In this episode of Less Talk, More Action, Joel and Owen sit down with Luke Winston-Almanzar, Co-Founder and CEO of Reservoir, to explore why hot water is one of the biggest, most overlooked energy hogs in the home and how next-generation heat pump water heaters can dramatically cut energy use while improving comfort. They discuss Google's new Michigan data center and its focus on energy affordability, the massive opportunity in modernizing water heating, how intelligence and recirculation can deliver "no wait" showers while saving thousands of gallons of water, and how smarter hot water systems can act as thermal batteries to support the grid and time-of-use rates. Key takeaways include the scale of hot water's energy impact, the importance of making sustainable products genuinely better (not just greener), and why integrating smart hardware, software, and home services is crucial to accelerating home electrification.
Highlights from this week’s conversation include:
- Welcome to Today’s Episode (0:59)
- Google Data Center and Energy Impact Fund (1:40)
- AI Emissions and Shift From Net Zero Talk (3:42)
- Luke’s Background and Reservoir Overview (5:56)
- Problem With Traditional Hot Water Systems (8:25)
- No-Wait Showers and Water Recirculation (10:42)
- Gas vs. Electric and the Spark Gap Question (12:49)
- Luke’s Journey to Founding Reservoir (15:31)
- Hot Water as 20% of Home Energy Use (18:52)
- Boston Launch and Tesla-Like Install Experience (21:57)
- Competing With Legacy Water Heater Brands (23:51)
- Hot Water Tanks as Thermal Batteries (28:06)
- Multi-Family Projects and Missing Home “Brain” (30:56)
- Why Heat Pump Water Heaters Took So Long (34:03)
- Too Many Apps and Need for System Integration (37:01)
- Funding, Traction, and Climate Optimism (40:16)
The nexus of business, policy, and sustainability is more divided than ever, but Less Talk, More Action is here to cut through the noise. Hosted by clean energy experts Joel Cesare and Owen Barrett, this podcast dives into the front lines of decarbonization, net-zero real estate, and entrepreneurship. Each episode features bold questions, real solutions, and stories from leaders in science, tech, and business who are taking action to make the world a better place. Join us as we move beyond talk and work toward a cleaner, net-zero future. Learn more and subscribe at lesstalkmoreaction.com.
