For years, residents of the Woodside Houses in Queens struggled with inconsistent heating.
Steam radiators, powered by natural gas, often fail to provide reliable warmth.
On cold days, some apartments had no heat, while on warmer days, the radiators blasted too much heat, forcing tenants to open windows to cool down their homes.
Sometimes, the radiators would take hours to warm up, only to become too hot when the weather changed.
- NYCHA’s new heat pumps at Woodside Houses use 87% less energy and cut heating costs by nearly 50%.
- Residents have better temperature control, providing consistent and adjustable heating and cooling for residents.
- The window-mounted heat pumps cost around $3,000 per unit, are installed in two hours, and don’t require costly electrical upgrades.
Heat Pumps Replace Unreliable Steam Radiators
To address these problems, the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) launched a test program to replace steam radiators with electric heat pumps.
In July 2023, NYCHA installed the first heat pumps in 12 apartments at Woodside Houses. Later, another 12 units were installed, bringing the total to 72 heat pumps across two buildings. The results were clear and measurable.
According to NYCHA’s analysis, the heat pumps reduced energy use by 87% and lowered heating costs by almost 50%. Seeing the benefits, NYCHA now plans to install heat pumps in an entire building at Woodside Houses by fall 2025.
Eventually, all 19 buildings in the complex will have these new heating systems, and similar upgrades will happen in other NYCHA buildings across New York City.
How Heat Pumps Work and Why They’re Better
Heat pumps operate differently from traditional steam radiators. Instead of burning fuel, they pull warmth from the air outside and transfer it inside.
In the summer, heat pumps work in reverse, removing heat from the inside and cooling the room, which makes them more efficient than both boilers and air conditioners. They operate on electricity, unlike boilers that burn fuel on-site, which helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Since New York City’s buildings produce the most emissions of any sector, switching to heat pumps could help the city meet its environmental goals.
In 2021, NYCHA, the New York Power Authority, and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority launched a contest to encourage companies to design an affordable, easy-to-install heat pump.
The challenge required that the units cost under $3,000 and not require major construction work. Two companies won contracts.
Based in New Jersey, Midea America was awarded 20,000 units, while Gradient, based in California, secured a contract for 10,000.
These partnerships helped bring the cost down and made heat pumps more accessible to more renters and homeowners.
Residents Adjust to the New System
At first, some residents were unsure about the new units.
The heat pumps, which are about the size of a dishwasher, are installed in windows, much like air conditioners. Some people worried they would take up too much space or be difficult to use. However, once winter arrived, many residents changed their minds.
The units provided steady, adjustable heat, something they never had with steam radiators.
Hector Rivera, one of the residents whose apartment was fitted with Gradient heat pumps, initially had some issues. One unit leaked, and another didn’t heat properly.
Nonetheless, technicians quickly fixed the problems, and Rivera said he now prefers the heat pumps over the old radiators. He especially liked that each room could be set to a different temperature.
Before, the radiators often dried out the air, which made breathing uncomfortable. Now, he said, the air quality is better, and he no longer experiences a dry throat from overheating.
Another resident, Roseline Vieira, had her apartment equipped with Midea heat pumps. She said they worked perfectly, and she could lower the temperature whenever she wanted. Vieira also appreciated the child-lock feature, which prevented her cats from accidentally changing the settings.
A Cost-Effective and Scalable Solution
One of the biggest challenges in upgrading heating systems is cost.
Installing a traditional central heat pump system in a NYCHA apartment would cost around $38,000. That price includes major electrical work and wall modifications, making it unrealistic for many buildings.
In contrast, the window-mounted heat pumps used at Woodside Houses cost about a third of that price. They plug into a regular wall outlet and take only two hours to install, making them a practical alternative for both public and private housing.
According to Punit Shah, vice president of buildings at Bright Power, one of the biggest barriers to switching to electric heating is the cost of upgrading a building’s electrical system.
Because these heat pumps don’t require those upgrades, they offer a more affordable option for many landlords and renters.
Gradient and Midea now sell these heat pumps commercially to those interested in purchasing their own unit. Prices range from $3,000 to $3,800, but buyers may qualify for federal tax credits and state rebates, making them more affordable.
The Future of Heating in Public Housing
The Woodside Houses pilot program has shown that electric heat pumps can successfully replace outdated steam radiators.
Residents have reported better comfort, lower heating costs, and more control over their indoor climate. So far, no one has complained about not getting enough heat, which suggests that the system is working well even in cold New York winters.
Tammy Reyes, president of the Woodside Houses Tenants Association, is excited about the change. Many see it as a sign that NYCHA is finally modernizing its buildings in a way that improves their daily lives.
As New York City continues to push for lower emissions and more energy-efficient housing, the Woodside Houses project could serve as a model for other public housing developments.
If the program expands as planned, thousands more NYCHA residents could soon have more reliable, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly heating in their homes.
