Eneref Institute’s analysis highlights the contrast between durable brand-name heat pumps, designed to weather extreme conditions and protect vulnerable populations, and their low-cost, short-lived counterparts that are ill-equipped to handle the increasing demands of a warming climate. As consumers navigate an oversaturated market, with myriad options available from local retailers to online giants, the sobering reality remains: opting to invest in a reliable, high-quality heat pump is not merely a choice for comfort — it is a critical decision for health, safety, and environmental stewardship in an increasingly precarious world..

• Heat pumps are replacing air conditioners with unchanged designs for a century.
  

• Off-brand air conditioners’ shortcuts reduce lifespan in competitive markets.
  

• Rising obesity levels in the U.S. increase heat stroke risks.
  

• Low-cost air conditioners may employ planned obsolescence, increasing waste.