other factors. To determine the right size heap pump for your home, consult the Colorado Contractor Hub to get connected with a qualified contractor.
Heat pumps are powered by electricity, which is generated through a mix of fossil fuels (like coal and gas) and renewable energy sources (like solar and wind). As more renewable energy powers our regional electric grid, switching from gas powered systems to heat pumps reduces climate pollution and supports Colorado’s 2050 clean energy goals.
Because an electric heat pump doesn’t burn fuel, it removes a source of combustion from your home eliminating air pollutants and carbon monoxide risks, and supports cleaner outdoor air quality.
Heat pumps can be “ducted” or “ductless.” Ducted heat pumps use your ductwork to move heated or cooled air throughout your home. Ducted heat pumps are best for replacing central air conditioning or furnaces.
Ductless heat pumps are mounted on indoor walls and heat or cool one room or area of your home. They are best for replacing boilers and radiant heat.
An air source heat pump uses electricity to move heat from one place to another. It is often used for homes and commercial buildings.
A ground source heat pump (also called a geothermal heat pump) draws heat from the ground to moderate indoor temperatures. While ground source heat pumps are extremely efficient to operate, they are often more expensive to install in residential and small commercial projects, and a better fit for new construction projects, larger facilities and district-level heating and cooling systems.
A heat pump water heater uses heat pump technology to heat your home’s water. Heat pump water heaters, which are also available through Power Ahead Colorado, can be installed alongside an air source heat pump to further eliminate fuel burning in your home.
We’ve got you covered, contractors
We’ve got you covered, contractors
The Colorado Contractor Hub is a centralized, digital workspace designed to engage, educate, and empower current and prospective heat pump contractors. The Contractor Hub advocates for contractors within the Power Ahead Colorado program-helping them connect with customers, navigate program requirements, access resources, and grow their electrification business.
Contractors who join the Colorado Contractor Hub gain:
- Direct access to customer leads through the Power Ahead Colorado program, connecting homeowners and businesses to qualified installers.
- Training and support on best practices for heat pump installation, customer engagement, and business development.
- Third party tools that make contractor businesses more efficient and effective.
- Resource library where contractors can access manufacturer information, training videos, program manuals, and other value-add resources.
- Incentive information that makes projects more affordable and attractive for customers.
- Free Small Business Scaling Program to help small business owners grow their business, including an Electrification Boot Camp, an intensive 2 to 3-day training that provides a comprehensive introduction to energy-efficient building electrification, with a particular focus on HVAC and water heating systems.
- Al Assistant that provides 24/7 support to help contractors quickly find answers to their questions, covering critical areas such as program guidelines, building codes, energy efficiency standards.
Unlike programs that primarily serve homeowners, the Colorado Contractor Hub is designed with contractor support as the main priority; with a focus on growing businesses and expanding customer bases. It offers contractors direct access to new customers, up-to-date information on incentives, and reimbursement opportunities for training. Contractors can also participate in the free Small Business Scaling Program to grow their businesses through electrification.
The Contractor Hub is open to any contractor or installer working in the Power Ahead Colorado region who's interested in electrification, from HVAC and plumbing to weatherization and general construction. The region includes 59 cities and towns and nine counties surrounding the greater Denver region.
The Contractor Hub's Find-a-Contractor Feature is a tool that enables homeowners to find the expertise they need. The proprietary search algorithm surfaces the most relevant results for each customer based on several factors, including services provided, Google reviews, and proximity to the customer.
About Power Ahead Colorado
About Power Ahead Colorado
Power Ahead Colorado is an ambitious program led by the Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG) to improve air quality and community health by reducing the climate impact of the building sector, the largest contributor to the region’s end-use greenhouse gas emissions.
The program will achieve its goals through:
- Focused investment in providing low-income homeowners with heat pumps and other home energy-efficiency upgrades.
- Energy advising and financial incentives to help homeowners and multifamily and commercial building owners achieve energy efficiencies as easily and cost-effectively as possible.
- Industry and workforce development making it easier and more attractive for HVAC contractors and workers to embrace heat pump technology.
- A Building Policy Collaborative to accelerate and coordinate zero-emissions building policy implementation region-wide.
The goals of the five-year program are to:
- Remove 148.2 million metric tons of climate pollution emissions through heat pump and energy efficiency retrofits
- Train 4,800-plus workers for the electrification workforce, including 1,000 upskilled workers.
- Engage 1.6 million Coloradans in the benefits of building efficiency and electrification through a public awareness campaign.
- Receive $73 million in voluntary matched funding from local governments committed to amplifying impact.
Everyone across the Denver Metro Region stands to benefit from cleaner air.
Power Ahead Colorado is specifically designed to support:
- Homeowners across the Denver Metro Area, including those in low-income communities
- Individuals with health challenges made worse by poor air quality
- Business owners responsible for energy upgrades
- Developers and property owners seeking energy-efficient solutions for their tenants and renters
- HVAC contractors looking to grow their businesses
- Workers seeking to advance their careers
- Policymakers and communities seeking streamlined policies and incentives for advancing energy efficient solutions locally
Power Ahead Colorado is funded by a nearly $200 million federal grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Climate Pollution Reduction Grant program, aimed at reducing climate pollution emissions and other harmful air pollutants. DRCOG applied for and was awarded the grant in 2024.
The Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG) is a planning organization where local governments collaborate to establish guidelines, set policy and allocate funding in the areas of transportation and personal mobility, growth and development, and aging and disability resources.
DRCOG is known for regional transportation planning efforts, its Way To Go campaign helping employers find the right commute options for employees, and the Area Agency on Aging to address the needs of the region’s older adults.
DRCOG includes participating governments across nine counties in the Denver Metro Region representing 3.3 million Colorado residents: Adams County, Arapahoe County, Boulder County, City and County of Broomfield, City and County of Denver, Clear Creek County, Douglas County, Gilpin County, Jefferson County and parts of Weld County.
Membership encompasses a variety of communities — small towns like Bennett and Georgetown sit at the table with urban neighbors Denver and Aurora. Each member has an equal voice.
As part of DRCOG’s vision to sustain a world-class natural and built environment, it applied for - and won - a nearly $200 million grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 2024 to reduce the climate impact of the region’s built environment.
Because of DRCOG’s regional perspective, strong partnerships and experience leading big programs, it is well-positioned to drive large-scale, coordinated transformation of the built environment to improve local air quality and public health.
Power Ahead Colorado is working closely with the Colorado Energy Office, Xcel Energy, Rewiring America, the Collective Clean Energy Fund, our local government partners, and others to align various program and campaign goals to reduce the region’s climate impact.
While the various programs and campaigns differ in terms of funding sources, geographic scope, target audience and area of focus, each is designed to build awareness, understanding and adoption of heat pumps and other climate-friendly behaviors across the region. As they say, a rising tide lifts all boats.
Key future milestones include:
Program and marketing campaign launch (January 2026)
- The Colorado Contractor Hub, a one-stop-shop for contractors to access comprehensive resources and support services
- Energy advising services to help homeowners determine which energy efficiency solutions are best for them
- Rebates on heat pumps that are “stackable” with other available rebates
- A robust community engagement effort focused on the region’s low income communities
- Support and training for workers building heat pump installation skills
- Innovation grants to facilitate community adoption of heat pumps
- Policy recommendations for scaling adoption of heat pumps and other energy efficiency solutions regionally