You’ve probably heard customers complain about running out of hot water. Michael Rigney believes that is now a problem of the past.
Rigney’s company, Cala Systems, offers a highly efficient, intelligent heat pump system that heats water based on the patterns of hot water use in each home and the priorities of each homeowner, such as the power output of their home solar system, greenhouse gas emissions from their local electricity, the changing price of their electricity, operation of a home battery or backup generator, and potential power disruptions in their area. The Cala Heat Pump Water Heater combines sensors, data streams and predictive control software that utilizes algorithms, blending model predictive control intelligence and physics-based techniques, enabling it to plan ahead for future hot water use.
“Our first product is a 65-gallon unitary heat pump water heater intended for single family homes,” says Rigney. “Let’s talk about ensuring comfort for a moment. With a traditional tank water heater of any kind, a whole family could shower at the same time — think of kids fighting in the hallway to see who’s next — and their water heater wouldn’t make any adjustments. Cala gives plumbers a product that is superior.”
According to Rigney, the product underwent three years of research development, including extensive simulation, lab and field testing. “Through this process, the architecture for Cala was finalized: flow sensor, multiple data streams, predictive controls, variable-speed compressor, and integrated mixing valve,” he says. “All of these components are necessary to realize the full benefits of heat pump water heater technology. A key principle here is that the tank creates flexibility about when, how fast, and to what temperature the water is heated.”
The unit improves hot water availability during periods of high demand, minimizes costs, adjusts to variable electricity prices, reduces carbon emissions, integrates with home systems like solar, battery and backup generation. Homeowners can also benefit from local, state and federal support for heat pump water heaters, including 30% rebates through the Inflation Reduction Act.
“Our homeowners have been really happy,” says Rigney. “First and foremost, they haven’t gotten cold water — and that’s their top priority. It’s our top priority, too; we know that ensuring comfortable hot water is job No. 1. Our homeowners have been really happy with savings and advanced features like syncing with home solar.”
