HEW2025
States in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic have committed to widespread adoption of highly efficient heat pumps by 2030. These aggressive goals aim to stabilize energy costs, improve health, and cut climate pollution amid extreme weather challenges by adopting heat pumps for most heating, cooling, and water heating needs.
Join us at HEW2025 to explore emerging strategies to scale the adoption of highly-efficient heat pumps, creating regional opportunities for market transformation. Our workshop sessions will explore topics important to growing the residential and commercial heat pump markets, including technology advancements, leading-edge equitable program and policy design, key insights “from the field”, marketing strategies, and workforce development.
We are kicking off HEW2025 with a Day Zero welcome reception, followed by small group dinners at Princeton restaurants – an opportunity to connect with fellow attendees and NEEP staff. From there the program moves into one and a half days of interactive sessions, wellness opportunities, plenaries, and time with our regional colleagues.
Whether you're shaping policy, designing programs, building products, or working in the field, HEW2025 will equip you with the tools, insights, and relationships to collaborate to scale.
Agenda
Day Zero: Monday, October 20
Time | Session |
1:00 pm | Pre-Workshop Heating Electrification Working Group Meeting |
1:00 pm | Pre-Workshop Meeting |
4:00 pm | Welcome Reception Join fellow HEW2025 attendees for a Welcome Reception. |
Day One: Tuesday, October 21
Time | Session |
7:00 am | Networking & Wellness Walk or jog through historic Princeton with NEEPers. |
7:30 am | Networking & Wellness Let's get ready for the day by clearing our minds with a morning meditation. |
7:00 am | Breakfast |
8:30 am | Welcome to New Jersey: HEW2025 Kick-off! Join our Executive Director Maggie Molina as she kicks off HEW2025 with help from some New Jersey leaders. This fast paced session will set the tone for the day and our entire program. Speakers Henry Gajda, Chief of External Affairs, New Jersey Board of Public Utilities Dave Lis, Director of Technology Market Transformation, NEEP Maggie Molina, Executive Director, NEEP |
9:00 am | Taking Aim at 2030: Scaling Heat Pump Adoption - Plenary Panel Most states in the region are committed to highly efficient heat pumps making up 65 percent of total residential heating, cooling, and water heating equipment sales by 2030. Expanding heat pump sales in the coming years will accelerate this energy-efficient technology, helping to lower energy bills, produce pollution-free buildings, and create opportunities for a more flexible grid. State policymakers play a key role in this market transformation. In this session, state energy officials and utility regulators will discuss progress, challenges, regional collaboration, and other policy and regulatory drivers to reach the 2030 goal.
Facilitator Maggie Molina, Executive Director, NEEP Speakers Rory Christian, Chair & Chief Executive Officer of the New York Public Service Commission Stacy Ho Richardson, Deputy Director, New Jersey Board of Public Utilities |
10:15 am | Networking Break |
10:45 am | Seasonal Rates, Year-Round Comfort - Q&A Panel States and utilities in the region are implementing or exploring new seasonal electric rates for heat pump users to improve the affordability of operating these technologies. This curated panel will be ready to field your questions and share the policy rationale behind these rates, present options for rate design, examine early results, and highlight lessons learned. Facilitator Erin Cosgrove - Director of Policy & Programs, NEEP Speaker Dan Boff - Economist, Pacific Northwest National Library (PNNL) Meera Reynolds - Economist, MA Department of Public Utilities Juan-Pablo Velez - Founder & Executive Director, Switchbox |
10:45 am | What Works: Heat Pump Programs That Deliver - Q&A Panel Effective programs across the region have contributed to installing tens of thousands of heat pumps. At the same time, the benefits and impacts of these installations can vary. This session will explore specific heat pump programs and how they’re optimizing participation, impact, and customer satisfaction. Panelists will be ready to answer your questions and share best practices and lessons learned from successful efforts, including how leading programs are addressing a range of influencing factors. Facilitator Jessica Hood - Program Support Manager of Energy Efficiency Growth & Strategy, PSE&G Speakers Albert Gorman - C&I Senior Program Manager, Baltimore Gas & Electric Toby Hyde - Section Manager, Con Edison Michael Stoddard - Executive Director, Efficiency Maine |
11:45 am | Lunch |
1:15 pm | Split Decisions: The Role of Hybrid Heat Pumps - Deep Dive As heat pump adoption accelerates across the region, questions remain about the appropriate role of hybrid heat pump solutions. What are the trade-offs between hybrid and heat pump-only solutions? This Deep Dive session will provide insight into the evolving role and applications of hybrid systems. Facilitators and attendees will collaboratively explore the impacts from the perspectives of consumers, contractors, program administrators, grid planners, and those working to effect long-term market transformation. Facilitators Matt Christie - Director, TRC Companies Todd Van Aken - Director of SAVEGREEN, New Jersey Natural Gas |
1:15 pm | Big Buildings, Bigger Potential: Multifamily Buildings Fully Charged - Deep Dive Electrification of space and water heating in large multifamily buildings requires navigating a range of challenges—including technology selection, financing and incentives, and minimizing tenant disruption. This Deep Dive session will examine several emerging and innovative installation solutions, with examples from the field. Facilitators and attendees will collaboratively explore how these approaches can be deployed at scale, considering the perspectives of building owners, tenants, contractors, program administrators, and policymakers working to advance equitable building decarbonization. Facilitators Nicole Ceci - Principal Mechanical Engineer, Steven Winter Associates Lauren Ross - Director of Energy Policy, Enterprise Community Partners |
2:30 pm | Networking Break |
