California startup rolls out bulk-discount heat-pump program as summer heat spikes

Facing soaring temperatures, Vayu founder and CEO Shreyas Sudhakar launched a heat-pump group-buy program covering Los Angeles and the Bay Area, leveraging bulk purchasing to cut equipment costs by 15-30%. After promoting the scheme online, dozens of households responded, including Bay Area resident Naoya Kanai, who paid about $14,500 for a system that replaces his old gas furnace and air conditioner. Vayu works with multiple distributors to negotiate the best price for the entire cohort, then tailors installation designs to each home’s existing ductwork.

The concept mirrors a long-running program on Gabriola Island, British Columbia, where volunteers have installed over 1,000 units. Sudhakar noted that an earlier 2026 launch flopped until the recent heat wave provided a natural catalyst, and he now expects another 10-15 homes to join in the coming months. Experts such as Andrew Sissons of Nesta warn that the model’s success depends on high-quality installs and after-care, while researchers like Roxana Shafiee caution that operating costs may still exceed those of gas heating in some regions.