2025 Excellence in Water Heating Awards
Commercial HPWH Market Transformer
Recognition given to a commercial HPWH manufacturer or program for a commercial HPWH installation, product release, or innovative strategy to encourage commercial HPWH adoption.
Andy McNamara & Greg Sherman, Carbon Zero Buildings
Residential HPWH Market Transformer
Recognition given to a residential HPWH manufacturer or program for a HPWH product release or innovative strategy to encourage HPWH adoption.
Efficiency Maine
HPWH Equity Program Excellence
Davi Ibarra, Energy Savings Assistance (ESA), Southern California Edison
Recognition given to an individual or organization created a program that expands HPWH adoption in innovative and equitable ways.
HPWH New Construction Excellence
Beazer Homes
Recognition given to a builder who excels in residential or multi-family HPWH installations in new construction.
Star HPWH Installer
Greencat
Recognition given to an installer of commercial or residential HPWHs for their commitment to HPWH technology.
2024 Recognition Categories and Award Winners
Commercial HPWH Market Transformer:
Albert Rooks, President, Small Planet Supply/Waterdrop
This nominee stood out in the Commercial category for their installation work. Their fully prepackaged product dramatically reduces risk and complexity for designers and installers.
Residential HPWH Market Transformers
This program stood out in the Residential category for their work involving a variety of strategies to transform the market. Since launching in December 2021, they have incentivized nearly 11,000 heat pump water heaters installed by over 220 different contractors.
Cooper Marcus, Chief Quitter, QuitCarbon
This nominee stood out in the Residential category for their analysis and guidance service. Their work has generated nearly 1,200 cost-optimized home electrification roadmaps, and more than 160 HPWH installations.
HPWH Equity Program Excellence:
Code Bruder, Senior Technical Program Manager, The Energy Coalition
This nominee stood out in the equity category for their work helping public agencies electrify their facilities. In 2023 alone helped secure the installation of 87 HPWH units at 20 public agencies, with 83% of those units installed in disadvantaged communities. At The Energy Coalition, a 501c3 nonprofit organization, they empower communities, businesses, and public agencies to achieve energy efficiency, reduce costs, and build a sustainable future. With 50 years of experience, they design and implement innovative energy solutions while prioritizing equity and inclusion. Their work focuses on ensuring that underserved and equity-focused communities have access to clean energy resources, education, and opportunities to thrive.
HPWH New Construction Excellence:
This nominee stood out in the New Construction category for their work to install heat pump water heaters in virtually all their homes. This company singularly increased HPWH installations by 30%.
Star HPWH Installer:
This nominee stood out in the Installer category for their work helping customers and developing best practices for HPWH installations. They are instrumental in market transformation and reaching underserved community members in the Portland metro area.
Advanced Water Heating Lifetime Achievement:
Geoff Wickes, formerly with Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance
This nominee dedicated his career to transforming markets through innovative energy-efficient technologies, especially in the area of electric heat pump water heaters.