On October 23, 2025, the Advanced Water Heating Initiative (AWHI) announced the recipients of the 2025 Excellence in Water Heating Awards as a part of the Heat Pump Water Day program. These honors recognize the following outstanding individuals and organizations leading the way to high-performance water heating across the U.S.
Commercial HPWH Market Transformer
Recipient: Carbon Zero Buildings, represented by Andy McNamara and Greg Sherman, principals and co-founders
Presented by: Helen Townsend, D+R International
Awarded for a commercial HPWH installation, product release, or strategy that accelerates market adoption.
McNamara and Sherman shared, “We’re incredibly proud to have electrified water heating for over 6,000 units of multifamily housing. By eliminating swing tanks from our designs, we’ve achieved a true system COP of over 3.5—a 75% efficiency improvement—while also reducing installation costs.”
Residential HPWH Market Transformer
Recipient: Efficiency Maine, represented by Andy Meyer, senior program manager
Presented by: Owen Howlett, California Energy Commission
Awarded for a residential HPWH product release or strategy that drives widespread adoption.
Efficiency Maine has incentivized over 80,000 HPWH installations in a state with approximately 180,000 water heaters. Their focus is on making HPWHs the obvious choice for anyone seeking to replace a traditional electric water heater.
Meyer said, “By collaborating with manufacturers, retailers, distributors, plumbers, and other allies, Efficiency Maine has helped inspire Mainers to help make HPWHs the most popular water heater in Maine.”
HPWH Equity Program Excellence
Recipient: Energy Savings Assistance Program (ESA), Southern California Edison, represented by Davi Ibarra, senior advisor
Presented by: Deepti Dutt, AWHI Equity Working Group
Awarded for expanding HPWH adoption through innovative and equitable programming.
Ibarra relayed, “Together we’ve been striving to make a real difference in the lives of income qualified customers’ homes. Since 2023, ESA has installed over 1,700 heat pump water heaters helping low-income families lower their energy bills, improve their comfort, and support California’s clean energy future.”
HPWH New Construction Excellence
Recipient: Beazer Homes USA, Inc., represented by Brian Shanks, manager, governmental affairs
Presented by: Paul Campbell, ICF
Awarded to a builder excelling in residential or multifamily HPWH installations in new construction.
Shanks said, “We aim to deliver extraordinary value at affordable prices. By prioritizing energy efficiency—including heat pump water heaters—we help homeowners reduce upkeep costs and free up disposable income.”
Star HPWH Installer
Recipient: Greencat, represented by Raymond Moreno, production manager
Presented by: Marnese Jackson, Midwest Building Decarbonization Coalition
Awarded for exceptional commitment to HPWH installation in residential or commercial settings.
Greencat has installed 1,311 free HPWHs in disadvantaged communities using Golden State Rebates and other California incentives—removing financial barriers and expanding access to this energy-efficient technology.—
We’re excited to celebrate them and look forward to shining a light on their work throughout the year!
Why This Work Matters
- Cost Savings: ENERGY STAR estimates a family of four can save $500 annually by switching from electric resistance to a HPWH.
- Energy Impact: Nationwide adoption could save $124 billion and 17 quads of energy over 30 years—while creating jobs in installation and manufacturing.
- Carbon Reduction: Replacing a gas water heater with a HPWH can reduce CO₂ emissions by over 2,000 lb annually—that’s equivalent to planting 17 trees for 10 years.
- Additional Benefits: HPWHs offer emergency backup water storage and dehumidification as a byproduct.
- Cleaner Infrastructure: All of this can be done without the pollution and infrastructure demands of fossil fuel systems.
About the Advanced Water Heating Initiative (AWHI)
AWHI is a member-funded collaborative working to scale HPWH adoption through policy, market development, product innovation, and supply chain education. Members include building owners, utilities, governments, manufacturers, engineers, installers, advocates, and researchers. AWHI fosters collective action to drive meaningful change. Learn more about AWHI.