In May 2023 The Energy Coordinating Agency (ECA) launched their Heat Pump Lab. With the help of numerous sponsors the lab aims to teach everyone from high school students embarking on an HVAC career to seasoned workers how to work on heat pumps.
The training lab includes heat pump home cooling and heating systems, as well as other appliances that use heat pumps, including heat pump water heaters and heat pump clothes dryers.
ECA prioritizes disadvantaged individuals when filling the training spots. The training comes at no cost to these groups; their seats are paid for by grants and partner organizations.
The entrance to the lab acts as an introduction to the world of heat pumps. Two acrylic panels flank each side of the doors with a quick rundown on how the two main types of heat pumps work: water heaters, and air to air. Each panel features an illustrated diagram of each kind of heat pump and a step by step guide on the basics of how each works.
Above the entrance, is a series of smaller acrylic panels showcasing the names of each sponsor who contributed to the lab, accompanied by dimensional aluminum letters.
Shortly after the lab was launched, it quickly caught the attention of local media outlets and received recognition on an international scale. Emails began coming in from across the United States, and even reaching as far as Malaysia, filled with questions about heat pump technology and ECA as a company.
The full WHYY article pictured can be viewed here.