Heat pumps are appliances that cool and heat homes by pumping warm air around. They run on electricity and involve the use of refrigerant, but they're more energy-efficient than air conditioners. The popularity of heat pumps has surged over the past couple of years as people seek to move away from the gas without causing their electric bills to soar. But a surge in popularity means there's a surge in demand. If you've been looking at getting a heat pump, that demand could affect you. However, you can avoid running into supply issues and get a heat pump or have a current one serviced easily.

If You Want One, Get One Now 

If you don't have a heat pump and want one, you may want to get it now. As demand rises, supply will be affected until manufacturers can catch up. Even when there's no major shortage, the supply chain is still shaky from the pandemic years. It's better to get the heat pump now, when things seem okay than to wait until it's in the middle of summer. By then, the demand could have increased just enough to create delays for new installations. By the way, even if the supply chain for heat pumps is stable, the number of available appointments for an installation could drop as more people call companies before you do. Call now and get the installation done if you're sure you want a heat pump.

More Companies May Offer Them Soon

If you're still thinking about heat pumps but aren't sure about the model you want or whether you need to keep other appliances around to warm or cool various parts of your house, that's OK. While demand may make getting a heat pump competitive, that won't last forever. More companies will offer heat pump installation eventually, so your choices will grow. You'll also likely have friends who install heat pumps and who can give you a breakdown of the pros and cons so that you know what to expect.

Rebates and Incentives Could Grow

Whether you want to install one now or want to wait and see, keep your eye on rebates and incentives. These can come from manufacturers, sellers, utility companies, and local and federal government offices. They can focus on the heat pump and its installation cost, or they can be directed toward the modifications you might have to do, like adding a duct or upgrading your circuit breaker panel. These rebates and incentives can save you a lot. You'll want to speak with a company that installs and services heat pumps to see what the latest news is.