#35 The Heat Pump Concierge Model: Turning Utility Programs into Install-Ready Jobs

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In this episode of The Heat Pump Podcast, Ed Smith and Eric Fitz sit down with Jake Yurek and Evan Anderson, Co-Founders of Pearl Edison — a startup rethinking how heat pumps and residential electrification projects get done. Pearl Edison doesn’t sell hardware or traditional SaaS; instead, they act as a concierge service, bridging the gap between utilities, homeowners, and contractors. Their white-labeled platform (like DTE’s Heat Pump Concierge) simplifies the process for homeowners while handing contractors fully designed, install-ready jobs — cutting acquisition costs and boosting quality outcomes.

Jake and Evan discuss the origins of their mission, their unusual business model, and how they’re applying software-driven workflows and diagnostics to deliver better, faster installs at scale. From reducing the burden on expert designers to learning from the failures of Heat Pump 1.0, they explain how Pearl Edison is helping avoid the coming "heat pump revolt" and building trust between all parties involved. This episode is packed with lessons for anyone building in energy efficiency, HVAC, or climate tech.

Key Learnings:

• Pearl Edison provides fully scoped, install-ready jobs to contractors.
• Homeowners receive upfront estimates, design options, and rebate info.
• The model removes guesswork from sizing and scoping heat pump systems.
• Contractors retain pricing flexibility and avoid low-quality rate card models.
• Guided in-home assessments enable better central system design.
• Utility partnerships support growth while safeguarding customer experience.

Timestamps:

[00:00] - Introduction

[02:30] - Meet Jake & Evan and how Pearl Edison started

[04:07] - Jake & Evan’s career journeys and how they reconnected

[08:35] - Pearl Edison’s white-labeled B2B model explained

[15:52] - On pricing, bidding, and contractor flexibility

[18:22] - Traction: Where Pearl Edison is operating now

[27:25] - How smarter diagnostics empower homeowner decision-making

[37:34] - What’s keeping them up at night — and what excites them

[40:01] - Advice for startups and contractors in the space

Follow Jake Yurek:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jakeyurek/ 

Follow Evan Anderson:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/evananderson313/ 

Follow Pearl Edison:  

• Website: https://www.pearledison.com/ 
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pearledison/ 

Follow the Hosts:

• Ed Smith: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ed-smith-5aa8716
• Eric Fitz: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ehfitz/
• Amply Energy Website: https://www.amply.energy/
• Amply Energy YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@amplyenergy
• Amply Energy Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amplyenergy
• Amply Energy Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amply_energy/