Welcome to Eastside Energy Insights
Your new go‑to resource for making smart, comfortable, and efficient upgrades to your home.
We’re Energy Smart Eastside, a multi-city program created to help Eastside residents understand and adopt clean, modern, and sustainable home energy technologies. And if you’ve been hearing more about heat pumps lately, you’re not alone—they’re quickly becoming one of the most important upgrades homeowners can make.
So, what exactly is a heat pump?
Think of it as an all‑in‑one system that heats your home in the winter and cools it in the summer. But instead of burning fuel to create heat, heat pumps use electricity to move heat from one place to another—a process that makes them incredibly efficient.
In winter: a heat pump pulls heat from the outdoor air and brings it inside.
In summer: the heat pump reverses direction, removing heat from your home.
Pictured on the left is the outdoor unit of a heat pump system.
Pictured on the right is the indoor unit (mini-split) of a ductless heat pump system—this is what delivers heating and cooling directly into your space.
If this sounds familiar, it’s because you already have this technology at home—your refrigerator uses the same heat transfer process, just on a smaller scale.
Because heat pumps transfer heat rather than generate it, they can deliver two to four times more heating energy than the electricity they consume. That’s a major reason they’re gaining momentum throughout the Pacific Northwest and the rest of U.S.
Still curious? Let’s hand it over to our friend Bill Nye for a deeper dive.
Why are heat pumps important for Eastside homeowners?
Heat pumps offer several benefits that make them a smart choice for homes in our region:
High efficiency: Moving heat requires less energy than creating it from fuel.
Heating and cooling in one system: One upgrade can replace both your furnace and air conditioner.
Cleaner operation: Because they run on electricity, heat pumps can help reduce household carbon emissions—especially as our electric grid gets cleaner.
Improved comfort: Many homeowners notice more even temperatures and better summer cooling.
With rising interest in home electrification and energy efficiency, heat pumps are becoming a cornerstone technology for comfortable, climate-resilient homes.
Where Energy Smart Eastside comes in
Upgrading your home’s heating system is a big decision—and we’re here to make it simpler.
Our team connects Eastside residents with:
Trusted information about heat pumps and other clean energy upgrades
Available rebates and incentives that can lower upfront costs
Technical guidance to help you evaluate your options
Participating contractors so you can shop with confidence
Our goal is simple: make it easier for you to understand your choices, access available financial assistance, and move forward when the time is right for your home.
Curious if a heat pump is right for you?
Connect with an Energy Smart Eastside Energy Advisor to explore your options.
Find available rebates and incentives for heat pump systems.
Sign-up for our email list to stay up to date on rebates and emerging clean technologies.