Startup Cala Systems, which makes seriously smart heat pump water heaters, has secured $5.6 million in seed funding and commercially launched its product.
The round was led by the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center and Clean Energy Venture Group, and included Burnt Island Ventures, Leap Forward Ventures, CapeVista Capital, Collaborative Fund, and Climate Capital.
Cala’s efficient and intelligent heat pump system heats water based on the patterns of hot water use in the home, as well as homeowner preferences.
By understanding a home’s hot water patterns, Cala improves hot water availability during times of high demand and minimizes costs. Homeowners can also tailor water heating to their home and priorities, including synchronizing water heating with their rooftop solar system’s power output.
That gives the homeowner the ability to coordinate water heating with clean electricity production, decrease costs for homes with variable electric rates, and preheat water before potential power disruptions.
“Other heat pump …