3:00 pm | Industrial Heat Pumps: High Effort, High Yield - Breakout Panel Electrifying industrial processes and facilities is an important yet complex step towards achieving our regional goals to improve energy efficiency, achieve long-term cost savings, and lower emissions. It requires significant effort but comes with significant rewards. This session will explore the technology and process levers to accelerate progress. We’ll learn from those who are paving the way. Facilitator Neal Elliott - Director Emeritus, The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) Speaker Thomas Bougeois - Director of Policy Research at Center for Sustainability, Pace University Patricia Provot - President, Armstrong International |
3:00 pm | Technologies to Watch: Manufacturers Weigh In - Breakout Panel This session will feature a roundtable discussion of diverse equipment manufacturers on growing the market for high-performing water and space heating equipment. Manufacturers will touch on the future phase down of heat pump refrigerants, opportunities to replace one-way central air conditioners with two-way heat pumps, and the most promising opportunities to electrify the commercial and multifamily markets. Facilitator Jonathan Moscatello - Utility Relations Manager, Daikin Speaker Roch Naleway - Market Development Manager, A.O. Smith Corporation Greg Thomas - Senior Regulatory & Agency Engineer, Midea |
4:00 pm | Midpoint Mixer Join fellow HEW2025 attendees for the workshop midpoint mixer. (Re)connect with heat pump people from all over our region. |
6:00 pm | Dinner Clubs (optional) Many a partnership has begun with a NEEP Dinner Club dinner. We hope you will take advantage of this optional opportunity to dine at local restaurants with small groups of conference attendees and NEEP staff. Let us handle reservations; we will have a meal together and split the check. Sign-up at the Midpoint Mixer. |
Day Two: Wednesday, October 22
Time | Session |
7:00 am | Networking & Wellness Walk or jog through historic Princeton with NEEPers. |
7:30 am | Networking & Wellness Let's create space for increased productivity with a morning meditation. |
7:00 am | Breakfast |
9:00 am | From the Trenches: Contractor Insights - Plenary Panel HVAC contractors play a key role in the region’s work to advance high-efficiency heat pumps. This plenary session will go into the trenches (i.e. basements and attics) of the space and water heating market. Contractors will share insights on barriers to consumer adoption, program designs that work for contractors, installer networks, and other best practices. They will share insights on how programs can best communicate with and meet the needs of customers and contractors with tailored solutions. Facilitator Dave Boettcher - Founder & CEO, Abode Energy |
10:00 am | Networking Break |
10:30 am | Hot Market, Cool Jobs: Building the Workforce - Case Study HVAC installers play a critical role in helping customers compare options and select heat pump systems. To scale heat pump installations, programs and industry must develop a strong pipeline of new installation professionals. This Case Study session will highlight workforce development programs and strategies from across the region that are specifically designed for HVAC installers of heat pumps. Presenters will share real-world success stories in attracting, recruiting, and developing new workers into the heat pump workforce, showcasing the approaches that have proven effective in building capacity for market transformation. Facilitator Barry Reaves - VP of DEI/J & Workforce Development, Alliance for Climate Transition (ACT) Speaker Ben Christensen - Program Manager, Massachusetts Clean Energy Center Laura Giannini - Associate Director Workforce Development and Training, NYSERDA |
10:30 am | Looped In: Neighborhood-Scale Electrification - Case Study Ground source heat pumps and Thermal Energy Networks hold great potential for electrifying large groups of buildings at the neighborhood and campus scale. They offer a compelling pathway for enhanced efficiency, reduced operating costs, improved air quality, and scalability. This Case Study session will showcase specific real-world projects, talk about some early results, and highlight the factors that have made them successful. Facilitator Ke Wei - Director of Planning and Strategy, New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) Speaker David Weis - Director of Campus Plant, Princeton University |
11:30 am | Networking Break |
11:45 am | Closing Conversation It's time to turn knowledge into action. Let's ensure that the momentum gained during the workshop translates into enduring market collaboration. |
12:15 pm | Lunch |
2:00 pm | Post-Workshop Tour Small group tours of Princeton University's TIGER Plant featuring heat pumps and geo-exchange heating and cooling systems. Limited space. |
Registration
Standard | Government/Non-profit |
$499 | $249 |
NEEP is committed to creating events and programming that are accessible to all. To uphold our intention to promote diversity, inclusion, and equity in all we do, we’ve set up a pay what you can (PWYC) option. For more information, please contact Jessica Augat. NEEP Allies benefits provide one complimentary registration. HEW2025 tickets are non-refundable. However, tickets are transferable at no additional fee. |
Hotel
NEEP is thrilled to partner with the Hyatt Regency Princeton for HEW2025. Book your travel by September 25th to secure NEEP's discounted block rate.
Travel
The Hyatt Regency Princeton is conveniently located by several transit hubs. There are a number of travel options, so please consider traveling by public transportation. Learn more about travel options and directions.
Sponsorship Opportunities
Would you like to sponsor this in-person event? We have sponsorship packages available. For more details about partnering with NEEP on HEW2025, please download our sponsorship sheet. For additional information, please contact Jessica Augat, Senior Manager for Industry Relations & Events.
Advisory Committee
Phil Chao, Senior Program Manager, New Jersey BPU
Eric Dubin, Sr. Director Utilities and Performance Construction, Mitsubishi Electric Trane HVAC (METUS)
Tim Fagan, Manager Evaluation and Planning, PSE&G
Scott Hackel, Vice President of Research, Slipstream
Steve Jaslowich, Lead Program Manager, National Grid
Dave Korn, Vice President, Ridgeline Energy Analytics Inc.
Arah Schuur, Research Advisor, Rutgers University
Lauren Urbanek, Senior Manager, Decarbonization Strategy, Utility of the Future, Baltimore Gas & Electric
Alexis Washburn, Northeast Regional Director, Emerald Cities Collaborative