Sustainability Symposium: Highlights for Homeowners
Interested in saving on your heating and cooling bills while reducing your carbon footprint? Learn how an electric heat pump system can help you do both.
By Anne Fonda
Scott Tew, Vice President, Sustainability and Managing Director, Center for Energy Efficiency and Sustainability, Trane Technologies, and Vijay Deshmukh, VP of Product Management, Residential HVAC, recently spoke at a Sustainability Symposium sponsored by Green Builder Media.
The session focused on the transformative impact of ClimateTech innovations on sustainability, resilience, and energy efficiency in the built environment. Vijay and Scott highlighted several groundbreaking technologies and strategies that are redefining how we build, power, and live in residential and commercial buildings.
The session underscored the urgency of adopting breakthrough climate solutions and the need for a holistic approach to sustainability. Vijay and Scott shared insights that highlighted the critical role of innovation in driving the transition to more sustainable and resilient communities through the lens of Trane Technologies.
The discussion was moderated by Green Builder Media CEO Sara Gutterman. Here, we have hit some of the session highlights.
Electrification and decarbonization are the wave of the future
Scott Tew, Vice President, Sustainability and Managing Director, Center for Energy Efficiency and Sustainability, Trane Technologies, expressed how Trane Technologies has doubled down on reducing carbon emissions and that decarbonization via the electrification of heat is the way to go.
“In the past, we would install a heating system and a separate cooling system. It was not the most efficient way to do it. Now we have single, combined systems – heat pumps. But they’re smarter heat pumps than what our parents or previous generations knew,” Tew said.
Tew continued that combining Trane’s energy-efficient systems with digital technologies such as smart sensors, smart thermostats, and building automation has allowed some commercial clients to see a 400% increase in their building efficiency.
“It’s an exciting time. You can have the efficiencies, we can decarbonize, and we don’t have the negative trade-offs.”
– Scott Tew, Vice President, Sustainability and Managing Director, Center for Energy Efficiency and Sustainability, Trane Technologies
Electric heat pumps are growing in popularity among homeowners
According to RMI, an independent, nonpartisan nonprofit, in the United States, air source heat pumps have consistently outsold gas furnaces since 2021. In 2024, manufacturers shipped 34% more electric heat pumps than gas furnaces (4.1 million units vs 3.1 million units).
Over the past 20 years, annual heat pump sales have increased by 115% while gas furnace sales decreased by 11%. In addition, a recent industry survey commissioned by Mitsubishi Electric Trane HVAC U.S. (METUS) found that 90% of homeowners with a heat pump system would recommend heat pumps to others.
Heat pump systems are the go-to HVAC system in new construction around the country. And as more and more homeowners learn about the energy-saving and environmental benefits of heat pumps, they’re becoming a more common solution when it comes time for HVAC replacement.
Weatherization and a new heat pump system go hand in hand. You should weatherize your home first to get the highest efficiency from a new heat pump system.
While new homes should already have a tightly sealed building envelope, older homes have developed cracks and leaks around windows and doors, which should be sealed before installing a new heat pump system. In addition, consider increasing insulation in your attic, crawl space, and attached garage. A home energy audit can help you identify problem areas.
New heat pump systems are more sustainable than ever
The HVAC industry recently underwent a refrigerant transition. This is good news for energy efficiency and good news for the planet. Here’s what Deshmukh had to say.
“The new refrigerant that we’re using in systems now helps our systems achieve a 78% reduction in global warming potential (GWP) compared to previous refrigerants. Along with that, we’ve also improved the overall energy efficiency of our products, and our portfolio is 4% more efficient than just 6 months ago.
Heat pumps are a phenomenal product from a sustainability standpoint. You’re not creating heat (by burning fossil fuels), you’re transferring heat. A heat pump acts as an air conditioner in the summer and acts as a heater, transferring heat in a reverse fashion in the winter,” Deshmukh said.
Heat pump technology today far surpasses what it was 20 years ago. “Now, heat pumps are operating at -20°F and they keep you comfortable, sometimes more comfortable and faster comfort than even a furnace, so I think that’s exciting.
Variable speed inverter technology is a good example. You’re optimizing system performance and lifespan because it’s varying the speed and using the minimum energy needed. These products are designed to last longer than the heat pumps of old, so that’s kind of the secret sauce,” Deshmukh added.
Inflation Reduction Act incentives make heat pumps more affordable
“If you choose to go and purchase a system with more efficiency upgrades, you can easily save 20% energy, and even though a new heat pump system can be expensive, there are a lot of options available, including:
- 25C tax credit/energy efficient home improvement credit
- State heat pump rebates (not all states)
- Local rebates from utility companies
- Seasonal promotions from Trane
If you think about upfront cost vs future energy costs, you’re making the right choice,” Deshmukh said.
