Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources Completes Window Heat Pump Project for 194 Apartments at Carroll Tower Affordable Housing Property
Published on Monday, April 20, 2026
Rhode Island’s 1st affordable housing window heat pump project installation. A first-of-its-kind project in Rhode Island and among the largest window heat pump installations in the U.S.
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Governor Dan McKee and the Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources (OER) today announced the completion of a Clean Heat Rhode Island project that has brought modern, energy-efficient heating and cooling technology to 194 apartments at Carroll Tower, an affordable housing building operated by the Providence Housing Authority (PHA).
Through Clean Heat Rhode Island, administered by OER and implemented in partnership with Abode Energy Management, the project replaced decades-old electric baseboard heating with high-efficiency window heat pumps across the 15-story building. The installation provides residents with integrated cooling for the first time in the building’s more than 50-year history.
“This upgrade will enhance the quality of life for residents at Carroll Tower for years to come,” said Governor Dan McKee. “This project shows how partnerships between state agencies, local housing authorities, and clean energy innovators can improve comfort for residents.”
This $1.25 million project installed 277 Gradient All-Weather 120V window heat pump units across the entire building, resulting in the largest installation of this technology in the U.S. to date. This project provides an early example of how similar multifamily buildings can be upgraded. Preliminary estimates indicate the upgrades could deliver approximately 450,000 kilowatt-hours in annual energy savings, equal to about $94,500 annually for Carroll Tower, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions by an estimated 219 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent each year.
“This great heat pump project shows how Clean Heat Rhode Island can help modernize buildings that have historically been difficult to retrofit,” said Acting OER Commissioner Chris Kearns. “By partnering with the Providence Housing Authority and industry partners, we were able to deliver efficient heating and cooling technology that improves resident comfort while lowering long-term energy use and emissions.”
“This project represents an important investment in the comfort and wellbeing of our residents,” said Melissa Sanzaro, Executive Director of Providence Housing Authority. “Carroll Tower is one of two public housing buildings designated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development exclusively for the elderly, with an average resident age of 72. The PHA is honored to be a part of this pioneering project that exemplifies how industry collaborators can align their goals and create opportunities to advance initiatives and technologies that enhance the quality of life for vulnerable communities while positively impacting the environment.”
The project was made possible through collaboration among several partners. The Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources provided program oversight and funding through Clean Heat Rhode Island. Abode Energy Management served as program administrator and coordinated project implementation. Envr Air led installation of the window heat pumps, while Gradient supplied the All-Weather 120V window heat pumps, purpose-built for multifamily retrofits without building modifications.
"Providence Housing Authority and the Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources have built a model that other housing authorities can follow. By bringing together the right partners and Gradient's plug-and-play technology, they've shown that upgrading a 194-unit building with efficient heating and cooling doesn't have to be slow, disruptive, or expensive," said Dr. Vince Romanin, Gradient Founder and CTO.
A video of the project may be viewed at: https://youtube.com/shorts/tNTl64q6GhM