Heat pumps
This really is bananas.
Air-source heat pumps, which work a bit like a reverse refrigerator — moving warmth from the outside air inside — are rapidly becoming a toxic topic. Last week they became too divisive for the BBC, when the presenter Evan Davis was forced to cancel his Happy Heat Pump podcast because of the fear, in his words, that he was “steering into areas of public controversy”
"Record quarter for UK heat pump installations as subsidies drive growth"
Does anyone out there know anything about heat pumps? We were thinking of having them installed, but a local contractor in Maine told us it would cost us $38,000 to put in a system. I was under the impression that a system would cost $4,000 to $10,000. Am I wrong to think that $38,000 is way too expensive? #HeatPumps #HeatPump #Home #House #Winter #Maine
Learned some neat things from the #EarthDay fair today.
1. There's a community #SolarPower program available in Denver where you effectively split the cost of building a solar farm with other people and you all get a discounted energy bill. It's available even if you have an apartment or rent!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YsckjLCdsiw
2. #HeatPumps aren't just a physics class thing, you can apparently get one in your house and it can do both heating and AC.
"BBC Blocks Evan Davis from Hosting Clean Heating Podcast"
#UK #UnitedKingdom #BBCNews #HeatPumps #Energy
https://www.desmog.com/2025/04/22/bbc-blocks-evan-davis-from-hosting-clean-heating-podcast/
Can’t believe this thread on Evan Davis/ #BBC / #HeatPumps has has now been reposted over 400 times!
Overwhelmingly people posting here approve of heat pumps and want to see more of them…that’s great news!
So what makes them controversial? Davis himself seems to think it’s their association with #NetZero, of which the timescale has recently been hotly debated in UK.
Hear his thoughts on this, on the final episode of Happy Heat Pump Podcast:
That's a bit of a surprise. The ones available here in the UK provide both hot water and heating. I wonder why there's a difference.
Our fossil-fuel boiler is due to be replaced by #HeatPumps next month, so it's encouraging to see people in this thread saying how great they are!
I hate how objective verifiable facts have somehow been swept up in the manufactured #CultureWars and become politically controversial. Masks and vaccines prevent infections. 20mph speed limits in Wales reduce road deaths and injuries. #HeatPumps are energy and cost effective. "Woman" is not a strict biological category. These should not be controversial statements because people who believe truth is optional don't like them.
Fuck sake.
The BBC presenter Evan Davis has been told he can no longer host a podcast about heat pumps due to the corporation’s concerns that discussing the technology risks “treading on areas of public controversy”.
Controversy? Bloody fossil fuels lobby talking shite more like.
Archive link: https://archive.md/G9eSy
"Heat Pumps?" - Controversial
"Racist Politicians 1960s rant against Immigration" - No problem
@Thebratdragon @JugglingWithEggs .....and theirs are the only opinions that truly matter to the dear old BBC...
‘An energy trade association that represents and promotes gas boilers and manufacturers is behind a barrage of negative press attacking #HeatPumps, DeSmog has learned.
Over the past two years, the Energy and Utilities Association (EUA) has paid a public affairs firm to generate hundreds of articles and interviews to lobby the UK government on energy policy.’
https://www.desmog.com/2023/07/20/revealed-media-blitz-against-heat-pumps-funded-by-gas-lobby-group/
Yep. Over here, there's a Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant worth £7,500. We're getting our #HeatPumps installed next month, before the government makes another "difficult decision" and axes the #grant, and I'd encourage other Brits to do the same.
Also…
‘Globally, 177 million #HeatPumps have been installed. China (33%) had the most installations, followed by North America (23%) and Europe (25%). ‘
‘Regarding regional market share, Asia Pacific dominated the heat pump market, accounting for 53.1% in 2022. This dominance is attributed to the availability of sizeable skilled labour at low cost’
UK is so far behind because of our rabid rightwing media.
The #BBC might like to note that:
‘The global heat pump market size was estimated at £59.68 billion in 2022 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 9.3% from 2023 to 2030.’
‘#HeatPumps have a coefficient of performance (COP) of around four, making them 3-5 times more energy efficient than gas boilers.’
‘In Europe, heat pump sales grew by nearly 40% in 2022, with air-to-water models seeing a jump of almost 50%.’
OPB: Oregon is getting hotter. This state program is helping thousands of renters stay cool
‘The #BBC presenter Evan Davis has been told he can no longer host a podcast about heat pumps due to the corporation’s concerns that discussing the technology risks “treading on areas of public controversy”’
Controversial to #FossilFuel industry and #Reform voters who are trying to kneecap anything that will help us avert #ClimateBreakdown.
#HeatPumps are NOT controversial outside UK.
If Heat Pumps send you into a frothing explosion of political outrage I'm willing to wager you have wasted your life being a Rich Mans cock puppet
The BBC ending its podcast on Heat Pumps becauss they are "too controversial?!"
What the hell is this now?!
#BBC #HeatPumps #ClimateCrisis #CultureWars #appeasement
Unions moving forward on clean energy
Just in time for May Day 
Chicago teachers' new contract includes a bunch of #cleanenergy wins, as "common good" provisions.
Taps long history of union fights for health and safety.
Clean energy job training for students
#Heatpumps
#Solar
Update district's climate action plan in 2026.
Unions joining #climateaction 
#union #labor #Chicago #climatehope #climatechange #jobs
https://www.canarymedia.com/articles/clean-energy/chicago-teachers-union-contract-solar-jobs
