Residential

240-Volt: Working to increase the installation of 240-volt HPWHs in residential applications. These are also referred to as unitary.

Policy and program levers are essential to increasing market penetration and equitable transition to HPWHs. New residential construction and replacing existing electric water heaters are the primary market segments that will result in the fastest increase in installations. This work group is laying the foundation of HPWHs as the new industry norm.

120-Volt: Developing a plug-in “Retrofit Ready” HPWH for existing homes that need to replace a gas water heater.

Gas-to-electric heat pump water heaters replacements can be more complicated, especially when the home does not have the adequate electric panel capacity and outlets. This work group has developed a “Retrofit Ready” HPWH specification that can easily plug into an existing 120-volt electrical outlet. The new 120-volt HPWHs are planned for demonstration and testing in the next year to ensure they meet consumer needs.

Commercial

Working to expand central HPWHs applications for multifamily.

Commercial HPWHs are ideally suited for multifamily applications such as apartment buildings, hotels and dormitories.  Centrally located systems can provide occupants with high comfort at a low cost while decreasing carbon emissions and improving the living environment.

The Commercial HPWH work group is using a multi-disciplinary approach working with developers, municipalities, design firms and manufacturers to develop plug and play “packaged” systems. The work group is tackling three areas to increase market adoption areas: price, product and customer. Partners have spearheaded development of free tools like the Ecosizer for sizing central water heating systems.

To learn more please visit the Central Heat Pump Working Group webpage.

Connectivity

Ensuring HPWH’s effective integration into the electricity grid.

The Connectivity and Controls working group is focused on the communication capability of all types of heat pump water heaters so they can respond to time-of-use rate and demand signals from grid operators. This will ensure that the technology harmonizes the energy supply-side load and carbon impact of electricity generation. This working group is working upstream of all heat pump water heaters products to develop, validate, and deliver grid integrated control hardware, software, and protocols.