Advanced Water Heating Specification
NEEA’s Advanced Water Heating Specification provides guidance to manufacturers and market actors, helping the market to develop water heating products that provide high consumer satisfaction and better energy performance.
Advancing the Market for Heat Pump Water Heaters
Utilities, energy efficiency organizations and market partners developed the Advanced Water Heating Specification (AWHS) to advance higher performing electric and gas heat pump water heaters. While this specification is rooted in ensuring performance in cooler northern climates, its applicability and benefits extend well beyond the Northwest. The specification also enhances the end goals of NEEA’s water heating programs – to influence the passage of federal standards requiring heat pump levels of performance for both gas and electric storage water heaters.
The current version of the AWHS is version 8.1. Additional resources such as qualified products lists (QPLs) are available in the listed resources below.
Additional Resources
Electric Documents
Natural Gas Documents
Historical Documents
- Electric Advanced Water Heating Specification v8.0
Version 8.0 of the AWHS is listed only for reference purposes. For the most up-to-date specification, please see v8.1 above. - Electric Advanced Water Heating Specification v7.0
Version 7.0 of the AWHS is listed only for reference purposes. For the most up-to-date specification, please see v8.1 above. - Commercial HPWH Qualified Products List v8.0
This version coincides with AWHS 8.0 and is valid through June 30, 2024.
The Benefits of Market Collaboration
Explore how NEEA’s work in various markets is driving energy efficiency and creating lasting change.
Lighting
NEEA works across the commercial lighting market to ensure that Northwest homes and businesses see the benefits of energy-efficient lighting technologies.
Consumer Products
NEEA’s work in the consumer products market ensures that efficient products are widely available for consumers across the Northwest and beyond.
Water Heating
NEEA’s work in the water heating market helps deliver efficient, high-performance solutions tailored for Northwest consumers that enhance everyday comfort.
Explore Other Product Specifications
+ System Requirements
High-Efficiency Clothes Dryers
Since 2017, NEEA has led standardized real-world testing to help identify the most energy-efficient dryers. By evaluating different load sizes and fabric types, this approach provides a more accurate measure of energy use. NEEA’s QPL highlights dryers that meet these efficiency standards.
Cold Climate
Ductless Heat Pump Specification
This document offers guidance on maximizing the performance and longevity of cold climate ductless heat pumps (DHPs). It also covers unique design considerations for multi-level homes, very low load homes, and air distribution in rooms without heat sources.
Very High Efficiency Dedicated Outside Air System Requirements
Developed through research and market analysis, this document guides manufacturers, designers, and specifiers on key components of high-efficiency systems to enhance indoor-air quality, improve occupant comfort, and reduce energy use.