Heat Pump as AC Replacement Equipment Compatibility & Modulation
RFP Overview
The Brightline Group, on behalf of ComEd Customer Innovation, is seeking proposal submissions for research into the combination of equipment and thermostat control settings in partial electrification scenarios that result in proper heat pump (HP) modulation and increased efficiency. This research should provide ComEd with results and recommendations that can improve program design, as well as outline updated guidance for ComEd trade allies to ensure optimal HP performance in residential AC-replacement scenarios (e.g., which thermostat settings on which pieces of equipment will enable modulation on inverter-driven HP).
This research should address the following objectives:
- Develop standardized settings to enhance HP performance when the motivation is HP-as-AC replacement.
- Outline best practices for quality installation of HP-as-AC replacement, including quantifying the energy and non-energy benefits, in ComEd program(s).
- Summarize best practices for integrating and implementing research findings into ComEd program(s).
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Intent to Bid
If your organization is interested in bidding on this RFP, please email [email protected] by 11:59 pm CT on February 16, 2026, the following:
- Any questions about the RFP or process;
- Whether your organization wants its name released to other vendors to facilitate potential partnerships on this RFP; and
- Your organization’s intent to bid.
In the email subject line, please include 1) your organization’s name, and 2) the title of the RFP. The deadline for submitting an intent to bid is February 16, 2026.
ComEd strongly encourages that interested vendors allow their organization’s name to be released to facilitate potential partnerships on this RFP. Please indicate in your intent to bid whether your organization is interested in having its name released by ComEd for potential partnership on the RFP.
RFP Submissions
Email your proposal to [email protected] by 11:59 p.m. CT on March 2, 2026. In the email subject line, please include 1) your organization’s name, and 2) the title of the RFP.
Note: The BrightLine Group, E Source, and Swift Strategy team is the Administrator for the ComEd Customer Innovation initiative. BrightLine is the Prime contractor. As BrightLine’s subcontractor, E Source’s primary responsibility is subcontracting to organizations selected to run pilots. Accordingly, E Source, on behalf of BrightLine and ComEd, will hold the contract with the selected vendor. Terms and Conditions for subcontracts are provided by request.
Submit your proposal by 11:59 p.m. CT on March 2, 2026 to [email protected]
Please be sure to include 1) your organization’s name, and 2) the title of the RFP in the subject line of your email.
RFP Schedule
| RFP issued by BrightLine, on behalf of ComEd | February 9, 2026 |
| Intent to bid due | 11:59 pm CT on February 16, 2026 |
| Deadline to submit questions | 11:59 pm CT on February 16, 2026 |
| Deadline to indicate interest in having the organization name released by ComEd for a potential partnership on the RFP | 11:59 pm CT on February 16, 2026 |
| BrightLine, on behalf of ComEd, releases names of vendors interested in potential partnership on RFP | 11:59 pm CT on February 18, 2026 |
| BrightLine, on behalf of ComEd, posts responses to questions | 11:59 pm CT on February 23, 2026 |
| RFP submissions deadline | 11:59 pm CT on March 2, 2026 |
| Respondents will be notified of the next steps after ComEd and the Customer Innovation Admin Team have reviewed submissions | March 16, 2026 |