AWHS Residential Chapter Revision
Heat Pump Water Heaters|HPWH|Water Heaters
Residential
Advanced Water Heating Specification Residential Chapter Revision
NEEA’s Advanced Water Heating Specification (AWHS) provides guidance to manufacturers in developing residential heat pump water heaters (HPWHs) capable of providing consumer satisfaction and energy efficiency. Additionally, NEEA’s residential HPWH Qualified Product List (QPL) recognizes products qualified by NEEA to the residential sections of the AWHS.
The AWHS addresses many factors, including varying operating conditions, cool climate efficiency (CCE), seasonal coefficient of performance (SCOP), installation guidance and design and warranty requirements. In 2026, NEEA intends to revise the residential AWHS to streamline it while retaining a framework for utilities and program operators to acquire energy efficiency resources.
With the updated federal standard (NAECA 4) coming into effect in 2029, NEEA seeks input on how to best position the AWHS to support the HPWH market and the transition to a future when the federal standard will require most electric storage water heaters to be heat pumps. Furthermore, NEEA seeks to maintain a well-defined, referenceable product list that instills confidence in product performance while remaining agile enough to foster innovation and encourage adoption.
Please direct questions regarding this process to Adam Gage.
NEEA will use all stakeholder feedback to produce a draft revision of the residential portion of the AWHS by June 30, 2026. This draft will be shared with stakeholders for an additional round of feedback. NEEA expects to publish the revision (version 9) of the AWHS in Q4 of 2026.