When temperatures swing unpredictably, as they have this unusually warm winter, households that live in inefficient buildings or rely on expensive fossil fuels feel it first and hardest. Renters in poorly insulated apartments and families choosing between heating or cooling and groceries experience the climate crisis in practical, personal ways. These are not future problems. They are everyday problems.
Electrification is often framed as a long-term climate strategy, but winters like this one reveal why it is also about affordability and reliability. Warmer temperatures do not eliminate energy burdens. Instead, they highlight how inconsistent and inefficient our current systems can be. Some of the most important climate solutions are rooted in the systems we depend on most: how we heat and cool our buildings and how resilient our infrastructure is under changing conditions. High-efficiency cold-climate heat pumps, especially when paired with weatherization, provide consistent indoor comfort while lowering energy use and pollution.
Why heat pumps? Because they move heat rather than create it. In winter, they pull heat from the outdoor air and transfer it inside. Even cold air contains heat energy, allowing heat pumps to operate more efficiently than furnaces that burn fuel. In summer, the system reverses and moves warm indoor air outside. You essentially get two systems in one that will both heat and cool your home.
For many families, upgrading their HVAC equipment can feel out of reach. They may not realize there are programs available to support energy efficiency and electrification upgrades like heat pumps. Funding from the County and towns, plus rebates from utilities and the state of Colorado often can be combined, or stacked, to reduce the costs of upgrades. These rebates enable residents to invest in their homes to make them more comfortable, and in some cases, makes their utility bills more manageable. The good news is that installations can happen year-round, even in winter!
Walking Mountains administers local residential and commercial energy efficiency rebate programs. ReEnergize Eagle County offers free energy efficiency upgrades (up to $7,500), for income-qualified households that can be utilized for weatherization, efficiency, and electrification upgrades. Everyone can access rebates through Energy Smart Colorado, including $1,000 toward a project, up to 25 percent of total cost. Reach out to a Walking Mountains Energy Coach to get started. They can walk you through the process and identify maximum savings. Just visit this page and fill out the form or call (970)-827-9725.
Most Eagle County residents are served by Holy Cross Energy, which offers rebates up to $5,000 annually, or up to $10,000 for income-qualified members, plus a zero percent on-bill repayment program for installing a high-efficiency heat pump up to $15,000. Residents served by Xcel Energy can access rebates ranging from $4,000 to $7,500 depending on the age of the system being replaced.
Additionally, the state of Colorado provides rebates through the Home Electrification and Appliance Rebate (HEAR) Program funded by the Inflation Reduction Act. HEAR helps households lower upfront costs for high-efficiency electric appliances and energy efficiency upgrades. Rebates are available for a variety of upgrades including cold climate heat pumps, induction stoves, electric panels and wiring, heat pump water heaters, and more. Homeowners and tenants of single-family homes are eligible for the HEAR Program if their household income is below 150% area median income. To find out more, visit the Colorado Energy Office (CEO) Home Energy Rebates website. The program is trying to recruit more contractors who serve our mountain and rural communities. Learn how to become a registered contractor here.
Collaborating with funders and strengthening local partnerships is crucial to ensure we deliver effective programs and get the word out to the community. Last month, the Walking Mountains, the Climate Action Collaborative, and Holy Cross Energy hosted a Heat Pump Roundtable to connect contractors and industry professionals. We presented an overview of the local, utility, and statewide heat pump rebates and how they can be stacked to create even greater discounts for consumers. We also brainstormed ways to drive more heat pump installations. We will continue to look for ways to make it easier and more affordable for our local residents to participate in rebate programs and to enjoy the benefits.
With these layered incentives, upgrading to a heat pump is more realistic than many assume. If your heating system is nearing the end of its life or requiring frequent repairs, now may be a great time to explore your options. R&H Mechanical is currently offering 10 percent off the full cost of heat pump projects through April 2026 for Eagle County residents. You can contact them at (970)-328-2699.
Keep in mind that rebates come with requirements, so working with knowledgeable contractors and program specialists is essential. A Walking Mountains Energy Coach can simplify the process and maximize your savings.
If you’re still feeling uncertain on where to start or what efficiency looks like, you can join Walking Mountains on a Green Buildings Tour during Climate Action Week on Friday, April 17. You’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at the Eagle County Building Geothermal Project and a nearby home that has completed energy-efficiency upgrades. During the tour, you’ll hear directly from homeowners and energy experts about the real-world experience of improving home performance, from the upfront costs, benefits, lessons learned, and challenges along the way.
At the end of the day, this is not just about technology. It is about timing. Heating systems will need replacement eventually, and as climate change intensifies extreme weather, those transitions matter. With strong local incentives and community support in place, planning ahead can protect your household from rising costs while helping build a more resilient, climate-ready Eagle County.
Chantel Recksiedler is the Climate Action Collaborative Coordinator. The Climate Action Collaborative is working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Eagle County 50% by 2030 and 80% by 2050.
