Building Performance Association Partners to Launch Penn Heat Pump Pathways, a Statewide Initiative to Grow Pennsylvania’s HVAC Workforce

Pennsylvania is launching a new program to train more workers to install heat pumps, the electric heating and cooling systems that are becoming a popular alternative to furnaces and air conditioners. The program, called Penn Heat Pump Pathways, is funded by the state's Department of Environmental Protection and run by the Building Performance Association along with its nonprofit arm, the Home Performance Coalition, and two partner organizations. It aims to enroll more than 1,600 people and will run through July 2028.

This isn't a rebate or discount for homeowners buying a heat pump. Instead, it pays for training for workers who want to enter the HVAC field or learn heat pump installation, and it offers support to employers who want to hire or train staff, and to schools or training providers that teach these courses. The goal is to grow the pool of qualified installers in the state, since demand for heat pumps is outpacing the number of trained workers available to put them in.

For a homeowner, the practical upshot is indirect: a bigger, better-trained workforce could eventually mean it's easier to find a qualified installer and get a heat pump project scheduled and done well. There's no direct funding here for homeowners, but if you're a Pennsylvania resident planning a heat pump upgrade, this is a sign the state is investing in the labor side of that market. People interested in the training itself, whether as a worker, employer, or training provider, can find details at PennHPP.com.