001 - Heat Pump Performance & Cold Climates with James Ma

07/29/24 • 59 min

What are the design limitations of heat pumps? Did you know you had an electric heater inside your freezer? And are heat pumps really just air conditioners in reverse? This week, we talk to James Ma about the science and engineering behind heat pumps and where much of the performance gains - especially in cold climates - have been coming from in recent years. At the time of the recording, James was an Energy Executive in Residence at the Maryland Energy Innovation Accelerator (MEIA) and a former startup founder who created novel materials to help power cold climate heat pumps. To find links to the resources discussed in the podcast, click here. If you already have a good understanding of how heat pumps work and want to skip to the more advanced discussion, skip past the 11 minute mark.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Previous Episode

000 - Intro to the Podcast

I am excited to announce the Heat Pump Review podcast. The goal is to discuss heat pumps in a way that is accessible to people who are curious about the technology and how the technology can be best developed and deployed as the world transitions from inefficiently burning fossil fuels to efficiently heating and cooling our homes, our businesses, heating our water, cooling our foods, and even greening our industrial processes with an ever improving energy grid.

In the upcoming season, we'll talk to experts across the materials science making heat pumps better in cold climates, non-profits helping drive the adoption of heat pumps, financing startups and CDFIs that are helping make them more accessible, and more.

Thanks for subscribing and thank you for sharing with other heat pump enthusiasts!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Next Episode

002 - Decarbonizing LIDAC Homes with Ryan Trauley of Civic Works

Before millions of homes upgrade to a new heat pump – especially homes in low income and disadvantaged communities – multiple home health issues will need to be addressed first. For example, it would be best practice to make sure a home is properly insulated and air sealed so that their new heat pump can work most efficiently, yet if there's mold in the attic and a roof leak causing the mold, those two things need to be taken care of before the insulating and air sealing can be done, and before the insulation is upgraded.

On Episode 2 of the Heat Pump Review Podcast, we talk to Ryan Trauley of Civic Works' Energy Programs and Center for Sustainable Careers. Civic Works is a 30 year old, Baltimore-based non-profit on the front lines of the energy transition. They work with low income homes, helping them improve their home's safety and efficiency, and helping them upgrade appliances and access grant and incentive funds to do so. They also have an important career training initiative to help people transition into solar, roofing, and other jobs critical for the energy transition.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.