Case Study
Historic Carriage House Heat Pump Retrofit
A modern heating and cooling system designed around the character and constraints of an 1892 St. Paul carriage house.
- St. Paul, Minnesota
- Location
- Historic carriage-house condo
- Home type
- Heat pump system design
- