Cala Systems Announces $5.6 Million Seed Round and Makes its Intelligent Heat Pump Water Heater Available for Preorder
06 August 2024 - 2:30PM
Cala Systems (Cala), creator of highly-intelligent heat pump water
heaters that ensure comfort, save energy, reduce emissions, and
integrate with the home, today announced $5.6 million in seed
funding and the commercial launch of its product. The round was led
by the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) and Clean Energy
Venture Group, and included Burnt Island Ventures, Leap Forward
Ventures, CapeVista Capital, Collaborative Fund, and Climate
Capital. Cala’s heat pump water heater (HPWH) is now available for
preorder on its website, with initial deliveries expected in the
first half of 2025.
Cala has developed a highly efficient and intelligent heat pump
system that heats water based on the patterns of hot water use in
each home and the preferences of the homeowner. By understanding
each home’s hot water patterns, Cala improves hot water
availability during times of high demand and minimizes costs. In
addition, homeowners can tailor water heating to their home and
priorities; including synchronizing water heating with the power
output of their home solar system, minimizing their greenhouse gas
emissions by coordinating water heating with times of clean
electricity on the grid, decreasing costs for homes with variable
electric rates, preheating water before potential power
disruptions, and more.
To achieve this, Cala combines sensors and advanced hardware
with patented predictive control software originally developed by
the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy
Laboratory (NREL). Cala’s predictive controls blend artificial
intelligence and physics-based techniques, enabling the system to
plan ahead for future hot water use, and whatever other inputs
(home solar output, electricity price, etc.) the homeowner has
activated in the Cala app. It also incorporates a variable speed
compressor and an integrated mixing valve, which enable it to take
full advantage of its predictive controls by increasing water
heating efficiency and producing more hot water when
beneficial.
Cala’s HPWH is poised to benefit both homeowners and installers
with local, state, and federal incentives, including up to a 30%
tax rebate through the Inflation Reduction Act. Cala will conduct
final assembly in Massachusetts, bringing high-quality, green
manufacturing jobs to the local economy.
“Heat pump water heaters are beginning to grow rapidly because
of their enormous savings and greenhouse gas reductions,” said
Michael Rigney, CEO and Cofounder of Cala Systems. “Today’s heat
pump water heaters are designed to deliver heat into the tank when
the water is cold, a design that is virtually unchanged for the
past 130 years. By contrast, our intelligent heat pump water heater
is not only better at ensuring hot water is available and reducing
cost, but also accounts for the other needs and goals of each
homeowner. Cala is a superior way to heat water.”
Beyond developing and manufacturing its intelligent, efficient
HPWH, Cala is also addressing obstacles to HPWH adoption by
establishing a network of professional plumbers, electricians and
HVAC contractors, as well as other partners, to support
installation. To date, the company has already signed over ten
Letters of Intent (LOIs) with installers.
Cala’s founders and senior team bring significant experience in
the fields of consumer hardware, heat pumps, energy, and the built
environment. CEO and Cofounder Michael Rigney has over 20 years of
start-up experience at companies including EnerNOC, EnergySavvy and
BlueTarp Financial. VP of Hardware and Cofounder, Mike Ting, led
hardware and product management teams as Bose and SharkNinja.
Cala’s senior leadership and key advisors are drawn from prominent
companies including Nike, Google, Nest, Span, Gradient, and James
Hardie.
“Other heat pump water heaters leave both money and emissions
savings on the table because they don’t use the core technology as
effectively as possible. Cala’s unit is the only one that
seamlessly integrates with the home and the customer’s lifestyle to
deliver an exceptional experience and maximum savings. The team has
done remarkable work,” said Tom Ferguson, General Partner at Burnt
Island Ventures.
“Heat pump water heaters are an essential tool for meeting our
climate goals, and Cala’s innovative design realizes their full
potential to cut emissions while helping residents save money and
improve comfort,” said Susan Stewart, Managing Director of
Investments at Massachusetts Clean Energy Center. “MassCEC is
thrilled to support the Cala team through our 2030 Investment Fund
as they grow their business and create jobs in Massachusetts to
meet customer demand across the country.”
About Cala SystemsCala Systems (“Cala”) designs
and builds intelligent heat pump water heaters that redefine the
water heating category. Blending advanced sensors, hardware and
predictive technology, Cala’s intelligent heat pump water heater
operates based on the patterns of hot water use in each home and
the priorities of each homeowner. As a result, Cala improves hot
water comfort, maximizes savings, minimizes carbon emissions, and
delivers numerous first-of-a-kind features such as integrating with
home solar and battery systems and preheating before power outages.
Built by energy and hardware industry veterans and backed by
leading climate and water investors, Cala will begin initial
deliveries in the first half of 2025. To learn more, visit
calasystems.com.
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