# Startup Pascal Rethinks 170-Year-Old Heat Pump Technology

Pascal, a startup covered by TechCrunch, is developing a modernized heat pump design, arguing that the core technology — roughly 170 years old — is overdue for an overhaul. Heat pumps are increasingly central to building decarbonization, so efficiency and cost improvements from new designs could widen adoption. The company's claims have yet to be proven at commercial scale.

**Importance:** 2/5

## Sources

### Technology
- [TechCrunch](https://techcrunch.com/2026/10/21/heat-pump-tech-is-170-years-old-pascal-thinks-its-time-for-an-update/) — Wed, 21 Oct 2026 13:30:00 +0000