120V Heat Pump Water Heater (HPWH) Field Study
Transitioning to Energy Efficient Water Heating
In California, gas water heaters make up 93% of water heating systems and consume 40% of the gas supply[1]. Transitioning from fossil fuel-based water heaters to HPWHs is essential to achieve carbon emission goals and improve indoor air quality and building efficiency. However, existing market conditions and installation barriers often deter homeowners from installing traditional 240V HPWHs. Plug-in 120v HPWHs have the potential to address some of these barriers.
To identify the market potential of plug-in 120v HPWHs to meet customers’ needs and validate customer experience, NBI partnered with RHA on the 2023 120v HPWH Field Study to determine best practices, alongside contractors, on the installation of HPWHs and their efficiency in participant homes. RHA oversaw participant outreach, site selection and installation by RHA’s subcontractors and provided technical support to NBI and study participants.
Our Results
Potential participants pre-screened
Single-family and multifamily homes received HPWHs across 13 of California’s 16 climate zones
On a satisfaction scale of 1 (not at all satisfied) to 5 (extremely satisfied), 30 out of 32 participants responded with a 4 or 5 on their final post-installation survey.
Program
Activities
- Developed criteria for, recruited and screened study participants
- Coordinated installation of water heaters from three different manufactures
- Developed best practices alongside contractors
- Facilitated the installation and eventual removal of the monitoring equipment
- Worked closely with participants to document their experience
