August Newsletter

Welcome to the August edition of Gradient’s newsletter! ??

Keep reading for the latest updates on our team and the

All-Weather 120V window heat pump, as well as insights into our latest projects.?

Product development updates

Last November we installed 37 units in New York City public housing as part of our NYCHA demonstration project. Monitoring these units over the past nine months has provided invaluable feedback from residents and helped us make big improvements in our current product.

Early testing

In April 2024, we began user testing on Gradient’s Engineering Validation Test (EVT) class of units. An EVT unit incorporates nearly every aspect of our “launch-intent” product, including aesthetics, materials, and functionality. ??

Initial focused testing with EVT units at the Gradient office provided rapid feedback, and alpha testing started in May, with units being rotated among a mix of employee homes. We use alpha testing to gather insights from real-world usage in different settings.?

Beta testing

More recently, beta testing began nationwide in July and will run until the end of September. Beta testing helps us gather critical feedback from a broader audience of folks who are less familiar with the product and using it for the first time in their homes. ???

Our beta testers are spread across the country, covering various climate zones, including the extreme heat and humidity of Florida and Arizona. ???

They tell us how the installation went, what it’s like to use the unit, and much more. A key focus is on usability and comfort controls.

What have we learned so far?

Alpha testing has provided critical feedback, particularly from the family members, roommates, and friends of our employees. This feedback led to important design changes and improvements, including the innovative Gradient UI dial, as well as each unit’s airflow and noise management.?

One example: We refined our touch screen display to offer a wide range of customization and make it even easier to use. Early user testing highlighted the importance of clear communication and intuitive controls, leading to lots of small but impactful improvements in UI design.?

We also focused on creating an ideal indoor noise experience – we wanted smooth transitions and minimized disruptions. As a result of testing and user feedback, our variable speed compressor and controlled fan speeds have been optimized. ??

Want to join our beta test group?

Although our summer beta group is currently full, we’ll do another round of beta testing in early Fall. If you have a Gradient-friendly window and want to participate, please sign up here.

Incentives and other exciting developments?

Incentives

Great news: The All-Weather 120V window heat pump is expected to qualify for various incentives.?

We’ve been working closely with incentive program administrators to adapt existing heat pump incentives to include window heat pumps as a product type. Incentive programs in New York and Massachusetts will likely be among the first to recognize this new product category. ??

If you have a multifamily heat pump project in these areas, reach out to learn if you might qualify. You can also subscribe to our newsletter for more updates as we continue to secure these benefits for our customers.

Exciting news from ENERGY STAR!

ENERGY STAR has released a test method for measuring the efficiency of window ACs in heating mode?

This method defines a new metric, the Heating Energy Efficiency Ratio (HEER), which measures the seasonal efficiency of a window heat pump. ?? HEER is similar to the Heating Seasonal Performance Factor (HSPF2) that defines seasonal efficiency for mini split or ducted heat pumps.?

This advancement means uniform and enhanced reporting of heating performance across the industry.? It also means better access to incentives for our customers. ??

We’re proud to have pioneered this product category and to have contributed to the test method through the comments we submitted.

Most of all, we’re grateful to ENERGY STAR for the leadership and urgency they’ve shown in advancing their programs as the industry evolves.

Gradient updates?

Resilient New Orleans Innovation Challenge?

We’re thrilled to announce that Gradient has been chosen as a winner of the Resilient New Orleans Innovation Challenge! This initiative focuses on the future of housing by integrating advanced technology to create affordable, resilient homes. We’re so honored to join in this commitment to New Orleans communities. ??

Read more about this exciting update in our recent blog post!

Urban Future Forum Panel

Our CEO Vince recently spoke on the panel at the first-ever Urban Future Forum alongside representatives from NYCHA, where we installed 36 All-Weather 120V window heat pumps. ?

This engaging and thoughtful discussion focused on making climate innovation actionable. Ensuring community voices are heard in these vital conversations is crucial, and we're thrilled to support this mission.?

The panel was captured on video (click here) – have a look to learn more about innovative approaches in this space.?