A national focused multi-disciplinary approach to central the heat pump water heaters (CHPWHs) product development and market transformation is underway. This model is based on 10 years of CHPWH demonstration experience working with developers, municipalities, design firms and manufacturers.
Our vision – By 2026, CHPWHs are the product of choice in 95% of new multifamily construction.
Last April, the CHPWH work group developed an accelerated approach to transform the CHPWH market. Operating as part of the New Building Institute’s (NBI) Advanced Water Heating Initiative (AWHI), the team developed a programmatic approach for managing policy matters, manufacturer engagement and utility program development.
Our strategy, focuses on the new construction multifamily beachhead market in major markets. This represents one of the largest growing sectors across the country and a place where CHPWH systems can gain a stronghold market share. The strategy focuses our product development, training and policy limited resources on one key area.Our success in the new construction multifamily market segment (the proverbial beachhead), will allow CHPWH systems to move on to attract adjacent market segments such as hospitality, commercial and other areas. Each new market segment will leverage the positive outcomes of already acquired customers as a launchpad to win over the new segment.
Our approach focuses on three key areas: PRICE, PRODUCTS and the CUSTOMER.
PRICE – Competitive Product Pricing: The product has to be priced right. Price can be manipulated using two categories of tools: (A) Codes may mandate the products; or (B) Various up, middle or downstream incentives can be applied to make the price competitive with the next best product.
PRODUCTS – Product are fully packaged plug-and-play systems. A CHPWH system includes the compressor, temperature maintenance, mixing valves and storage all operating at a COP of 3 or above. Multiple manufacturers’ must have products available in local markets. Each system must be plug-and-play, be capable of load shifting, and be a low GWP refrigerant. The products must have known quantifiable, repeatable, and persistent energy savings. The program must partner with manufacturers to bring products through the development pipeline and exit with design guidelines, performance maps, and system metrics.
CUSTOMER – Market actors know how to sell, install and operate the system. The ultimate goal is to ensure that every market actor knows how to design, install, commission, operate, and optimize the product AND they want the product. Using a novel stakeholder analysis and change management approach, the team is simultaneously developing model incentives and program offerings while demonstrating product performance and design. The team’s outputs will produce deliverables that address market actor needs. Our approach is continuously engaging stakeholders to ensure rapid and successful market penetration.
The interdisciplinary approach to managing price, product and the customer/market accelerates market transformation. It ensures consistent feedback to manufacturers for product development demonstration and deployment; provides reliable messaging to all market actors; and coordinates engagement in multiple policy forums to successfully shape codes, standards, incentives and specifications.
Join Us!
2021 is going to be a pivotal year for CHPWH systems development. Our teams will be developing the following accomplishments.
