I’m on vacation, and I’m still thinking about heat pumps!

Right now I’m on vacation in India, and there are heat pumps everywhere. Just take a look at this photo of my neighborhood - I count 15 visible units, and there’s probably another 20 more hidden from view.

HVAC philosophy here is completely different from what we’re used to in the US. Most systems are mini splits, and buying a heat pump feels a lot more like picking up a microwave or refrigerator. You can get one online or at an electronics store with installation included.

The energy infrastructure is different, too. Since the grid can be unreliable, most homes have a backup generator with an automatic transfer switch. Many homes have distributed energy resources like rooftop solar and solar water heating, which help with resilience during power outages. Instead of piped gas lines, people get regular deliveries of small LPG tanks for cooking.

I’m taking tons of photos and soaking up as much as I can. There’s a lot we can learn from other countries like India that have already deployed heat pumps at scale.

For the next few weeks, I’ll be sharing quick updates from the field instead of the usual deep-dive content. Every week, I’ll highlight my observations on everything from sales to installation methods to equipment types. I’m excited to share my findings with you.

Curious about anything specific with heat pumps in India? Just hit reply and let me know what you’d like me to look into!

Miss the deep dives?

If you’re missing the longer form content, check out some favorites from the archives!

Here’s a few:

Intro to Heat Pumps: The Best Place to Start - If you’re new to heat pumps, this guide covers all the essentials

Heat Pump Incentives: A Primer - Learn about the incentives that make heat pumps more affordable

How Contractors Price Heat Pumps - A look into the factors that affect your heat pump quote

Speaking of Heat Pump quotes…

Have you seen the new HVAC quote database I'm building? I’ve aggregated over 150 quotes from 60+ homeowners nationwide, and we’re just getting started.

On the market for a heat pump or recently bought one? Add your quotes to the database, and I’ll share insights to help you compare your own quote with others.