NEEA called on us to develop a cost-effective and scalable gas combi reference design for the consumer market that helps sorption-style heat pumps to compete against “standard” direct-fired heating systems such as gas powered furnaces and electric baseboard heating. Sorption heat pumps, such as the NEEA gas combi reference design pictured here, are powered by a heat source – natural gas, waste heat, and even solar power. Sorption heat pumps can provide heating, cooling or refrigeration and use natural refrigerants with zero global warming potential.
Space-heating for commercial and residential structures is a major source of energy use, especially during peak winter and summer months. On average, heating and cooling in the U.S. accounts for 29% of residential energy use and 14% of commercial use.
