Suraj Lobo describes his small business as an energy-efficiency company that installs and services all-climate HVAC systems. Not only did Progressive Comfort Solutions switch its entire fleet to electric vans to become more sustainable, but its goal is to offer solar panel installations in the future, along with its core offering of all-electric, all-climate heat pumps.

In fact, Suraj is so committed to electrification that the company doesn’t service or install conventional, fossil fuel-fired furnaces of any kind unless it’s to replace them with all-climate, variable-capacity heat pumps. His focus is on helping to electrify Seattle, and he’s doing so through being a self-described “one-brand HVAC wonder.” Specifically, Progressive Comfort Solutions is Washington’s premier HVAC contractor, exclusively specializing in the installation and maintenance of Mitsubishi Electric all-climate heat pump systems.

In Seattle, the Heat is On

Seattle is no longer known as the least air-conditioned major metro area in the United States. Summers are getting warmer and more humid, and forest fires in the Pacific Northwest have become more prevalent, so creating ventilation through opening windows can be problematic as smoke and ash can seep inside.

Seattle also has a long history of environmentalism. The city’s Clean Heat Program, advertised on the Progressive Comfort Solutions website, helps residents move toward the goal of reducing pollution by incentivizing households to transition from heating with oil to all-electric heat pumps.

“I tell folks there are 100 ways to add heat to a space, but there’s only one way to get cool spaces effectively – and that’s through mechanical cooling,” said Suraj, a contractor who participates in the Mitsubishi Electric Diamond Contractor® Program. “Although we are a small company, we’ve installed more than 1,000 Mitsubishi Electric systems, and I’m proud to say we have not had a single failure.”

By following the installation manual and knowing basic refrigeration practices, he said all-climate heat pump systems will run for many years.

Busting All-Climate Heat Pumps Misconceptions

On the opposite end of the spectrum, when it comes to heating, Suraj’s favorite myth to dispel is that all-climate heat pumps can’t adequately heat spaces in the winter.

“There was a time when electric cars didn’t have much range. It’s not true anymore. There was a time when people said LED lights were too bright. It’s not true anymore. So the notion that heat pumps don’t function in cold temperatures is just not true anymore,” he said.

Last winter, Seattle experienced three consecutive weeks of below-freezing temperatures, “and not one system we installed failed,” Suraj said.

Using inverter-driven technology, all-climate heat pumps require minimal energy to provide optimal heating and cooling. Several Mitsubishi Electric systems provide 100% heating capacity at -13° F with continued operations well beyond.

Collaborating with Customers is Key

When designing an HVAC system, hundreds of options exist. Progressive Comfort Solutions collaborates with homeowners to find the right solution. For instance, a client with a 120-year-old Victorian home will want to keep the aesthetics of the historic structure intact. Mitsubishi Electric’s all-climate heat pump choices are expansive enough to fit the homeowners’ needs, and in this case, Suraj would recommend a ceiling cassette option that doesn’t detract from the house’s style.

“We get crafty, not just with the equipment, but with how we run piping through these beautiful homes,” he said. “People seek us out because we’re mindful of the total impact of the indoor equipment, outdoor equipment, and piping. We’re conscious of the entire package and we work to outfit homes with the heating and cooling solution that best fits the homeowners’ needs.”