Events

    Optimizing Ducted Heat Pumps for Residential Electrification: Load Calculations, Equipment Selection, System Airflow and Layout, March 19

  • 19 March 2026
  • Start time : 09:00 AM
  • End time : 12:00 PM
  • Event Host : Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E)
Free Webinar: Optimizing Ducted Heat Pumps for Residential Electrification: Load Calculations, Equipment Selection, System Airflow and Layout, March 19, 9 am - 12 pm PT
Event Description

This three-hour class will deal with design, equipment choice and layout issues. The relevant performance factors are: system capacity, refrigerant charge and system airflow. We will review design, installation and commissioning details for each of these performance factors. These performance factors can be applied to both conditioning and ventilation system ducts. We have designed, built and commissioned both retrofit and new construction projects that exemplify the concepts covered in class. Course content will include design examples, photos, installations, and test results from commissioning.

Learning Objectives - 

The objective of this course is that at the conclusion, participants will be able to:

  • Describe a load calculation and ideal equipment choices given a typical California building load
  • Cite the benefits of small heat pump systems
  • Identify some of the challenges we face when laying out a duct system
  • Summarize the criteria for building safe and efficient refrigerant plumbing
  • Outline the process for building testing a refrigerant line set
  • List the charge adjustment techniques required for different heat pumps
  • Discuss an alternative option for high efficiency, high airflow gas heat that is appropriate for California
  • Understand and articulate how each component and process involved in electrical upgrades directly impacts the electrical efficiency and overall electrical performance of a house. This includes optimizing energy conversion efficiency, reducing losses, and improving the reliability and stability of the electrical infrastructure

Image - Constant Home Comfort

  • Host Company/Organization Name
    • Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E)
  • Agenda
    • Introduction and safety message

      System Capacity
      How much capacity do we need
      Should we use a heat pump
      Mini-split VS conventional
      If you do use gas for heat what system is best
      How do we design so our customers can shift to time of use billing without negative consequences
      What is a load calculation and what do they tell us
      Do we pick the same equipment type regardless of the load
      Zoning strategies for high efficiency buildings

      System Airflow
      System capacity defines duct size
      What will fit in a given building
      Large ducts lead to losses and complexity issues
      Small ducts lead to low airflow and performance issues
      Layout strategies for high airflow systems

      Refrigerant Charge
      Line set building and preparation
      Nitrogen pressure testing
      Vacuum testing
      Charge adjustment – super heat, sub cool, weigh in
  • Speakers / Presenters
    • Dan Perunko

      Dan Perunko is cofounder of Balance Point Home Performance Company. In 2006, along with Gavin Healy, Dan started a successful company providing full service home performance analysis, retrofits, consultations, and trainings. Dan works on new and existing construction designs and hands on installations of enclosures, mechanical, plumbing, and indoor air quality components based on tested performance outcomes. Dan especially enjoys improving existing homes to provide homeowners with levels of comfort and energy consumption that they have not believed possible. Dan is a professional trainer who designs and delivers full and multi day courses for California’s Utility Companies (energy training centers) and ACI national and regional conferences. Dan brings his experience from construction, design and building analysis, to make his class materials relevant, useful and understandable regardless of the attendees’ level of experience.
  • Cost
    • FREE Event
  • Event type
    • Online/Webinar

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