The Ex-Thalmic team is targeting home heating using a software-centric approach.
A Vancouver-based startup has taken the first step toward its goal of making electric home heating ubiquitous.
Jetson has released its smart heat pump. Jetson AirThis week. Jetson Air integrates with a home's existing duct system, and the company says it can operate quietly and reliably in temperatures as low as -30° C. The software-based device also provides remote monitoring, real-time performance alerts, over-the-air updates, and indoor air quality sensing.
Jetson was founded by Steven Lake, Matthew Bailey, Aaron Grant and other leaders of smart glasses startup North. North, which used to be called Thalmic Labs, was acquired Google in 2020. After the acquisition, its management worked for Kitchener, Ontario-based Google for several years before teaming up again and launching Jetson in 2024.
“Most heat pump systems today are still manufactured and installed by gas equipment companies; they know the hardware, not the software.”
Stephen Lake
Jetson
Jetson was introduced as World Savior in BetaKit The most ambitious challenge to make a “big contribution to climate change” by converting homes to electric heating. Energy used for heating accounts for 16 per cent of all energy used in Canada and 13 per cent of energy-related greenhouse gas emissions, according to the Department of Energy. Canadian Energy Regulator.
“Most heat pump systems today are still manufactured and installed by gas appliance companies; they know the hardware, not the software,” Lake said. “This is a problem because software is where the real gains in efficiency, comfort and control come.”
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Instead of generating heat with a gas furnace, electric heat pumps move existing heat from a warmer source to a cooler one. This cools or heats the home depending on the desired direction, while using less energy.
While upgrading from a furnace to a heat pump can be more expensive and complicated than purchasing a traditional furnace (prices vary north of $20,000), Jetson simplifies this process with its software platform that helps customers navigate financing, permitting and installation.
Jetson already has customers in Massachusetts, Colorado and British Columbia and is working to expand into new markets such as New York.
Image courtesy of Jetson.
