MTI Development

All-electric residential heat pump water heaters (HPWHs) employ a compressor-based heating system to extract heat from the air and use it to heat water, making them far more efficient than conventional electric and gas water heaters. They also generate significantly fewer emissions than gas water heaters.    

Nearly all residential HPWH products are “hybrid heat pump” models that also include electric resistance heating elements for backup heating. These heating elements improve recovery times in periods of high demand for hot water, but they draw about 10x the power of the heat pump, so it is important for HPWHs to be sized, installed, and controlled to minimize the use of resistance backup during periods of high demand on the electricity grid.  Learn more.

Single-pane replacement (SPR) utilizes the unique properties of vacuum-insulated glass (VIG) to increase uptake and investment in commercial retrofits, especially for buildings with single pane glass. SPR involves the use of ultra-high-performance VIG with a nominal thickness of ¼” to ½” and an insulating R-Value of R-10 to R-15. VIG replaces a ¼” single-pane glass in existing commercial frames and improves thermal performance of the glass by a factor of 5-10x. SPR with VIG provides fuel neutral savings and reduces HVAC load by as much as 40%. The reduced load then provides an easier pathway for commercial building owners to convert from conventional HVAC systems to heat pump systems at reduced electrical load.    

Alternatives to VIG include commercial secondary windows (CSW). CSWs attach to the interior or exterior of the existing window, creating an additional insulating layer and offering options for solar control via low-E films. CSWs improve room comfort less than VIG replacements, but still significantly reduce HVAC load, are a more mature technology, less expensive and, like VIG replacements, can be installed without opening the façade or disrupting occupants. Learn more.

Medium-duty electric commercial water heaters with the ability to meet the unique hot water demand, delivery/recovery rate, and water temperature requirements of the foodservice industry offer significant emissions reductions and energy savings relative to the incumbent gas water heating technology used in most commercial kitchens. Opportunities to improve efficiency of electric water heating systems include: 1) integrated multi-function heat pump systems that provide simultaneous space cooling and water heating; and 2) heat recovery systems that capture waste heat from kitchens and dishwashing machines to pre-heat water or reduce overall hot water demand. Learn more.

Room heat humps (aka micro heat pumps) are affordable, self-contained consumer products that provide efficient heating and cooling for small spaces. These devices can be self-installed and plugged into standard 110-volt outlets. CalMTA will promote units that can still provide heat when the outdoor air temperature is below 41F, include air filtration, use low GWP refrigerants, and incorporate controls to allow the units to be grid-responsive in the future.  

Rooftop units (RTUs) are forced-air systems that package the evaporator, condenser coils, fans, and heating components into a single unit to serve a building’s heating, cooling, and ventilation needs. Three main design improvements addressing supply efficiency, heat recovery, and an improved shell can deliver 10–40% energy savings beyond today’s minimum efficiency RTUs. Greater savings and grid benefits can be achieved through the addition of advanced controls strategies.  

Induction cooking devices use electromagnetic induction to heat cookware directly. Unlike traditional gas or electric stoves, which heat the burner, and the burner in turn heats the cookware, induction stoves work by directly heating the cooking vessel. They save energy through instant, direct, and efficient heat transfer, and provide precise temperature control. They do not emit noxious gases that contribute to reduced indoor air quality. Induction cooking devices are available on combined stove/oven units, as a cooktop installed in a countertop, or as portable plug-in countertop units.