An Integrated Control Method for Supplemental Minisplit Heat Pumps in Existing Homes: U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy (EERE)

Lena Burkett, Karen Fenaughty, Eric Martin, Danny Parker, Bereket Nigusse, Lena Burkett (NREL Technical Monitor)

Research output: NRELTechnical Report

Abstract

The Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC), a research institute of the University of Central Florida, has investigated low-cost space-conditioning upgrade solutions for existing homes since 2014. The retrofits involve installing a modest-capacity, centrally located, high-efficiency, ductless, minisplit heat pump (MSHP) for use in conjunction with the home’s existing central space-conditioning system (CSCS). A retrofit targets homes with older but not obsolete CSCSs that have not reached end of life, and presents a more cost-effective option to achieve space-conditioning energy savings than outright CSCS replacement. Energy savings are achieved by using the high-efficiency MSHP to offset runtime of the lower-efficiency CSCS, which also achieves reductions in associated duct losses and duct-leakage-induced infiltration.
Original languageAmerican English
Number of pages63
DOIs
StatePublished - 2021

NREL Publication Number

  • NREL/TP-5500-78353

Other Report Number

  • DOE/GO-102021-5492

Keywords

  • air infiltration
  • Building America
  • buildings
  • central space conditioning system
  • duct losses
  • ductless mini-split heat pump
  • integrated residential controls
  • Nest smart thermostat
  • Sensibo wireless smart thermostat

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