After launching in 14 US states, Quilt systems are now available in five Canadian provinces.
California-based Quilt, co-founded by Canadian CEO Paul Lambert, is completing the cycle by launching its heat pumps in Canada.
The startup says there is “exciting demand” for heat pumps from Canadian homeowners and contractors.
Quilt pumps are now available in Ontario, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Manitoba and British Columbia, marking its first international expansion. While Quilt has already penetrated 14 U.S. states since its launch last year, the startup said there is “enthusiastic demand” for heat pumps from Canadian homeowners and contractors as the technology gains adoption in markets across the country.
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 in the desired direction while using less energy. 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.
Quilt says its heat pumps, designed by former Google, Apple and Nest engineers, are designed to operate in temperatures as low as -25°C. Quilt touts aesthetically customizable indoor heat pumps (“like built-in closets,” according to the fact sheet) that can control the temperature of each room via an app.
“Growing up in Alberta, conversations about energy and extreme weather were constant, and these formative experiences helped shape the creation of Quilt,” Lambert said in a statement. Quilt has “made sure it will perform in both extreme cold and extreme heat so it can withstand real Canadian conditions both today and in the years to come.”
To date, Quilt has raised more than $40 million with backing from Google Gradient Ventures, Kitchener-Waterloo's Garage Capital and TV real estate personality Drew Scott, better known as one of the “Real Estate Brothers.” Drew and his brother Jonathan have previously invested in Canadian technology. placing a bet in Toronto Right before it was acquired from Pina.
Quilt isn't the only startup seeing demand for heat pumps. Vancouver-based startup Jetson, founded by the team behind smart glasses startup North, also launched its own “smart” heat pump in September. The device with software also provides remote monitoring, real-time performance alerts, over-the-air updates, and indoor air quality measurements.
All images courtesy of Quilt.
