Air Source Heat Pumps for Low-Carbon Energy Transition and Sustainable Building Air-Conditioning

Abstract

Air-source heat pumps (AHPs) have recently been touted as a significant energy-saving technology and a potential path to decarbonizing space heating. However, recent studies suggest that in cold climates like Minnesota, all-electric AHP systems achieve these energy savings at higher initial and operating costs than natural gas-heated homes. This study examines dual-fuel (or hybrid) applications that combine AHPs and natural gas heating to reduce the high operating costs of all-electric AHP systems. Dual-fuel AHP products can replace central air conditioning and be integrated with existing natural gas heating systems. This configuration allows for the use of gas heat or AHPs for space heating, depending on economics and customer priorities. This product category can serve as an entry-level application for PACAs, familiarizing consumers and installers with PACA technology and enabling them to realize most of the savings of PACA systems while minimizing the barriers to all-electric PACA installations.