Qualicum Beach councillor Anne Skipsey raised concerns about heat pumps.
At council’s regular meeting on July 20, Skipsey indicated that heat pumps are becoming more popular and for good reasons. But they can also be detrimental to the community.
“They can be noisy,” Skipsey commented. “Especially the more economical models. So this combined with I think our trend to decrease lot sizes and the location of heat pumps has the potential to negatively impact our neighbours. So I would like to see the town being proactive in this regard.”
Skipsey made a motion directing staff to provide a report for council’s consideration on current best practices associated with permitting processes on heat pumps and their associated location requirements.
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Coun. Scott Harrison pointed out heat pumps do reduce the town’s greenhouse gas emissions and are ideal for a lot of homes. They’re economical and that makes a difference, he said.
With the high cost of oil and gas, heat pumps are seen as a meaningful alternative to heat or cool homes. It’s a system that is cheaper and moves around thermal energy. They extract warm air inside the house during summer and can draw heat into the building during the winter months.
Some European countries’, like Italy and Germany, governments are providing incentives to help homes be retrofitted with heat pumps. Harrison suggested they could lobby Parksville-Qualicum MLA Adam Walker to get the province to do the same.
Coun. Teunis Westbroek said they have been getting letters about heat pumps.
“I think, to have a plan of how to deal with it, it may take some time,” said Westbroek. “We didn’t put a date on it, but people know we are aware. It’s on the list of things for us to consider.”