Efficient and Flexible Natural Refrigerant based 120v HPWH with Immersed Condenser
Summary
SCH Number
2026040219
Public Agency
California Energy Commission
Document Title
Efficient and Flexible Natural Refrigerant based 120v HPWH with Immersed Condenser
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
4/6/2026
Document Description
Under grant agreement, EPC-25-050, the California Energy Commission will provide funding for the project. This project will develop, test and demonstrate an ultra-low GWP R-290 refrigerant-based heat pump water heater system with an immersed condenser operating on a 120V circuit that incorporates demand flexibility capabilities via communication standard such as CTA-2045 B. The innovation in heat exchanger design should provide a technological solution for maximizing capacity for the limited 120V electrical input.
Contact Information
Name
Amir Ehyai
Agency Name
California Energy Commission
Job Title
Commission Agreement Manager:
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Email
Name
Edwin Hornquist
Agency Name
Electric Power Research Institute, Inc.
Job Title
Project Manager
Contact Types
Project Applicant / Parties Undertaking Project
Phone
Email
Location
Coordinates
Cities
Irwindale
Counties
Los Angeles
Regions
Citywide
Cross Streets
Irwindale Ave Between W 1st St and Irwindale Rd
Zip
91702
Other Location Info
6060 N Irwindale Ave. TTC Bldg. 6060 Suite O
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Cal. Code Regs., tit. 14, § 15301, § 15306
Reasons for Exemption
This project involves development of a prototype 120V heat pump water heater system using R-290 propane as its primary refrigerant with immersed condenser in a laboratory setting. The prototype water heater will then be installed in a residential demonstration site for field testing. The prototype water heater will be decommissioned and a conventional water heater reinstalled after research testing and data collection is completed.
For the residential demonstration, the local government Agency Having Jurisdiction, may apply requirements (e.g., Building Code, Fire Code) to the demonstration heat pump water heater equipment. Although propane refrigerant is hazardous, current restrictions for its use in heat pumps mean that the grant pilot heat pump can only have 114 grams of propane refrigerant charge per device. To explain further UL Solutions (Underwriters Laboratories) standard 60335-2-40 lists several safety requirements applicable to various electrical appliances, including air conditioners and heat pumps. In particular, the standard outlines requirements for protection against hazards of various types (fire, electrical, mechanical), refrigerant leak detection, ignition source mitigation, and charge limits. All heat pumps installed in the U.S. must comply with this standard per mechanical codes, making it a de facto federal standard. For propane (R-290), UL 60335-2-40 sets a charge limit of 114 grams. This limit is based on propane’s lower flammability limit and its classification. Based on this small amount, the demonstrations in residential buildings will be a less-than-significant health, safety, and environmental hazard under CEQA.
Cal. Code Regs., tit. 14, 15301, Existing Facilities, provides an exemption from CEQA for the operation, repair, maintenance, permitting, leasing, licensing, or minor alteration of existing structures, facilities, mechanical equipment or topographical features involving negligible or no expansion of use beyond that existing. This project will conduct research, development, and manufacturing within already existing facilities with only minor interior alterations through the addition of small-scale fabrication equipment. There will be negligible or no expansion of existing use. Therefore, the project falls within section 15301 and will not have a significant effect on the environment.
Cal. Code Regs., tit. 14, Section 15306, Information Collection, exempts from CEQA projects that consist of basic data collection, research, experimental management, and resource evaluation activities which do not result in a serious or major disturbance to an environmental resource. The proposed project activities fall within these categories. For these reasons, the proposed project will have no significant effect on the environment and is categorically exempt under section 15306.
This project does not involve impacts on any particularly sensitive environment; any cumulative impacts of successive projects of the same type in the same place that might be considered significant; does not involve unusual circumstances that might have a significant effect on the environment; will not result in damage to scenic resources within a highway officially designated as a state scenic highway; the project sites are not included on any list compiled pursuant to Government Code section 65962.5, and the project will not cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of a historical resource. Therefore, none of the exceptions to categorical exemptions listed in CEQA Guidelines section 15300.2 apply to this project, and this project will not have a significant effect on the environment.
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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