Air Source Heat Pumps in Wisconsin

Environmental & Economic Research and Development Program Air Source Heat Pumps in Wisconsin: Multifamily & Single-Family Applications

About the Research Project

This research project was designed to conduct market and technical research to inform the best programmatic approach for air source heat pumps (ASHP) in Wisconsin by analyzing existing programs and data and best practices through interviews and feedback sessions with building owners. The research also developed technical guidance and Technical Reference Manual (TRM) recommendations.

Contributor: Center for Energy and Environment and Elevate Energy
Project Timeline: August 2020- October 2021
Research Objectives:

Identify best practices and financing programs to install ASHPs in the single family and multifamily segments.
Support program design analysis through primary market research including listening sessions with multifamily building owners and managers and literature reviews of single family and multifamily ASHP programs.
Develop technical guidelines incorporating best practices for maximizing cost-effective savings suitable for Focus on Energy programs.

Single image air source heat pumps in wisconsin

Research Project Highlights

The project researched how to maximize energy savings from ASHPs and explored ASHP applications that could result in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reductions. Research and analysis was conducted in four areas:

Economics and Market Potential.
HVAC Contractors Voice of the Customer.
Multifamily Building Owner and Manager Voice of the Customer.
Best Practice Review.

Research Methodology

The following methods were employed in this research:

Best Practice Review.
Collection of secondary market data and analysis.
Multifamily building owners and managers listening sessions.
Interviews with experts and other key stakeholders.
Development of technical guidelines.
Leverage existing research.

Key Findings

The research provided the following conclusions to help guide Focus on Energy’s efforts to maximize program performance:

The ASHP offering will need to dramatically expand in the coming years to meet current and future savings goals; it is a critical element of the Focus on Energy portfolio.
The A/C replacement market is the most critical market-driven priority in the short term.
The largest retrofit opportunity is the nearly 400,000 Wisconsin housing units currently heated with electric resistance.
Especially high barriers to participation exist for multifamily electric resistance customers.
Additional contractor engagement is needed, including training.
Additional customer education materials and targeted campaigns are needed to support contractor sales.
Partnerships with rural utilities to develop additional heat pump opportunities in rural areas, particularly for propane applications, which present member and customer benefits and GHG savings opportunities will be beneficial.

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Final Report

Questions?

Contact the Future Focus team at futurefocus@focusonenergy.com