Energy Smart Eastside installs 1,000 heat pumps

Published June 29 2026

Recipients healthier and more comfortable as they support climate goals

Energy Smart Eastside, a collaboration of six Eastside cities supporting equitable access to clean home energy solutions, has helped 1,000 households install heat pumps.

Installed over the last four years, since ESE launched in 2022, those heat pumps have helped reduce emissions from residential energy use, one of the region's largest sources of climate pollution, cutting more than 31,000 metric tons of carbon emissions so far. That's roughly equivalent to taking 7,231 cars off the road for one year over the lifetime of the equipment.

The milestone 1,000th installation took place at the home of Issaquah resident Jenni Treadway. Since heat pumps provide cooling as well as heating, she said she is looking forward to the cooler summers, a better night's sleep and being able to chat with family during a movie without noise from fans.

"It's so exciting to be part of the program," Treadway said. "It's made a difference in our community and I'm hoping we can be a role model for other communities."

Advocating for her community

After moving with her family from Nebraska to Washington, Treadway and her family faced the unprecedented summer temperatures of 2021. Motivated to find a long-term cooling solution, she began investigating heat pumps for her condominium community, Ashford at Vista Park, part of the A Regional Coalition for Housing (ARCH) affordable homeownership program.

Treadway reached out to the City of Issaquah and was connected to the ESE program. She advocated, not only for herself, but also for her community by coordinating contractors and helping establish policies about heat pump installations on her homeowners' board.

ESE covered the full cost of heat pumps for five income-qualified households and provided substantial rebates for 17 additional moderate-income households. Combined with discounted contractor pricing, these incentives reduced out-of-pocket costs for residents who purchased their own systems from about $14,000 down to $6,000 - a substantial savings compared with typical ductless heat pump installations.

About Heat Pumps
Heat pumps are a key technology named in local climate action plans to reduce residential carbon emissions. They also make homes more comfortable by providing reliable heating in the winter, air conditioning in the summer and long-term home energy savings.

About Energy Smart Eastside
Energy Smart Eastside, a program of the Eastside Climate Partnership, includes the cities of Bellevue, Issaquah, Kirkland, Mercer Island, Redmond and Sammamish. The partnership collaborates on programs that reduce regional sources of climate pollution and advance collective sustainability. Learn more about ESE programs at EnergySmarteastside.org.