TechCrunch Startup News Gradient’s heat pumps get new smarts to enable old-building retrofits
Feb 4, 2026
A look at compact window heat pumps designed for quick, noninvasive retrofits in older multifamily buildings. The conversation covers software that links units to manage shared energy use and reduce per-outlet draw. Topics include guardrails that cut consumption, demand-response strategies for grid relief, and how smart electrification can scale heat-pump adoption.
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Window Heat Pumps Fit Old Buildings
- Gradient builds horseshoe-shaped window heat pumps that both heat and cool old buildings efficiently.
- The design fits in windows to minimize installation time and avoid major retrofits.
Real-World Pilots In Public And Affordable Housing
- Gradient has installed units with the New York City Housing Authority and piloted in Tracy, California.
- The company is also engaging colleges and universities with dorms that lack cooling.
Give Managers Guardrails To Cut Overuse
- Give building managers control to set usage guardrails to curb overconsumption.
- Use limits like a 78°F heating cap to quickly reduce energy use by large margins.