Sustainability
At Rheem®, we’re committed to doing good by our customers, our partners, our employees—and our planet.
See How
For nearly 100 years, Rheem has been a leader in heating, cooling and water heating innovation. And we continue to lead with our bold approach to improvements for our products and processes to dramatically cut our impact on the environment, while empowering both our customers and employees to work and live sustainably. It’s all a part of our bold vision for the future and equally bold commitment:
Designing for Zero Waste
We are focused on innovating with intent, engineering solutions with lifetime sustainability in mind—from material selection to smart features to responsible recycling.
Our 2025 goal: Launch a line of heating, cooling and water heating products that boast a 50% reduction in greenhouse gas footprint.1
We strive for operational excellence, working smarter and more sustainably to consume fewer resources, generate less waste and ensure simpler, safer processes.
Our 2025 goal: Reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50% and achieve zero waste to landfill in our global manufacturing operations.2
We hire and inspire our teams to be next-generation thinkers and responsible stewards of our industry, the greater community and the environment.
Our 2025 goal: Rheem will train 250,000 plumbers and contractors on sustainable products or sustainable installation and recycling best practices.
Progress we’re proud of
Our New 2022 Sustainability Progress Report details how we’re tracking against our 2025 goals. See the report—and how we’re doing—below.
energy reduction for customers’ hot water needs.”
“A big part of innovation is creating products people want, and consumers are demanding sustainable products. So we’re focusing our attention on having a positive effect—both on the air you feel at home and the air you breathe outside.”
“Sustainability is an end-to-end thing. Rheem has a responsibility to reduce energy consumption and waste during the manufacturing phase while offering consumers high-efficiency products that have a low impact on the planet.”
A Global Gathering
In December of 2021, Rheem held its inaugural Global Sustainability Summit, virtually hosting 250 employees from countries around the world to celebrate our progress, share ideas and collaborate on all things Sustainability.
Watch the video we shared to kick off the event.
The Rheem Family of Brands
When you see a badge from the Rheem family of brands on a piece of equipment, you know it stands for something. It represents our commitment to doing what’s right—for people, for the industry, for the planet.
Good by the Numbers
reaching a 100% diversion rate
Awards & Certifications click to learn more
Awarded By: Green Builder Magazine
Rheem was named a 2023 Eco-Leader by Green Builder magazine, earning the honor for the sixth year in a row. In 2023, Rheem was recognized for achievements in environmental stewardship, social responsibility, and corporate governance.
Awarded By: Green Builder Magazine
Green Builder magazine named the 120-volt Rheem® ProTerra® Plug-in Heat Pump Water Heater a 2023 Sustainable Product of the Year, noting it as “ideal for drop-in gas unit replacement and high-efficiency upgrades.”
Awarded By: US Environmental Protection Agency
Rheem is proud to have received the Sustained Excellence award for being named ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year in 2021, 2022 and now 2023. The US Environmental Protection Agency adds the Sustained Excellence award for winners who not only have earned Partner of the Year for several years in a row, but whose achievements have surpassed those in previous years.
Rheem earned the award in the Products category, which is for companies distinguished for designing and manufacturing high-efficiency products.
Product Awarded: Rheem® ProTerra® Plug-In Heat Pump Water Heater
Awarded By: Consumer Technology Association
In 2023, the Consumer Technology Association honored the Rheem® ProTerra® Plug-In Heat Pump Water Heater with an Innovation Award in the Sustainability, Eco-Design & Smart Energy Category. The Consumer Technology Association noted that the ProTerra is the first of its kind in the market and “provides a game-changing plug-in, ready-to-use drop-in gas replacement offering energy savings and high-efficiency performance.”
Product Awarded: Friedrich® VRP® West End Heights Project
Awarded By: U.S. Green Building Council
The West End Heights Project, a project using Friedrich® VRP® Air Conditioners to provide filtered fresh air, was named an Outstanding Affordable Project by the U.S. Green Building Council and given a 2022 LEED Homes Award.
The annual LEED Homes Awards celebrate green residential projects, developers and builders using LEED to improve the quality of life for residents, reduce a home’s impact on the environment and create healthier and more resilient communities.
Product Awarded: Rheem® Renaissance™ Packaged Commercial Units (15–25 tons)
Awarded By: The Chicago Athenaeum Museum of Architecture and Design and Metropolitan Arts PressLtd.
The Rheem® Renaissance™ Packaged Commercial Line in 15–25 tons earned the GOOD DESIGN® Award, presented by the Chicago Athenaeum, as one of the most innovative and cutting-edge product designs produced around the world.
Products are selected based on criteria established in the original 1950 program for the highest aesthetic in terms of innovative design, new technologies, form, materials, construction, concept, function, utility and energy efficiency, and sensitivity to the environment.
Product Awarded: Rheem® Prestige® Series Variable Speed Heat Pump
Awarded By: Green Builder Magazine
In 2022, Green Builder Magazine named the Rheem® Prestige® Series Variable Speed Heat Pump as one of the sustainable products of the year. Green Builder noted that the Prestige Series Heat Pump “provides cooling efficiencies up to 54 percent higher and heating efficiencies up to 34 percent higher than typical heat pump designs,” as part of its reason for being honored with this distinction.
Products Awarded: Rheem® Commercial Heat Pump Systems, Rheem® Triton®.
Awarded By: FacilitiesNet.com
In 2022, FacilitiesNet.com awarded both Rheem® Commercial Heat Pump Systems and the Rheem® Triton® Commercial Water Heaters with a Vision Award. The Vision Awards honor innovation and excellence in products contributing to the efficient, profitable operations and management of institutional and commercial buildings in the United States.
Product Awarded: Rheem® Prestige® Series Variable Speeed Heat Pump
Awarded By: Green Builder Magazine
Not only did the RP20 Heat Pump earn a place in Green Builder Magazine’s Sustainable Products of the Year (formerly the Hot 50 Products) for the Cooling and Heating category. Green Builder also gave the RP20 Heat Pump special recognition by naming it an Editors’ Choice as one of the inaugural Decarbonization Dozen. The magazine highlighted the unit’s efficiency, its sound-suppression features and the fact that the RP20 can help homeowners save more than $7,000 over its lifetime.
Sustainable Product of the Year selections represent today’s most innovative products that make buildings more resilient, intelligent, efficient, healthy and safe.
Editor’s Choice
Heating, Cooling and Water Heating
Product Awarded: Rheem® ProTerra™ Hybrid Electric Water Heater
Awarded By: Green Builder Magazine
In 2021, Green Builder Magazine named the Rheem® ProTerra™ Hybrid Electric Water Heater its Editors Choice for the Heating, Cooling and Water Heating category. Green Builder noted that the ProTerra Hybrid Electric “offers four times the efficiency of standard electric water heaters, energy savings, build-in WiFi among its reasons for the Hybrid Electric earning the distinction.”
Product Awarded: Rheem® ProTerra™ Hybrid Electric Water Heater
Awarded By: Green Builder Magazine
For the 2021 edition of its Sustainability Awards, Green Builder Magazine named the Rheem® ProTerra™ Hybrid Electric Water Heater the editor’s choice for the innovation of the year award. Out of all entries, the ProTerra Hybrid Electric was one of only 14 products to earn the distinction and one of only four products in the hot water category.
Brand Awarded: Rheem® ProTerra™ Hybrid Electric Water Heater
Awarded By: Edison Awards
The Edison Awards is an annual competition honoring excellence in new product and service development, marketing, human-centered design, and innovation. Its vision is guided by the legacy of Thomas Edison and his Menlo Park team who successfully brought an unprecedented number of innovations to the market.
