Syracuse, N.Y. – New York’s aggressive plan to phase out heating systems that use natural gas or other fossil fuels has raised a lot of eyebrows since officials approved it last week.

The plan depends heavily on widespread adoption of air-source heat pumps, a technology that is common in warmer climates like the American South but far less familiar in Upstate NY.

Can pricey electric heat pumps really keep homes warm in our frigid winters?

The answer — according to several people who own them and others who have studied their performance — is yes. A new breed of “cold climate” air-source heat pump is a valid, energy-efficient heating option in Upstate New York.

But the cost is a concern. Installing an electric heat pump is more expensive than other heating systems, even after significant subsidies. The difference in cost is more pronounced when retrofitting an existing house, less so when installing a heat pump during new construction.

But it’s hard to generalize. Many subsidies are income-based. Some low-income residents have even gotten heat pumps for free.

Most of the state subsidies are paid for by utility customers. More money is coming next year from federal taxpayers. Even those who don’t install heat pumps are helping to pay for them.

Do heat pumps save money over the long run?

They are typically about three times more efficient than most traditional heating and cooling systems, although that advantage drops off rapidly at very low temperatures. Several…