Gas heating system retrofits for low-income households: Evaluation results and future directions

Journal Article · Fri Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1988 · Energy Syst. Policy; (United States)

OSTI ID:6425327

Berry, L; Witte, P

Evaluations were conducted of pilot programs, implemented in Kentucky, Minnesota, Michigan, and Pennsylvania, that were designed to encourage the inclusion of gas heating system retrofits in the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP). All of the evaluations found that energy savings from the retrofits were less than anticipated and that the retrofits were not cost effective. The retrofits examined included heat extractors, power gas burners, electronic ignition and electric vent dampers, thermally actuated vent dampers, and tune-ups. The central conclusion is that gas heating system retrofits do not save much energy unless great care is taken in their application. Without extensive furnace selection procedures, along with careful training and quality control, technically possible reductions in consumption will not be achieved. If the inclusion of heating system retrofits in WAP is to be cost effective, better technical understanding and more highly individualized approaches to retrofit selection are required. In addition, the problem of developing organizational arrangements that can deliver highly individualized and technically demanding services must be solved. At present, the incorporation of furnace retrofits into WAP is not recommended. Furnace replacement is easier to implement and may be more cost effective.

• Research Organization: Energy Div., Oak Ridge National Lab., PO Box 2008, Oak Ridge, TN (US); Public Service Commission, Office of Planning, Policy and Evaluation, PO Box 30221, Lansin, MI (US)
• OSTI ID: 6425327
• Journal Information: Energy Syst. Policy; (United States), Journal Name: Energy Syst. Policy; (United States) Vol. 12:2; ISSN ESYPB
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

03 NATURAL GAS
034000 -- Natural Gas-- Combustion
29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290100 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Energy Analysis & Modeling
291000 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Conservation
32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
320106* -- Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization-- Building Equipment-- (1987-)
320603 -- Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization-- Municipalities & Community Systems-- Public Utilities-- (1980-)
AUDITS
BUILDINGS
CONTROL
COST
ENERGY AUDITS
ENERGY CONSERVATION
ENERGY CONSUMPTION
ENERGY SYSTEMS
EVALUATION
FEDERAL REGION III
FEDERAL REGION IV
FEDERAL REGION V
FUNCTIONAL MODELS
FURNACES
GAS FURNACES
GAS HEAT PUMPS
HEAT PUMPS
HEATING SYSTEMS
HOUSES
KENTUCKY
MICHIGAN
MINNESOTA
NORTH AMERICA
PENNSYLVANIA
PERFORMANCE
PILOT PLANTS
QUALITY CONTROL
REGIONAL ANALYSIS
RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS
RETROFITTING
USA
WEATHERIZATION