Heat pumps are gaining popularity, with sales outpacing gas furnaces for the second year in a row. Homeowners who install heat pumps can also take advantage of incentives worth thousands under the Inflation Reduction Act. However, despite growing interest, consumer adoption is not keeping pace.
The Hurdles to Adoption
Paul Lambert, co-founder and CEO of Quilt, acknowledges that getting consumers to adopt new heating and cooling technology can be challenging. "No matter where someone is coming from today, what situation they’re in, we want them to feel like they’re upgrading," he says.
One of the main concerns with traditional heat pumps is their design. Mini-splits are common installations, which can appear bulky and unsightly on walls. Quilt aims to address this issue with its sleeker design that can be installed in more places around a room than competitors’ offerings.
A More Integrated Approach
Quilt’s heat pump system offers a centralized control setup, allowing users to adjust temperatures throughout their home from one physical device or the company’s app. This level of integration is not typically seen in consumer heat pumps.
"It’s kind of like a mesh network for Wi-Fi, where they’re all working together to heat and cool the house," Matt Knoll, co-founder and CTO, explains. "But then they have all the control in each space, too."
Occupancy Sensors and Energy Efficiency
Each Quilt head includes a millimeter-wave occupancy sensor, which provides more accurate readings than passive infrared sensors often used in traditional heat pumps. This ensures that energy is not wasted heating or cooling empty rooms.
"We’re not putting a camera in anyone’s homes," Lambert assures. "These are just signals on a graph that when interpreted just say there’s a person here or there isn’t."
Quilt Raises $33 Million to Expand Operations
In preparation for its product launch, Quilt has raised a significant $33 million Series A round led by Energy Impact Partners and Galvanize Climate Solutions. The company plans to use this funding to expand its marketing efforts and installer capacity.
"It’s kind of like we’ve built this core R&D organization; now we’re moving into the next phase," Lambert notes.
A Bright Future for Heat Pumps?
As heat pumps continue to gain traction, it will be essential for companies like Quilt to address consumer concerns and provide innovative solutions that make these technologies more accessible and appealing.
With its focus on design, integration, and energy efficiency, Quilt is well-positioned to help drive the adoption of heat pumps and contribute to a more sustainable future.
