The Initiative for Better Energy, Emissions, and Equity (E3 Initiative) will focus on advancing the research, development, and national deployment of clean heating and cooling systems that include heat pumps, advanced water heaters, low-to-no global warming potential refrigerants, and smarter HVAC diagnostic tools in residential and commercial buildings. Over the coming decade, the E3 Initiative and its partners nationwide will strive to transform the heating and cooling marketplace, making affordable, clean and efficient solutions easily available across America. Learn more from the E3 Factsheet.

Through the E3 Initiative, DOE will work closely with stakeholders to develop regional solutions that support both technology innovations and accelerate deployment. To kick off the E3 Initiative, DOE is launching several efforts to make clean and efficient building technologies easier and cheaper to install and use.

Cold Climate Heat Pump Technology Challenge

As part of the E3 Initiative, DOE has launched the Residential Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge to accelerate performance of cold climate heat pump technologies. In partnership with heat pump manufacturers, DOE will develop a new technology specification for a high-performance cold climate heat pump, demonstrate its performance in the field, and launch pilot programs with utilities to identify and alleviate installation challenges. DOE is partnering with the US Environmental Protection Agency and Natural Resources Canada on this effort.

Nationwide Advanced Water Heating Deployment Initiative

BTO is partnering with the Advanced Water Heating Initiative, a collaborative, market transformation effort of over 50 organizations that works to catalyze a rapid transition to high-efficiency, grid-connected Heat Pump Water Heaters. Heat Pump Water Heaters (HPWHs) are a proven technology that is two to four times as efficient as common approaches to providing hot water. Through this partnership, DOE will support manufacturers and utilities on best practice programs aimed at accelerating adoption of heat pump water heaters in American homes.

Research and Development of Low- to No-GWP Refrigerants

Through a recently announced call for cooperative research and development agreement proposals, DOE’s National Laboratories will work with industry manufacturers to develop a more energy-efficient, cost-competitive residential heat pump water heater that uses a lower-emission refrigerant and alleviate the market barriers to its commercialization and market acceptance.

Focus on Workforce Solutions

The Residential HVAC Smart Diagnostic Tools Campaign helps contractors in commissioning new HVAC systems more efficiently and identifying malfunctions that reduce performance in existing systems through the use of smart diagnostic tools.

Partnering with Building Owners to Understand Implementation Challenges

DOE is also launching the Better Buildings Low Carbon Pilot, with more than 50 leading partners, including automakers, food service companies, universities, and local governments, working with DOE to share their experiences, successes, and challenges pursuing low-carbon strategies. The lessons learned help DOE and the broader energy market better understand the dynamics of emissions reduction, energy efficiency, cost savings, and resilience. Read the full list of partners participating in the Better Buildings Low Carbon Pilot.