Skip survey header

Radiator Retention Research Study

Introduction

Overview
Center for Energy and Environment (CEE) is evaluating the compatibility of air-to-water heat pumps (AWHPs) in boiler-heated homes in Minnesota. This study aims to learn more about the relationship between existing radiators and the actual heat demand of the building in winter. Understanding this relationship will help us determine whether AWHPs can be a highly efficient heating option, supplying the existing radiator system with lower temperature water than the current boiler while still meeting the comfort needs of the home. Efficient heating retrofit options for boiler-heated systems currently require homes to switch from radiators to forced air heat by installing new ductwork or using a ductless mini-split system. AWHPs can be a competitive heating efficiency option that can potentially use the existing radiator network while still offering the addition of mini-split heads for cooling if desired. 

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

Why participate?
In a previous field study, AWHPs demonstrated up to 50% heating energy savings in Minnesota homes. Participation will provide you with an evaluation of your existing heating system to determine whether AWHPs can be a competitive heating efficiency option for your home compared to more common ductless and ducted heat pump products.  

Who is eligible?
Any occupants of a residential building in Minnesota are eligible to participate, including renters and homeowners of single-family homes or apartment units. Participating homes must use boilers and radiators as their primary (and ideally, their only) heat source. Participants must also have dedicated heating systems for their home that is not shared with non-participant units. Participants must be able to provide the research team access to the historical energy usage of their home (from electric and/or gas bills) from at least 12 months prior to the assessment. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.  

What does participation mean?
Interested participants must complete the following eligibility survey and share information about their home and heating system to be considered for the program. The CEE team may reach out for further information if necessary. Participation will be confirmed via email or phone, and a participation agreement will be provided for signature before an initial visit can be scheduled to perform the on-site evaluation. The evaluation will focus on the HVAC system, documenting boiler nameplate data (ratings, serial number, etc.), water flow rate, temperatures at each radiator, and radiator specifications (style, size, number, etc.). The evaluation will require access to the boiler and all radiators supplied by it. Similar data may be collected should other heating and cooling systems be present. 

No equipment will be left behind, and all HVAC system measurements will be taken on-site only. Participants will be asked to share historical utility cost data for their home and provide feedback on their comfort and general experience with their heating system. Though most participants will only receive one assessment visit, some participants may be contacted for further visits if needed.

Each home visit will be compensated with a $100 gift card per visit per home (apartment unit or single family building). 

How to apply
To determine your eligibility for the project, proceed by completing the following survey. Completion of this form is completely voluntary. Applicants reserve the right to change their mind about participating until their eligibility for this study is confirmed and a separate participant agreement is signed. This survey should take approximately 5-15 minutes to complete by computer or mobile device. The survey will request images of your heating system. Uploading an image is optional but strongly recommended. Multiple images are encouraged as needed to capture any notable features as they relate to the boiler, radiators, and other heating/cooling systems. All other pages have quick short answer or multiple-choice questions about you and your home. Please provide as much detail as possible.

Questions or concerns about the survey can be directed to Nathan Okey at: nokey@mncee.org or 612-208-7955.

Please continue to the next page to begin the survey.

Privacy Notice

Center for Energy and Environment (CEE) is collecting information to support recruitment for this research project. Information may also be summarized, analyzed, and reported in aggregate form, and made available to the Minnesota Department of Commerce, the public or others. By providing the information requested, you allow CEE to use it for the purposes described in this notice. This project is supported in part by a grant from the Minnesota Department of Commerce, Division of Energy Resources (DER), through the Conservation Applied Research and Development (CARD) program. CEE and DER must comply with the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act, Minn. Stat. Ch. 13, as it applies to all data. All data may be shared upon receipt of a public data request, court order or provided to the state or legislative auditor as required by law. Participation is voluntary, and you may refuse to provide the requested information at any time, with no penalty or loss of benefits other than your eligibility to participate in the research project.
0%