Research
At CEE, research provides the foundation for all of our programs. We conduct field research in buildings ranging from homes to high-rise office towers to generate objective data on the energy savings and performance characteristics of energy measures. We conduct technology and market assessments to find the energy strategies of the future. We also conduct indoor air quality research, a vital aspect of building performance that can interact in many ways with energy measures. Our findings are made available to energy practitioners, utilities, building owners and policymakers and shape our own program design. CEE is nationally known for our research and our staff has published over 100 technical papers on building and mechanical system performance.
Current Research
CEE recently completed a two-year project that tested high-efficiency tankless water heaters head-to-head against conventional tank-type heaters in ten homes. In a follow-up project, CEE is testing combination water- and space-heating systems in the lab and in 20 homes.
CEE is undertaking the largest study of its kind to evaluate the claims made by two manufacturers of optimization equipment for commercial roof top units (RTU).
CEE is participating in an ASHRAE research project measuring air leakage in new mid- and high-rise commercial buildings nationwide, and is conducting a separate project measuring air leakage in older low- and mid-rise commercial buildings in Minnesota.
CEE is evaluating the energy savings and customer satisfaction from two types of feedback mechanism on energy use provided to residential customers. We are also evaluating a service providing feedback on energy use to owners/managers of multifamily buildings.
CEE is monitoring incursions of secondhand smoke into non-smokers' apartments in multifamily buildings.
Featured Experts
Director of Engineering and Business Development