Harvest and WattCarbon Announce First Round of EAC-Funded Decarbonization Projects Completed

Getting rid of gas and fixing the grid

We're proud to announce that the groundbreaking partnership between Harvest and WattCarbon has yielded the deployment of the first of a series of high-impact, grid-resilient heating systems in California.

Made possible by an advanced purchase of Energy Attribute Certificates (EACs), representing certified third-party emissions reductions, this partnership is enabling Harvest to bring advanced heat pump technology to underserved communities and shows how smart, strategic funding can accelerate decarbonization efforts, creating tangible benefits for communities and the climate.

Why Heat Pumps Need an Upgrade

Heat pumps have rightfully been celebrated as heroes in building decarbonization. But there's been a challenge: peak heating times—typically morning and evening—coincide with the periods when electricity is most expensive and carbon-intensive.

Harvest’s approach tackles this head-on by pairing hyper-efficient heat pumps with advanced thermal storage. Imagine capturing clean, affordable solar energy midday, storing that energy effectively in a thermal battery, and then releasing it precisely when it’s needed most. That’s what Harvest’s innovative Smart Thermal Battery™ achieves, combining intelligent software, thermal storage, and efficient heat pump technology.

Smarter Storage, Bigger Impact

Harvest doesn't just store energy—it selects the cleanest and cheapest energy available, ensuring maximum carbon reduction. The results speak for themselves: up to 30% energy bill reductions, 90% emissions reductions compared to traditional gas furnaces and an impressive 40% reduction compared to conventional heat pumps.

Harvest’s first collaboration with WattCarbon is centered in a multifamily affordable housing complex in Truckee, California. The Tahoe-adjacent town regularly experiences subzero temperatures. Harvest’s implementation in this geography is a testament to the system’s ability to perform even in cold climates.

But it's not just about cleaner fuel; it's about supporting a flexible, resilient grid. As California’s grid reaches over 54% renewable generation, Harvest’s technology ensures homes tap into abundant solar power, enhancing grid stability and paving the way for broader electrification without additional strain.

Investing Ahead for Maximum Impact

What truly sets this collaboration apart is how companies have stepped up to purchase the Energy Attribute Certificates (EACs) from Harvest ahead of time, ensuring their investment makes a real and tangible difference. By providing critical upfront funding, these forward-thinking companies are closing essential financing gaps, enabling the installation of Harvest’s decarbonization projects in buildings where gas would otherwise be the default choice, and directly driving measurable, verified carbon reductions.

For the initial set of projects, True Ventures, an investor in early stage startups, and the creative force behind the Climate Compass Report and the Climate Action Guide, purchased the EACs from Harvest’s projects in advance so that the money spent on EACs would unlock new projects within the Truckee complex that otherwise wouldn’t have had the funding necessary to get done.

Accurate, Transparent Carbon Tracking

WattCarbon is at the heart of verifying and tracking these reductions. Leveraging Aristotle AI, its robust automated Measurement and Verification (M&V) platform, WattCarbon meticulously tracks every gram of carbon saved through Harvest's installations. This precise accounting ensures that every carbon reduction claim is accurate, verifiable, and impactful.

"Electrification is crucial, but it must be smart electrification," says Jane Melia, co-founder of Harvest. "Our collaboration with WattCarbon allows organizations to directly support high-impact decarbonization projects, ensuring their investments yield real, measurable emissions reductions."

WattCarbon CEO McGee Young emphasizes the value of this innovative model: “Traditional methods of purchasing clean energy credits often fail to achieve real-world impact. Harvest’s technology, paired with our transparent tracking and upfront investments from committed companies, provides a new, effective way to invest in genuine decarbonization.”

A New Era of Climate Action

Harvest and WattCarbon’s partnership illustrates a powerful shift toward smarter, more accountable decarbonization strategies. By aligning cutting-edge thermal storage technology with precise carbon accounting and forward-looking investment models, we’re unlocking a scalable solution that makes buildings cleaner, electricity smarter, and our climate future brighter.