Two Richmond homes, one belonging to a marine veteran and the other to a retired elementary school teacher, now have more reliable, cost-saving heat pumps after receiving free high-efficiency upgrades.
Each resident reportely received a new Rheem ProTerra Heat Pump Water Heater and a Fujitsu mini-split system to replace outdated equipment. NewWrx Plumbing and Rheem Manufacturing provided all equipment and labor for free during the first-ever California Heat Pump Week from April 11–19. The installations aim to show how systems that use less electricity can provide lasting financial relief while supporting the state’s goal of installing 6 million heat pumps by 2030.
Heat pumps are more efficient than traditional systems because they move existing heat from the air or ground into your home rather than burning fuel or using electricity to create new heat.
The Richmond home projects were part of a statewide effort led by the California Heat Pump Partnership (CAHPP) to help residents adopt energy-saving technology. Alongside these home projects, the group held a job training program at a San Jose trade school. Rheem collaborated with partners like Ferguson and CLEAResult to provide students and local plumbers with practical experience. This session focused on installing and maintaining different types of heat pumps to ensure the local workforce can meet the growing demand for efficient home systems.
