Washington state to require heat pumps in new homes, boosting electrification

摘要

Washington state will require heat pumps in its residential building code, a move that will prompt most new homes to opt for electric space and water heating. The Washington State Building Code Council, or SBCC, on Nov. 4 voted to include the heat pump mandates in an update to the state’s residential energy code. The SBCC required heat pumps in the commercial code earlier in 2022, meaning nearly all new commercial and residential buildings will rely on electric power for primary space and water heating once the codes go into effect in July 2023.