Modern low-ambient , mini-split heat pumps offer the promise of providing both heating and cooling without the cost associated with duct retrofit . It is common for these heat pumps to be installed alongside an existing hydronic heating system , often oil-fired .

The National Oilheat Research Alliance ’ s just-released Development of a Best Practices Guide for Integrated Hydronic and Ductless , Air-source Heat Pump Systems studied the operation of hybrid systems of this type . The goal of this study was to provide a guideline ( Best Practices Guide ) for control strategies that would provide greatest efficiency while maintaining comfortable heating of the home . This was achieved through performing field tests and an annual performance analysis .

The field tests provided a baseline understanding for creating the Best Practices Guide . Data collected from six sites across New York State provided insight into how the hybrid systems are currently configured and operated . Based on this , and a set of performance data for various boilers and heat pumps , an annual performance analysis was performed . This component of the study simulated cost and energy usage for various combination of heating appliances ( heat pump and oil-fired hydronic ) for different control methods that were chosen .

In most cases , the heat pumps were installed for enhancing comfort in a small part of the home and control of the switchover between the two systems was casual . Cost savings associated with the heat pumps were not found to be significant . Higher efficiency hydronic systems were found to be favorable relative to typical heat pumps .

The study was conducted and authored by Neehad Islam , Dr . Thomas A . Butcher , and John Levey for NORA , and was submitted to the New York State Energy Research Development Authority , a prime funder of the research . The 105-page document is available at : https :// secureservercdn . net / 50.62.198.70 / f54.2d7 . myftpupload . com / wp-content / uploads / 2021 / 06 / Heat-Pump- Project-Report-FINAL-061721 . pdf .

Videos of presentations at the second annual conference of the National Oilheat Research Alliance ( NORA ) and the European Heating Oil Association ( Eurofuel ) are available online . The groups hosted the conference , Low-Carbon Liquid Heating Fuels :

Putting the Pieces Together on May 20 and May 27 , 2021 . The presentations can be viewed at https :// noraweb . org / eurofuel-nora- 2021-conference /.

The 2021 event was presented online and featured speakers and topics with the goal of putting the pieces in place to answer the questions raised during the 2020 event , Low-Carbon Liquid Heating Fuels in a Carbon Constrained World .

This year ’ s conference drew 245 attendees from 15 countries during the two days of presentations .

The first day focused on public policy and greenhouse gas reductions . Speakers reviewed carbon reduction public policy actions in some of the states in the U . S . and several countries of Europe , as well as what effect Brexit will have on policy in the U . K . Various mechanisms for encouraging low-carbon fuel use were addressed including carbon taxes , low-carbon fuel standards and mandates as well the push towards electrification ( heat pumps ). Additionally , the program also looked at how other renewable fuel users ( aviation , trucking , off-road ) intersect with the heating industry and whether there are any technical or legal obstacles to low-carbon liquid fuel use .

The second day focused on technology advancements and asked whether they are positioning the industry for a future . This included discussion of the technologies of the fuels themselves and which markets they are best able to serve , the state of the heating equipment available and their ability to accommodate low-carbon fuels and meet the needed efficiency requirements .

The European Heating Oil Association ( Eurofuel ) represents organizations that promote the use of heating oil and liquid fuels for domestic heating in Europe . Our membership covers 10 European countries , including over 10,000 companies . Eurofuel is engaged in the promotion of existing and innovative techniques for liquid fuels for heating and equipment in the domestic market . Its members are committed to ensuring the competitiveness & efficiency of heating with oil and liquid fuels , while also reducing its environmental footprint . Find out more at eurofuel . eu and follow us on Twitter (@ EUROFUELenergy ). Contact Eurofuel at sandrine . devos @ eurofuel . eu

NORA , headquartered in Alexandria , Virginia , was authorized by Congress in 2000 to generate funding , from within the industry , allowing the oil heat industry to provide more efficient and more reliable heat and hot water . NORA ’ s efforts focus on energy efficiency , environmental responsibility , safety , research and Development , and professional education , with particular emphasis on transitioning heating oil and its appliances to a low-carbon source of heat and hot water . For more information on NORA ’ s activities go to NORAweb . org or contact NORA at info @ noraweb . org . l FON

32 JULY / AUGUST 2021 | FUEL OIL NEWS | www . fueloilnews . com