In 2019, we partnered with a nonprofit energy consulting firm based in Raleigh, NC called Advanced Energy, and Duke Energy Progress to study high-efficiency heat pump technologies in Asheville. According to the Department of Energy, “a heat pump can reduce your electricity use for heating by approximately 50% compared to electric resistance heating such as furnaces and baseboard heaters. High-efficiency heat pumps also dehumidify better than standard central air conditioners, resulting in less energy usage and more cooling comfort in summer months.” If a standard heat pump is a Toyota Camry, then these heat pumps are Teslas. They are some of the top of the line, most efficient units available.

Since we’re always looking for ways to build more sustainable homes, we jumped at the opportunity to partner with Advanced Energy and try out these new heat pumps.

For our part in this study, we equipped four new homes with variable-capacity, all-electric heat pumps. Even for a certified green home, these systems are super efficient. In exchange for receiving this system, homeowners will participate in a two-year study documenting the benefits and capabilities of these HVAC systems. Installed sensors will record the comfort (temperature and relative humidity) and energy consumption of the HVAC system, and professionals from Advanced Energy will come to collect data from these sensors 2-3 times a year.

We’re excited for the opportunity to partner with Advanced Energy to explore the effectiveness of these extremely efficient HVAC systems. The data they collect will allow Duke Energy to design incentive programs to encourage others to use this technology more in the future.