The goal of this project is to create a resource on programs and strategies that encourage heat pump adoption in new and existing homes by targeting non-cost barriers to adoption. California has identified heat pumps as a keystone technology to its path to decarbonization and plans to prioritize...

Heat pump space conditioning and water heating can greatly reduce energy consumption compared to existing electric resistance or natural gas combustion options. Requirements for electrical service upgrades add cost and installation delays for customers considering retrofitting heat pumps for space...

In January 2022 we completed a laboratory study (ET19SCE1110) on the proposed air vane technology under contract with the SCE ET&P group to investigate the benefits of installing air vanes on vertical open refrigerated display cases used in grocery stores.  In the lab assessment, a reduction of 17...

In recent years networking equipment manufacturers have expanded from their core product lines and have developed and promoted mesh networking systems (MNS) for residential consumers. Currently, 40% of manufacturers’ advertised Integrated access device (IAD) products are MNS. Unlike the previous...

VEIC proposes to demonstrate a building simulation modeling tool that links backwards looking data intelligence with forward projecting OpenStudio model simulations. The tool would use Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) data and regression methods to identify customer specifics about when and...

The State of California has an ambitious goal to install at least 6 million heat pumps by 2030. To address this need, several novel “micro” heat pumps are emerging in the consumer market that offer the ability to provide space heating and are powered by common household 120V electrical service...

With rising housing costs in California, the prevalence of affordable manufactured housing has been growing, especially in areas affected by recent wildfires. Many homeowners find manufactured housing to be a means to get them back in a home much faster, and much more affordably. For years,...

This project will study a Thermal Energy Storage System (TESS) that utilizes phase change material (PCM) inserted in the supply duct combined with smart controller optimizing for compressor limiting operations during peak demand periods. The TESS is actively managed to get the maximum benefit by...

Meeting the state’s climate and clean air goals requires electrification of the existing residential housing stock. Residential electrification is often erroneously assumed to require electrical panel and service upgrades in dwellings that currently have less than 200A of capacity. Under this...

This project will assess the decision processes of residential customers and contractors related to emergency water heater replacement (e.g., What priorities drive customer choices? What priorities drive contractor recommendations?) and technical solutions for emergency water heater replacements...