A cutting-edge heat pump water heater matches sustainability and wellness goals at VISION House Shawood.
While building homes to be more sustainable and resilient to climate impacts, earthquakes and wildfires are worthy goals for any builder, Shawood, a division of the Japan-based Sekisui House, takes those goals and expands them to envision homes that are also healthy, soothing, comforting and serve as an oasis from a sometimes-turbulent world.
To achieve that ideal requires an array of committed partners who can provide the materials and systems that work together seamlessly to develop homes that nurture healthy and happy residents.
At VISION House Shawood in Deerlake Ranch in Chatsworth, Calif., a partnership between Green Builder Media and Shawood, 72 homes will be built to the highest sustainability standards. A key component of this project is to design homes that meet a “Living Well Directive” with design elements, products and systems that meet specific objectives in categories such as healthy homes, conscious comfort and more.
This plan for building matches the new shift in consumer thinking that Green Builder Media’s COGNITION Smart Data has been tracking. Homebuyers today are focused on quality and longevity. They measure value in homes based on their performance, operating costs and how they contribute to their physical and mental health – not on a price per square foot basis.
Smart Sustainable Solutions to Essential Needs
The twin goals of energy efficiency and longevity, which are part of the plan for the products and systems at VISION House Shawood, are shared by Rheem, a 100-year-old global manufacturer of residential heating, cooling and water heating systems as well as commercial refrigeration solutions. The company’s sustainability commitment starts with their products, which are all engineered for longevity.
“We’re reducing our environmental impact through a multi-pronged strategy building off of the success of achieving all of our 2025 goals,” says Scott Cohen, Director of Marketing at Rheem. “Our proven framework focuses on our products, process and people. Our increased focus on lifecycle impact more closely promotes innovating our products and our largest area of impact -- one that can also be key to helping home and business owners achieve their own greenhouse gas reduction goals and save on utility costs.”
In addition, Cohen says, “We’re also expanding our Zero Waste to Landfill initiative to further divert our waste from our facilities and continue to train the trade to not only understand how to install our latest products, but how to confidently promote them when they are the best application for a customer.”
Rheem has trained over 600,000 plumbers and contractors on sustainable practices and avoided 47.29 million metric tons of CO₂ emissions since 2019 through its high-efficiency products.
“We’re focusing on next-generation sustainability goals, including expanding lifecycle assessments, improving packaging for circularity, and preparing for Extended Producer Responsibility regulations,” Cohen says.
Innovations in Water Heating
At VISION House Shawood, the homes will have a Rheem ProTerra water heater.
“The Rheem ProTerra is ideal for the VISION House SHAWOOD because it aligns perfectly with the project’s sustainability and wellness goals,” Cohen says. “Its heat pump technology dramatically reduces energy use and carbon emissions, supporting decarbonization and integration with nature. Additionally, smart demand-response capability, leak protection and adaptable installation make it resilient and future-ready for an advanced, eco-conscious community.”
The Rheem ProTerra reduces energy usage by approximately 75% compared to standard electric models and is up to four times more efficient compared to a typical tank water heater. The heat pump and electric element combine to create one of the most efficient water heaters on the market, according to Rheem.
ProTerra is also equipped with EcoNet, an all-encompassing solution to keep customers connected to their water heater’s health.
“Homeowners can change modes and see real time updates from anywhere on their phone,” Cohen says. “The water heater also has LeakSense, which protects the home by automatically shutting off the tank when a leak does occur as well as sends an alert to the homeowner.”
The all-electric, energy-efficient water heater is the “poster child of decarbonization,” Cohen says.
In addition, the low operating decibel keeps the home quietly integrated with nature.
“The ProTerra also supports resiliency through smart demand-response integration, allowing utilities to manage peak loads and maintain grid stability,” Cohen says. “Additionally, features like leak detection, auto shut off and wide temperature tolerance ensure reliable performance during extreme conditions.”
The ProTerra is designed with flexibility for easy installation in new construction or as a retrofit. It features universal side and top water connections, a ductready design and the same footprint as standard tank. With a 10year limited tank and parts warranty, ProTerra delivers quiet, reliable performance and sustainable hot water solutions.
Living Well and Comfortably with New Technology
A cutting-edge heat pump water heater matches sustainability and wellness goals at VISION House Shawood.
