Back change to electric heat pumps in building code reforms

Published 1:30 am Friday, November 11, 2022

The smoke that lasted until late October and kept us indoors for weeks hit me harder than our typically bad wildfire season. The despair I felt added to the urgency of our climate crisis.

As a mother, I care about our children’s safety and their future. I hold hope for a future that’s just, prosperous, equitable and safe from the climate crisis.

We have an opportunity to take a step in the right direction now. The State Building Code Council is considering code updates that would require new homes to be built safe and healthy with heat pumps for heating and cooling. I was lucky to have put in a heat pump several years ago as my son, due to his multiple disabilities, could not have weathered the heat waves I saw coming. It also helped when we were sequestered inside due to the wildfire smoke in the past few years.

The technology is here, and the common sense answer is clear. Heat pumps provide efficient heat and cooling to keep you comfortable year round. And all-electric, new homes save Washingtonians money. Let’s build new homes with the latest and best technology that responds to the climate crisis, puts money back in your wallet, and protects our health.

Mary Rollins

Everett