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.
Stakeholder feedback to the RFI informed product performance requirements, Qualified Product List criteria and alignment with upcoming federal standards. NEEA welcomes additional feedback on this draft revision of the residential AWHS through August 31, 2026. NEEA will use all stakeholder feedback to produce a final revision in the fourth quarter of 2026.