I think the fact that so many of us are renters is a bigger factor than everything else you said (which are also all good points but not the same nationwide). Regardless of whether a heat pump would make sense or not, I think most people would make some sort of changes or improvements to increase efficiency/lower costs if they had the ability to. Meanwhile landlords don’t have any incentive, if not a disincentive to upgrade anything especially if the renters are paying utilities.
Another related issue are EVs. How many people would be happy to switch but are held back by a lack of a parking spot to charge? I don’t know of many basement suites with off street parking (let alone a landlord willing to do electrical work) or apartments with more than 1 charger for dozens of units, if that.
I think the fact that so many of us are renters is a bigger factor than everything else you said (which are also all good points but not the same nationwide). Regardless of whether a heat pump would make sense or not, I think most people would make some sort of changes or improvements to increase efficiency/lower costs if they had the ability to. Meanwhile landlords don’t have any incentive, if not a disincentive to upgrade anything especially if the renters are paying utilities.
Another related issue are EVs. How many people would be happy to switch but are held back by a lack of a parking spot to charge? I don’t know of many basement suites with off street parking (let alone a landlord willing to do electrical work) or apartments with more than 1 charger for dozens of units, if that.