While building homes to be more sustainable and resilient to climate impacts, earthquakes and wildfires are worthy goals for any builder, Shawood, a division of the Japan-based Sekisui House, takes those goals and expands them to envision homes that are also healthy, soothing, comforting and serve as an oasis from a sometimes-turbulent world.
To achieve that ideal requires an array of committed partners who can provide the materials and systems that work together seamlessly to develop homes that nurture healthy and happy residents.
At VISION House Shawood in Deerlake Ranch in Chatsworth, Calif., a partnership between Green Builder Media and Shawood, 72 homes will be built to the highest sustainability standards. A key component of this project is to design homes that meet a “Living Well Directive” with design elements, products and systems that meet specific objectives in categories such as healthy homes, conscious comfort and more.
This plan for building matches the new shift in consumer thinking that Green Builder Media’s COGNITION Smart Data has been tracking. Homebuyers today are focused on quality and longevity. They measure value in homes based on their performance, operating costs and how they contribute to their physical and mental health – not on a price per square foot basis.
Smart Sustainable Solutions to Essential Needs
The twin goals of energy efficiency and longevity, which are part of the plan for the products and systems at VISION House Shawood, are shared by Rheem, a 100-year-old global manufacturer of residential heating, cooling and water heating systems as well as commercial refrigeration solutions. The company’s sustainability commitment starts with their products, which are all engineered for longevity.
“We’re reducing our environmental impact through a multi-pronged strategy building off of the success of achieving all of our 2025 goals,” says Scott Cohen, Director of Marketing at Rheem. “Our proven framework focuses on our products, process and people. Our increased focus on lifecycle impact more closely promotes innovating our products and our largest area of impact -- one that can also be key to helping home and business owners achieve their own greenhouse gas reduction goals and save on utility costs.”
In addition, Cohen says, “We’re also expanding our Zero Waste to Landfill initiative to further divert our waste from our facilities and continue to train the trade to not only understand how to install our latest products, but how to confidently promote them when they are the best application for a customer.”
Rheem has trained over 600,000 plumbers and contractors on sustainable practices and avoided 47.29 million metric tons of CO₂ emissions since 2019 through its high-efficiency products.
“We’re focusing on next-generation sustainability goals, including expanding lifecycle assessments, improving packaging for circularity, and preparing for Extended Producer Responsibility regulations,” Cohen says.
Innovations in Water Heating
At VISION House Shawood, the homes will have a Rheem ProTerra water heater.
“The Rheem ProTerra is ideal for the VISION House SHAWOOD because it aligns perfectly with the project’s sustainability and wellness goals,” Cohen says. “Its heat pump technology dramatically reduces energy use and carbon emissions, supporting decarbonization and integration with nature. Additionally, smart demand-response capability, leak protection and adaptable installation make it resilient and future-ready for an advanced, eco-conscious community.”
The Rheem ProTerra reduces energy usage by approximately 75% compared to standard electric models and is up to four times more efficient compared to a typical tank water heater. The heat pump and electric element combine to create one of the most efficient water heaters on the market, according to Rheem.
ProTerra is also equipped with EcoNet, an all-encompassing solution to keep customers connected to their water heater’s health.
“Homeowners can change modes and see real time updates from anywhere on their phone,” Cohen says. “The water heater also has LeakSense, which protects the home by automatically shutting off the tank when a leak does occur as well as sends an alert to the homeowner.”
The all-electric, energy-efficient water heater is the “poster child of decarbonization,” Cohen says.
In addition, the low operating decibel keeps the home quietly integrated with nature.
“The ProTerra also supports resiliency through smart demand-response integration, allowing utilities to manage peak loads and maintain grid stability,” Cohen says. “Additionally, features like leak detection, auto shut off and wide temperature tolerance ensure reliable performance during extreme conditions.”
The ProTerra is designed with flexibility for easy installation in new construction or as a retrofit. It features universal side and top water connections, a ductready design and the same footprint as standard tank. With a 10year limited tank and parts warranty, ProTerra delivers quiet, reliable performance and sustainable hot water solutions.
Click to learn more about Rheem’s next-generation sustainability goals.
By Michele Lerner, Associate Editor
Michele Lerner is an award-winning freelance writer, editor, and author who writes about real estate, personal finance, and business.Also Read