A Historic Investment in Public Housing
Gradient and Midea won the Clean Heat for All Challenge to produce 30,000 window heat pumps for NYCHA—one of the largest public housing electrification efforts in the nation.
30,000
Window heat pumps
for NYCHA apartments
150
Installed at Woodside Houses
pilot phase
5,000+
Additional units purchased
initial rollout
Pilot results showed:
- 86% decrease in energy required for space heating (average across manufacturers)
- 50% decrease in heating energy costs
- 89% resident satisfaction
"These cutting-edge heat pumps will not only provide clean, reliable heat during the winter, but cooling during the summer months as well."
The Long-Term Question
The 86% savings number assumes clean equipment throughout its lifespan. How do we ensure those savings last for decades?
Where Scale Affects Window Heat Pumps
Condensate Drains
Window heat pumps produce condensation. Scale particles + biological growth = clogged drains = water damage, unit shutdown.
Evaporator Coils
Scale on evaporator fins reduces airflow and heat transfer. Unit runs longer, uses more electricity, delivers less comfort.
Condenser Coils
Outdoor coils exposed to moisture and minerals. Scale buildup reduces heat rejection, lowering overall efficiency.
The result: A heat pump that delivered 86% savings in year one might deliver only 70% by year five—and residents pay the difference on their electric bills.
Why This Matters for Residents
In NYCHA buildings, residents often pay their own electric bills. A heat pump losing efficiency hits their household budget directly.
Higher Electric Bills
Scale = longer run times = more electricity = higher monthly costs for residents.
Reduced Comfort
Fouled coils can't deliver design heating or cooling capacity.
Maintenance Requests
Scale-related failures = service calls, tenant disruptions, and maintenance backlog.
Protecting the equipment protects residents.
Real Proof: King Salman Hospital Protects Critical Systems
Location: Saudi Arabia
Facility Type: Major hospital with 24/7 operations
The Challenge
Hospitals cannot tolerate equipment failure. Boilers, chillers, and pools must operate reliably 24/7/365. Mineral scale threatened efficiency and reliability across multiple systems.
The Solution
Several Vulcan mineral descalers were installed to treat the hospital water supply, protecting:
- Boilers (heating and sterilization)
- Chillers (cooling for operating rooms and patient areas)
- Pools (therapy and rehabilitation)
For healthcare facilities, the Vulcan S25, S50, or S100 provide the right capacity depending on system size.
The Results
- Boilers, chillers, and pools protected from scale
- Equipment operating at design efficiency
- Reduced maintenance across all systems
- No chemicals, no salt, no ongoing costs
Why This Matters for NYCHA: If a major hospital trusts Vulcan to protect boilers, chillers, and pools, the same technology can protect NYCHA's 30,000 heat pumps. Healthcare and public housing share the same need: reliable, efficient, maintenance-free operation.
King Salman Hospital — Boilers, chillers, and pools protected
The Opportunity for NYCHA
NYCHA is making a historic investment in heat pumps. Scale prevention can help ensure that investment delivers for decades.
Protect Energy Savings
Maintain the 86% savings NYCHA's heat pumps are designed to deliver—year after year.
Reduce Resident Electric Bills
Efficient heat pumps = lower operating costs for residents who pay their own utilities.
Minimize Maintenance
Scale-free systems require fewer service calls, reducing strain on NYCHA maintenance staff.
Extend Equipment Life
Protect the 30,000 heat pump investment for the long term.
Scale Prevention at the Building Level
While individual window heat pumps are small, they share common water sources. Treating the building's main water lines protects all units simultaneously—a cost-effective approach for NYCHA developments.
The ROI of Protection
| Heat pump investment (200 units) | $400,000 - $600,000 |
| Projected annual energy savings (86%) | $80,000 - $120,000 |
| 15% efficiency loss from scale (year 5) | $12,000 - $18,000 lost/year |
| Building-wide scale prevention (main line) | Login for pricing |
| Estimated payback period | 3-12 months* |
Get Exact Pricing for Your Building
For precise pricing tailored to your building's specifications and mechanical systems:
- Existing customers: Log in to your account to view model-specific pricing
- New users: Create a free account to access detailed pricing and configuration options
- Need assistance? Contact our team for a personalized assessment
Account registration takes less than 2 minutes.
* Savings and payback vary based on building size, water conditions, and existing scale buildup.
Selecting the Right Model for Multifamily Buildings
Different building sizes require different Vulcan models. Create an account to view detailed specifications and pricing.
| Building Size | Recommended Model | Pipe Diameter | Flow Rate | Typical Application |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small (5-20 units) | Vulcan V5000 | Up to 2" | 35 GPM | Domestic hot water, small boilers |
| Mid-size (20-50 units) | Vulcan S10 | Up to 3" | 65 GPM | Central hot water, heat exchangers |
| Large (50-150 units) | Vulcan S25 | Up to 4" | 130 GPM | Boilers, recirculation loops |
| Very large (150-400 units) | Vulcan S50 or S100 | 5-6" | 300-530 GPM | District heating, large central plants |
| NYCHA development (400+ units) | Vulcan S150 or multiple units | 8" or more | 790+ GPM | Entire development protection |
The LL97 Connection
NYCHA buildings are covered by Local Law 97. The 30,000 heat pumps are essential to meeting emissions targets—but only if they maintain their efficiency.
With Scale Prevention
- Maintain design efficiency
- Meet emissions projections
- Avoid $268/ton fines
- Document Good Faith efforts
Without Scale Prevention
- Gradual efficiency decline
- Higher-than-expected emissions
- Unexpected fines
- No maintenance documentation
Scale prevention helps NYCHA meet both its sustainability goals and its LL97 compliance obligations.
Protecting Your Heat Pump Investment
- Assess your water quality. Even "soft" water causes scale over time.
- Consider building-wide protection. Treating main water lines protects all units.
- Document baseline performance. Measure efficiency before scale builds.
- Include scale prevention in RFPs. Make it part of your heat pump procurement.
- Train maintenance staff. Vulcan requires no maintenance—just documentation.
- Need assistance? Contact our team for a public housing assessment.
Protecting Public Housing Investments
30,000 heat pumps are coming to NYCHA. Let's ensure they perform for decades.
About the Author
Waslix- Clearly Clean Water (Vulcan Mineral Descaler) provides non-chemical, maintenance-free scale prevention solutions that help public housing authorities protect heat pump investments, reduce resident utility costs, and meet LL97 compliance goals. Create an account for detailed model specifications and pricing.
