Installing HPWHs in Small Spaces: Lessons from the Amazing Shrinking Room

Research has shown that the ultimate operating efficiency for HPWHs depends as much on the installation conditions as the equipment selection itself. This course will share what we learned from a series of practical, shrinking room experiments about why, and how much, the installation spaces impact efficiency and, most importantly, practices for successful installations. We will dive into space requirements and venting strategies for heat pump water heaters to enhance both new construction and retrofit installations. The results provide actionable guidance for manufacturers, designers, engineers, installers, and owners. In addition to sharing the results of the laboratory tests, the presentation will also discuss the thermodynamic principles behind them. The session will provide participants with practical guidelines and design tools ready to implement as well as a framework for predicting how different design choices are likely to affect HPWH performance in a given installation space.