Small Commercial Heat Pump Water Heater Field Study 

Project Description

Most small commercial buildings are served by inefficient gas or electric resistance water heaters. These legacy systems waste energy in the form of heat (gas water heaters) or are very costly to operate (electric resistance).

Heat pump water heaters (HPWHs) offer a promising solution to both problems. And until now, they’re vastly understudied in small commercial applications.

AWHI is leading the largest-ever field study on HWPHs in small commercial buildings, with 26 sites including fast-food restaurants, community centers, offices, and more. This effort focuses on 120-gallon integrated HPWHs and CO2 refrigerant split systems, the most common options on the market.

Right now, all sites are in California, Texas, and the Northwest. However, AWHI hopes to expand this study into the Midwest and East Coast to explore small commercial HPWH performance in cold climates.

Timeline

We’re collecting data for 6-12 months per site using advanced monitoring equipment to collect minute-level info like hot water flow, power consumption, and ambient temperature. 

Research Goals

By the end of the study, we’ll have insights on the following: 

  1. The energy and cost savings potential of HPHWs across a variety of building types. 

  2. How factors like ambient temperature and hot water draw affect performance. 

  3. How recirculation (continuous or controlled) impacts energy efficiency of heat pump systems. 

  4. What commercial building sectors are best suited for 120-gallon vs split system heat pump water heaters. 

Here’s a sneak peak of our results, specifically for some of our food-service sites! 

Other Resources

Check out an article on some of our early findings from small commercial HPWHs in Food Service   

View a presentation on preliminary study results from an AWHI Commercial Working Group Meeting