United States

Last October, when the old propane boiler failed at 23 Hardware and Lumber in Askov, owner Scott Peterson did something that many experts say is critical for Minnesota to combat climate change and reach its greenhouse gas reduction goals. He replaced it, not with a traditional boiler or furnace, but with an electric air-source heat pump. He didn’t do it to save the planet. He did it to save money — and to get air conditioning for the first time. One year later, he’s happy he made the switch. He admitted to a bit of sticker shock when he got the quote for his new system, which included the heat pump, new ductwork, and a backup propane furnace. “But, you know, if you’re saving two to three grand a year on propane, it don’t take very long to pay for it,” Peterson said. Meanwhile, he said his electric bill has increased only modestly, by about $20 to $30 per month. Peterson hadn’t heard much about heat pump...