Heat pump maker’s retro sweats and joggers reframe climate tech as a lifestyle choice

As clean technology faces renewed political headwinds, heat pump maker Quilt is taking an unconventional approach to building consumer advocacy. The California startup, which caught our attention earlier this year with its design-forward heating and cooling units , just launched a capsule collection of retro-style branded apparel , including sweatshirts, pants, socks and hats.

The move represents a savvy pivot in how climate-tech companies engage with end users. While heat pumps have traditionally been viewed as utilitarian background infrastructure — equipment is often selected by HVAC contractors rather than homeowners, so incumbent manufacturers historically focused on trade relationships — Quilt is positioning its products as consumer-facing lifestyle choices worthy of declaration. The apparel line transforms an invisible home upgrade into a visible statement of values, tapping into the rise of ”climate dads ” and others eager to advocate for clean energy solutions.

The timing is particularly pointed given the uncertain future of clean energy incentives. With Donald Trump vowing to dismantle the Inflation Reduction Act’s tax credits and rebates in his second term — in line with populist politicians in other parts of the world — companies like Quilt are racing to build mainstream momentum for heat pump adoption while government support remains. By making climate action fun, communal and identity-driven rather than merely sensible and ”the right thing to do,” brands can ensure that sustainable choices maintain their appeal even as policy tailwinds shift.

• ???? How Gymshark's pop-up salon tackles hair as a barrier to fitness for Black women
• Trust, community, trending products... Shoppers are putting their dollars behind creators
• From kidults to senior gamers, brands play with blurred generational divides
• ???? Vasco da Gama’s new kit honors its anti-racist legacy with a sweat-activated design
• After 30 seconds of silence, what’s next?
• ???? WWF Japan to retailers: use shopping basket returns for votes on sustainability measures

Swamped with deadlines and 2025 planning nowhere in sight? ?? Whether it’s adapting to shifting consumer demands or keeping up with the latest breakthroughs in AI, planning ahead is harder than ever!

To the rescue: ProductLab : our brand-new, AI-powered ideation tool that does all the heavy lifting for you.

See ProductLab’s magic in action — watch the demo below ??

Ready to plan 2025 and beyond? ?? Try ProductLab today