Heat Pumps With Thermal Energy Storage Project

Overview
Center for Energy and Environment (CEE) is evaluating strategies for pairing thermal energy storage with air source heat pumps (ASHPs) in Minnesota. This project is funded by the Conservation Applied Research and Development (CARD) program, administered by the Minnesota Department of Commerce, Division of Energy Resources. This research will help identify promising and cost-effective approaches that help residents save money while improving the resiliency of our electric grid.

The project team is currently recruiting for demonstration sites. If you are interested in participating, please complete the following survey. 

Why participate?
Selected participants will receive rebate incentives to defray the cost of upgrading to a thermal energy system with an air source heat pump. Depending on the local electric utility, this may also provide eligibility for cost-saving electric rate structures.

Who is eligible?
Single-family homeowners in Minnesota willing and able to upgrade their home with a project-eligible heating and/or cooling system are encouraged to apply. Priority may be given to homes which better represent typical building characteristics in the state or which have lower upgrade requirements. Homeowners with propane, electric resistance, electric thermal storage, air source heat pumps, or hydronic heating systems are especially encouraged to apply. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.  

What does participation mean?
Interested homeowners must complete the following eligibility survey and share information about their current heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems to be considered for the program. Selected participants will work with contractors to install a heat pump with thermal energy storage system by December, 2024 with some of the costs being offset by available project incentives. CEE will schedule 3-6 performance monitoring visits (each 1-4 hours long) to install, maintain, and remove remote monitoring equipment on the new HVAC system in order to evaluate its performance. Monitoring is expected to end in Spring 2026. Participants will be asked to share historic utility cost data for their home and provide feedback on their experience with their HVAC system.

How to apply
To determine your eligibility for the project, proceed by completing the following survey. Completion of this form is completely voluntary. If you apply now, you can change your mind about participating later. This survey should take approximately 5-15 minutes to complete by computer or mobile device. The first page will request that you upload pictures of your HVAC system and electric panel so we can evaluate feasibility of participation. All other pages have quick short answer or multiple choice questions about you and your home.  

Questions or concerns about the survey can be directed to Lindsay Genty at: lgenty@mncee.org or 612-335-5878.

The information collected in this survey will be used by CEE for research purposes only. Select the yellow next button at the bottom of this page to begin the survey to apply.