Heat Pump Technology and Market Primer

Course Description

Matt Christie, Director, Advanced Residential Building and Decarbonization at TRC, provides an overview of decarbonization and how heat pumps can play a role in it. He reviews how heat pumps work using the vapor compression cycle. Air source heat pumps, heat pump water heaters, ground source heat pumps and air to water heat pumps are reviewed as well as key market realities facing wider adoption of heat pumps. Recorded February 15, 2024.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe how a heat pump works.
• Explore common types of heat pumps.
• Summarize ASHP design considerations.
• Describe key market realities.

About the Instructor:

Matthew Christie is the Director of Energy Efficiency, Electrification, and Decarbonization at TRC. For over a decade, Matthew has worked with clients on advancing the residential building sector towards net-zero, all-electric construction. His work includes designing and implementing residential new construction utility incentive programs, supporting code-readiness initiatives, engaging with heat pump manufacturers, distributors, and contractors, and developing training and education tools. Matthew’s work in this space spans new construction, retrofit, multifamily, and single-family markets. In his 12+ years with TRC, Matthew has worked with a diverse mix of clients in California, Oregon, New York, and across the country, driving the future of residential home construction and retrofit norms. His most recent projects focus on advancing electrification by developing heat pump quality specifications, conducting code-advancement research, designing contractor trainings, supporting new fuel switching savings claim methodologies, and updating key performance indicators for residential programs.

Course Outline

• Clean Energy & Fuel Switching Policies

• GHG Reduction Potential

• Basics of Heat Pump Operations

• Primary Heat Pump Types

• Air Source Heat Pumps

• ASHP Design Considerations

• Heat Pump Water Heater Types

• Integrated HPWH Design

• Ground Source Heat Pump (GSHP – Geothermal)

• Air to Water Heat Pump (AWHP)

• Key Heat Pump Market Realities

• Exam