Hybrid Heat Propane’s answer to the electric heat pump and grid failures & POWER INDUSTRY ADOPTION Personal use and rebate program encourages marketers to test the Heat Pump Helper in their homes BY BRIAN RICHESSON // EDITOR IN CHIEF A // brichesson@northcoastmedia.net new industry program is giving propane marketers and their employees an opportunity to test hydronic heating technology in their own homes before pro-moting the solution to their customers. The backup space heating application, called the Heat Pump Helper (HPH), is designed to provide an efficient, cost-effective and comfortable alternative to electric resistance strip heating in an air-source heat pump. Propane industry leaders say the HPH can boost gallons in the residential market and keep propane relevant amid the expansion of electric heat pumps. To build knowledge and momentum in the market, the Pro-pane Education & Research Council (PERC) approved a 2024 HPH personal use program at its November meeting in San An-tonio. PERC’s one-year, $400,000 program would provide $8,000 to each participating state and require the state to match the amount with its own rebate dollars. The funds would cover the purchase of up to 10 HPH units, at $1,600 each, per state. In return, propane industry member participants are required to share data and feedback – from the installation process to the performance of the product as well as other perspectives – through a PERC survey about the HPH. “It’s intended to be a quick-hitting program to get some of these products installed across the country and get feedback,” says PERC COO Bridget Kidd, in presenting the docket to the council. During the council meeting discussion, PERC President and CEO Tucker Perkins emphasized the point of the program: “We don’t envision this to be done by the general public. We envision A Heat Pump Helper panel discussion at the NPGA fall board meeting in Louisville, Kentucky, included, from left, Ryan Jackson of D.F. Richard Energy, Kevin Morgan of Rinnai, Tucker Perkins of PERC and Bruce Swiecicki of NPGA. ABOUT THIS SECTION This month’s special section gives propane retailers the information and knowledge they need to understand and promote the industry’s hybrid heat pump, an advanced, hydronic space heating solution that serves as a backup to the electric heat pump. Added power generation features can allow retailers to provide a full heat and power solution to customers. this to be [done by] employees of propane companies that are championing this product.” Kidd adds, “The intention is to create champions within the industry who have experience both on the installation and the performance of the system so they can go out and expand the use of the product.” The HPH is based on hydronic heating – a decades-old con-cept of using hot water as an energy source for space heating. It allows propane marketers to convert homes with new or exist-ing electric heat pumps to dual-fuel space heating systems by installing a gas-fired water heater or boiler or using one already on-site. Industry leaders cite the tankless models for their high flow rates and overall technological advancements. The HPH is a trademark of North Carolina-based Bindus Manufacturing, which develops the hydronic heating coil – called the Aquecoil – used in the system. It is one of several com-panies, including Rinnai, working to support propane industry solutions for the electric heat pump. “The biggest barrier is the resistance to change,” says Ar-mistead Mauck, the HPH project manager for PERC. “What we have done with PERC’s help, Bindus’ help, Rinnai’s help is remove barriers.” Stuart Weidie, president and CEO of Blossman Gas and a PERC councilor, says the heat pump market has massive poten-tial for the propane industry. “This is our answer to the heat pumps being incentivized LPGasmagazine.com 36 | LPGas January 2024 PHOTOS BY LP GAS STAFF
LP Gas January 2024: Page 36
