Ex-AirPods engineer simplifies heat pump installation

Mary-Ann Rau, a former AirPods engineer, co-founded Merino Energy to address the slow adoption of heat pumps in California. Their new product, the Merino Mono, integrates indoor and outdoor components into a single unit, drastically reducing installation time to about an hour and costing $3,800. This design plugs into standard outlets, avoiding costly electrical upgrades. The company aims to simplify heat pump technology, making it more accessible and affordable, potentially accelerating the state's goal of installing millions of units by 2030. Merino is initially focusing on the California market.