Retrofit electrification of existing buildings is critical for reaching energy and climate goals, yet there are many substantial challenges with replacement of heating, cooling, ventilation, and water heating systems. In particular, the extensive rework required to switch to heat pumps is complex, laborious, disruptive, bespoke, and expensive. In this webinar, researchers and practitioners will share about innovations and experience with emerging system design strategies that advance efficient electrification of single family and multifamily buildings. In part through grants funded by the US Department of Energy (DOE) and the California Energy Commission (CEC), the presenters have explored, installed, and monitored a variety of all-in-one, combi-, integrated-, and modular mechanical systems that combine most or all of the heating, cooling, ventilation, and water heating functions into pods or packages to simplify design, streamline installation, and enhance performance. This session will overview various technologies investigated, consider their tradeoffs, present an evaluation of their field performance and installation experience, and examine their applicability in different residential applications.

Learning Objectives:

1. Introduce and discuss combined mechanical equipment both in development for and available in the US residential building market today.
2. Understand installation experience, system performance, and serviceability from case studies of equipment installations in occupied apartments.
3. Compare and contrast with conventional mechanical equipment retrofits, and evaluate market applicability for these products.
4. Share lessons learned from field demonstration research on product design for manufacturers, system design for building owners and design teams, and installation procedures for contractors.