“HVAC energy cost is almost 40% of total energy consumption in your house, so if you’re able to drop that energy usage by 20% by upgrading, that can have a significant impact on sustainability without compromising comfort. If you go with a variable-speed option, it actually enhances comfort.”
- Vijay Deshmukh, VP of Product Management, Residential HVAC
AI and digital technology have a part to play
Tew says Trane Technologies is embracing AI and digital technology to increase energy efficiency, energy savings, and cost savings even further. “Efforts in the future will be focused on using digital and AI to help us tweak systems in ways that we couldn’t before now.
And when I say tweak systems, I mean some of these tweaks lead to significant efficiency gains. I’ve heard 20-30% efficiency gains just by integrating some AI technologies that help the systems run more efficiently.
They also send signals back to us to understand how the equipment is performing. The great thing about that is the service techs who are out in people’s homes know before they arrive what the priorities are for making the system operate better and run more efficiently.
So, there’s no wasted time when they arrive. They already have great insights, they know what parts they need, and they know what tweaks to make,” Tew added.
“We’re just scratching the surface with digital tools. We can see that greater things are possible, and I think that’s what is so exciting,”
– Scott Tew, Vice President, Sustainability and Managing Director, Center for Energy Efficiency and Sustainability, Trane Technologies
Trane’s commitment to sustainability
Sustainability is at the heart of everything Trane Technologies does. As Tew said, “We set the bar really high for ourselves with the Gigaton Challenge, which is our commitment to reduce our customers’ carbon emissions by a billion tons (gigaton) of greenhouse gases by 2030.”
As a leading global climate innovator, Trane Technologies challenges itself and its employees to innovate differently and make equipment more efficient while helping consumers understand what’s possible.
“An example of how we are meeting the Gigaton Challenge has been the refrigerant transition. We have exceeded not only the legal regulations, but we were the first in the industry to transition to next-generation refrigerants. The latest refrigerants are an important part of emissions reductions,” Tew said.
“But we’re not stopping there. We’re already researching and developing what the next transition will look like and how the equipment should be configured,” Tew continued.
Sustainable manufacturing
In addition to the energy-efficient end products you see when you install a new electric heat pump system, Trane keeps sustainability at the heart of the manufacturing process as well. Manufacturing plants themselves have goals to achieve carbon-neutral operations, deliver zero waste to landfills, and design systems for circularity.
“We’ve been very successful in adding green steel in our products as well as using recycled aluminum. In terms of using recycled content or raw materials that are produced at lower energy consumption, that percentage keeps growing,” Deshmukh added.
We find sustainable and energy-efficient HVAC solutions for homeowners every day.
Want to learn more about the ClimateTech Revolution? Watch the full video.
Learn more about heat pumps
- What Is an Air Source Heat Pump, and Is It Right for My Home?
- Should You Replace an Oil Furnace with a Heat Pump?
- Heat Pump vs Furnace: Which Heating System Is Best?
- Hybrid Heat Systems: How They Work
- What Is a Dual-Fuel Heating System?
- What Is the Best Time to Buy a Heat Pump?
- Stack HVAC Tax Credits and Heat Pump Rebates and Save
- DOE Heat Pump Rebates, Explained
- Heat Pump Replacement Buying Guide
- Heat Pump Purchase Checklist
Visit and bookmark our Electrification Hub for the latest information on new products, energy efficiency ratings, and potential cost savings.
Anne Fonda, Content Writer
A Content Writer with Trane Technologies, Anne Fonda researches topics and writes for Trane® and associated residential HVAC brands. She works in collaboration with Trane Technologies subject matter experts, offering easy-to-understand, informative content on complex topics. Her goal is to help consumers make informed decisions on the products and services they need.
She has written for HVAC and other service provider websites for over 16 years. Before transitioning to web content writing, Anne had a 14-year stint as an award-winning journalist. She graduated cum laude from the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Journalism.
When she’s not working, Anne enjoys playing word games, reading, gardening, spending time with family, and visiting gardens and museums.
Scott Tew is Vice President, Sustainability and Managing Director, Center for Energy Efficiency and Sustainability at Trane Technologies. He is responsible for forward-looking sustainability initiatives aimed at transitioning to more efficient and climate-friendly solutions and minimizing resource use within company facilities.
Scott holds graduate and undergraduate degrees in environmental science and ecology from Livingston University. He serves on the Advisory Council of the Corporate Eco Forum; as the board chair of the World Environment Center; and as the chair of the US Business Council for Sustainable Development (USBCSD).
Vijay Deshmukh is Vice President, Product Management, Trane Residential. In his current role, Vijay focuses on driving customer-led innovation and go-to-market strategies. He is passionate about creating a sustainable growth model that creates exceptional customer value.
Vijay holds graduate and undergraduate degrees in mechanical engineering and an International Master's in Management.
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