AIAOC Lunch Hour Webinar – Heat Pumps 101: How They Work and Why They’re Critical for Decarbonization

Join CEDA as we partner with AIA Orange County to present Heat Pumps 101: How They Work and Why They’re Critical for Decarbonization!

Course Description
As California advances toward its goal of six million installed heat pumps by 2030, the building industry is redefining how design decisions drive decarbonization and high-performance outcomes. This course explores how heat pumps serve as a cornerstone technology in reducing carbon emissions, improving occupant safety, and enhancing resilience across a range of building types. Participants will gain a clear understanding of how heat pumps work, why their design and selection matter, and how various system types—such as air-source, water-source, and heat pump water heaters—support energy-efficient, low-carbon buildings. The session will also address common misconceptions about performance and reliability, highlight non-energy benefits, and outline how design teams can support heat pump adoption in collaboration with clients and contractors. By connecting technology, design, and real-world application, this course equips participants to confidently advocate for heat pump technology, question misinformation, and contribute to a more sustainable, low-carbon built environment.

Learning Objectives:
1. Understand the operating principles of heat pumps and their importance in advancing decarbonization and occupant health, safety, and welfare.
2.Analyze the range of heat pump technologies and determine how to apply them effectively in various building types and climates.
3. Evaluate common misconceptions and design challenges related to heat pump performance, efficiency, and climate suitability.
4. Develop strategies for design teams to integrate heat pump technologies into zero-carbon design approaches that enhance building performance and resilience.

Presenter
Rich Peske is a Senior Consultant Manager at Willdan with over 25 years of experience in architecture and sustainability, working on projects across the U.S. and Canada. He is passionate about high performance, cost-effective design and collaborates with project teams to improve building performance and reduce carbon emissions through careful energy analysis. Rich regularly shares his knowledge on energy efficiency and decarbonization at AIA events and directly with architecture firms.