2022 Quick Start Grant Recipients
Viridis Consulting Heather Village
Decarbonizing a Multi-Owner Equity Community
Research Question
Can a Homeowner Association-led effort accelerate the transition of an historically excluded community with an aging housing stock to heat pump at a lower cost per unit?
Overview
This pilot will fill a technical gap in understanding what it will take to electrify an entire community by using the decision-making of a Homeowner Association (HOA). Pilot activities include a technical feasibility study, updates to HOA charter to facilitate electrification, a demonstration project combined with owner education and a streamline process to gain buy-in.
Market Barrier
HOA rules governing the exterior appearance of buildings have been a barrier to the deployment of heat pumps in multifamily projects. In old buildings high capital investment and potential electric panel upgrades are also a barrier to electrification of aging housing stock.
Proposed Solution
The HOA will play a key role in this pilot deployment to educate owners and streamline the installation process. An A feasibility study, combined with an electric heat pump water heater demonstration project, will address technical opportunities and challenges, and kick start the community’s path toward electrification.
Theory of Change
If a homeowner’s association governing structure is utilized to leverage purchasing economies of scale and to educate hundreds of homeowners simultaneously on the benefits of heat pumps, then entire historically excluded communities of aging housing stock will transition to heat pump rapidly and at a lower cost per unit.
Housing Type:
Multifamily housing governed by an HOA
Technology:
HPWH, HP HVAC/Mini-split (tbd)
Location:
Fox Hills neighborhood, Culver City