Session: 04-01: Research for the Clean Energy Transition I

Paper Number: 125960

125960 - Nontechnical Barriers to Building Decarbonization in the U.S. 

Abstract: 

The need to reduce anthropogenic carbon emissions into the atmosphere is abundantly clear. It is also becoming widely accepted that transitioning to air source heat pumps (ASHP) is an effective means to decarbonize buildings. The technological barriers to such a transition are covered in the literature, but the nontechnical barriers of adoption of ASHP also need to be considered. These nontechnical barriers include cost, awareness, perception of effectiveness, availability of knowledgeable installers, regulations, incentives, and political and psychological barriers. The technical focus of the decarbonization problem has blossomed into complex models as an increasing number of factors are incorporated, yielding more accurate models. Although some nontechnical challenges to ASHPs are mentioned, research into the barriers and evaluation of methods to overcome those barriers are an essential part of understanding necessary to successfully reduce anthropogenic carbon. Technical barriers pair with technical solutions - but nontechnical barriers are often slightly ambiguous and complex and the corresponding solutions require input from other disciplines.

 

This research identifies the nontechnical challenges of heat pump adoption and potential solutions. First we present a review of existing models to demonstrate the growing consensus that ASHP are an important part of decarbonization. Second, we present the nontechnical barriers as covered in the literature and compare them with the nontechnical challenges discovered through a case study and firsthand accounts. We find that the theoretical ideas of nontechnical barriers do not all align with the barriers in reality, and that these, especially the perception of the ineffectiveness of ASHP need to be addressed to enable the level of adoption necessary to meet climate goals.

 

One of the pervasive hurdles, and potentially the most challenging to overcome, is perception of the ineffectiveness of heat pumps at cold temperatures. The perception of the inability of ASHP to function in cold weather is held by those from all levels of education - from the average consumer to those doing academic research on the topic. The persistence of this misunderstanding impacts incentive programs, decreases consumer confidence in the technology, installer recommendations, and increases the overall cost to transition, as back up source of heat is recommended. Only by clearly identifying the real world challenges to adoption, potential solutions, and evaluating the effectiveness of strategies to support ASHP adoption, can the US reach the level of ASHP penetration necessary to achieve climate goa

Presenting Author: Kristen Osterwood Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Presenting Author Biography: Kristen has worked as a sustainability engineer at a nonprofit focused on building science, at utility working to incorporate sustainability, and in industry ensuring integrity of third party certifications. She has been in the Systems Engineering graduate program at WPI since 2020, where her research focuses on the decarbonization of heating and cooling buildings.

Authors:

Kristen Osterwood Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Jamie Monat Worcester Polytechnic Institute