Optimizing Heat Pump Readiness: Exploring Assessment and Remediation of Duct System Performance, Southeast

Submitted data include (a) home characteristics for a sample of 200 market-rate and 200 model HVAC rebate program records; (b) survey responses from 180 HVAC workforce respondents and the survey question set; and (c) summary results from a tools assessment of the market rate and model rebate programs.

The project took place in the Southeast from October 2024 through July 2026. Much of the data evaluated come from the Tennessee Valley Authority service territory; the project's community of focus was owner-occupied, single-family homes in Metropolitan Nashville. The goal of this work was to address the problem that, when ducts are leaky, undersized, poorly insulated, or otherwise underperforming, a substantial portion of the energy and comfort benefits expected from heat pump upgrades can be lost- a problem that the standard HVAC retrofit business model does not effectively address. This project examined how duct performance can be assessed and improved during normal retrofit workflows.

Rebate home characterization, system performance, and HVAC assessment tools data were collected from the program implementer. Workforce input was provided via responses to a Qualtrics survey and focus groups.

For more information about the research project, including a technical report and additional data, please visit the project homepage linked in this submission.