Watch the recording:  

Though heating and cooling in the U.S. accounted respectively for 65 percent and 24 percent of energy delivered to residential and commercial customers in 2015, the sector remains dominated by the use of fossil fuels. Renewable thermal technologies, especially heat pumps paired with solar, have the potential to dramatically improve energy efficiency and reduce energy-related emissions.  

The Texas Energy Poverty Research Institute, a collaboration of power market participants focused on better understanding and addressing energy and fuel poverty in Texas, is speeding the adoption of heat pumps in affordable housing. Their team will present their research on pathways for reducing energy burden in Harris County, Texas, and how to advance energy equity and ensure the financial and environmental benefits of renewable thermal technologies to low-income communities.

Panelists: 

• Dana Harmon, Executive Director of the Texas Energy Poverty Research Institute
• Erick Jones, Researcher at the Texas Energy Poverty Research Institute 

Moderator: 

• Isabel Harrison, MEM Candidate at Yale School of the Environment and Renewable Thermal Alliance Network Manager the Yale Center for Business and the Environment

About the Renewable Thermal Alliance webinar series: 

The Renewable Thermal Alliance (RTA), a public-private partnership initiated by NYSERDA, CT Green Bank, and Yale University, aims to develop the infrastructure for large-scale deployment of renewable thermal technologies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through energy savings and fuel shifting. Our webinar series highlights recipients of the 2020 RTA Seed Innovation Grants on policy, technology, and market developments in renewable heating and cooling.