This startup wants to turn your water heater into a smart thermal battery
Unless your shower turns cold, you probably don’t give much thought to your water heater. But it’s a major energy user in the home, and unlike solar panels or heat pumps, it’s gotten relatively little attention as a piece of smart home tech. A new startup is trying to change that. The company, called Reservoir , designed a heat pump water heater that predicts when you’ll need hot water and heats…
A new startup called Reservoir is aiming to transform water heaters into smart, energy-efficient devices. The company's heat pump water heater learns your hot water usage habits and heats water in advance, taking advantage of the cheapest electricity rates. This can lead to significant savings on energy bills, with the company claiming up to $800 in annual savings.
Co-founders Luke Winston-Almanzar and Gabriel Parisi-Amon recognized the inefficiencies of existing water heaters, which they found to be noisy, slow to heat water, and lacking in smart features. To address these issues, they partnered with Jake Felser, a former rocket engine builder at Blue Origin. Reservoir's water heater not only predicts when you'll need hot water but also heats up pipes beforehand to ensure hot water is readily available.
It can also utilize solar power and act as a grid-scale thermal battery, storing excess renewable energy and reducing strain on the grid during peak demand. The company's design also includes features like recirculation pumps, leak detection, and water pressure regulation to prevent damage to pipes. Reservoir's water heater is currently priced at less than $4,000, including installation, making it more affordable than many gas water heaters. The company has raised $8 million in seed funding and plans to expand its reach to other cities.
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