Heat pumps provide an energy-efficient solution for both heating and cooling, and the City of Boulder is committed to making these systems more accessible to the community. In partnership with Xcel Energy's Partners in Energy and Boulder County, we have launched a pilot program aimed at increasing heat pump adoption in Boulder, with a special focus on homes with electric resistance heating.
Our records show that most homes in the Shannahan Ridge neighborhood were originally equipped with baseboard electric heating and no central cooling. Because heat pumps provide efficient heating and cooling, homes in this neighborhood could see significant benefits from adopting heat pump technology. Focusing on Shannahan Ridge also presents an opportunity to better understand and work to overcome the barriers that may be faced by condominium communities.
While outreach will focus on the Shanahan Ridge neighborhood, any programs that would be offered beyond what the city already offers through EnergySmart will be open to all community members.
This summer and fall, the City of Boulder is holding a series of focus group sessions to gather insights from Shanahan Ridge residents who have installed or considered installing heat pumps. We’re also engaging with contractors to learn what challenges they may have faced, or anticipated, with these installations, and with Shanahan Ridge HOA representatives to explore opportunities to streamline resident heat pump adoption. All of this information will be used to design a heat pump campaign for Spring of 2025.
Pilot program participants can expect the following:
In return, the City of Boulder asks participants to become heat pump ambassadors by sharing their experiences and lessons learned with the City of Boulder Heat Pump Accelerator staff.
The objective of this project is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants by transitioning from fossil fuel based and less efficient heating systems to clean, efficient and affordable electric solutions
Through the City of Boulder’s partnership with Xcel Energy, this initiative will support the city's commitment to achieving a carbon-free future.
July-October 2024
October-Spring 2025
Spring/Summer 2025
