The Shanahan Ridge Heat Pump Access Pilot was an opportunity to install efficient heating and cooling in Boulder, CO neighborhoods. In collaboration with local partners, this project aimed to replace standard baseboard heating with heat pumps.

The Scene

In the foothills of Boulder, Colorado, Shanahan Ridge has long been known as a place people choose to stay. With scenic views, established neighborhoods, and a strong sense of community, both Shanahan Ridge Five Association (120 townhomes, est. 1976) and Shanahan Ridge Seven Condominiums Association (160 condominiums, est. 1975) reflect what makes Boulder living unique.

The Challenge

But like many communities built in the 1970s, the homes were powered by aging electric baseboard heating—reliable, but increasingly inefficient, costly, and out of step with modern energy goals.

That’s where the opportunity began.

Turning a Community-Wide Challenge into a Scalable Solution

Motili, a subsidiary of Daikin, partnered with local utilities to launch the Shanahan Ridge Heat Pump Access Pilot, a coordinated effort to help homeowners transition to high-efficiency, all-electric heating and cooling.

Rather than approaching upgrades one home at a time, the team worked directly with both HOAs to design a solution that could scale across the community.

This meant aligning on more than just equipment. It required:

• HOA-approved system designs and placement standards
• Consistent installation practices across hundreds of units
• A streamlined path for residents to adopt new technology without added complexity

Motili’s Design and Estimation team led the technical foundation, conducting detailed heat-load calculations for each residence to ensure every system was properly sized for comfort and efficiency.

At the center of each upgrade: Daikin ductless heat pumps, featuring an outdoor unit paired with one or more indoor “head(s)”, designed to deliver quiet, efficient, room-by-room comfort. Specifically, Motili installed Daikin AURORA Multi-Zone systems.

Heat Pump Solution Designed for Residents

For homeowners, the decision to switch wasn’t just about new equipment. It was about outcomes that matter day to day.

The pilot made heat pumps more accessible by combining utility incentives and program coordination, helping residents access systems at up to 65% below retail cost.

The result is a solution that delivers:

• Lower upfront investment
• Reduced monthly heating and cooling costs
• Quiet, all-electric operation
• A more sustainable, future-ready home

In most homes, heat pumps now serve as the primary heating and cooling source, with baseboard systems used only when needed to supplement during peak conditions.

From Pilot to Measurable Impact

What began as a pilot quickly translated into tangible results across the community:

• More than 50 homes electrified
• Approximately $300,000 in rebates processed through EnergySmart and Xcel Energy
• Significant reduction in reliance on baseboard heating
• Full alignment with HOA design and installation requirements

Beyond installation, the project is contributing to a broader understanding of electrification at scale. The City of Boulder and Boulder County will continue monitoring seasonal electricity usage to evaluate long-term performance across both winter and summer months.

Built on Coordination at Every Level

Projects like Shanahan Ridge don’t succeed on equipment alone. They require coordination across stakeholders—homeowners, HOAs, utilities, and contractors.

Motili’s role was to orchestrate that complexity:

• Aligning program requirements with HOA standards
• Standardizing design without losing site-specific accuracy
• Managing rebate processing and project workflows at scale

The result is a model that can be replicated across similar communities looking to modernize aging infrastructure without disrupting residents.

“This collaboration is all about empowering homeowners to take advantage of new, energy-efficient technology and in return they will see lower utility costs as well as a positive environmental impact,” said Teagan Hough, Electrification Sales Manager at Motili.

A Closer Look at Energy-Efficient Heating & Cooling

As more communities look to electrification, Shanahan Ridge offers a clear example of what’s possible when planning, design, and execution come together.

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