Heat Pumps
The (Efficient, Electric) Heat is On: Air Source Heat Pumps
Jan 12 2023
As part of The Climate Reality Project, we often talk about the need to wean off of fossil fuels to eliminate carbon emissions. But what does that actually mean? Especially for those who live in northern climates - we know we need to stop using coal and natural gas, but most of us depend on those fossil fuel sources for basic heating needs. So how do we actually make the switch to efficient electric solutions?
Heat pumps help fulfill that need. In this presentation, Alexis Troschinetz from the Clean Energy Resources Team of the University of Minnesota talks about the capability, cost and benefits of heat pumps focused on residential applications. Alexis also covers the impact of the recent Inflation Reduction Act, which has provisions for tax credits for various energy efficient improvements to your home. And stay tuned after the main presentation for a deeper discussion of specific use cases, including first-hand information from our membership who are knowledgeable in the installation of energy efficient heating and cooling solutions.
Q&A starts at the 34:00 mark.
About the Speaker: Alexis Troschinetz is the Behavioral Science and Evaluation Manager with the Clean Energy Resource Teams (CERTs) at the University of Minnesota’s Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships and Extension. She infuses behavior change science into CERTs programs; builds relationships and offers programming to utilities; and evaluates CERTs’ programs by tracking quantitative and qualitative metrics. She’s presented at Behavior, Energy and Climate Change conference, Minnesota Municipal Utilities Association conferences, and Energy Design Conference (a few times). She has also presented at the American Evaluation Association and Association for Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education conferences and authored four peer-reviewed journal articles. Alexis holds a professional engineering license in Minnesota and earned a B.S. and an M.S. in Environmental Engineering from Michigan Technological University, Sustainable Futures Institute. Alexis practiced Environmental Engineering for over 7 years at two consulting firms prior to CERTs, working on sustainable operations, remediation, and stormwater.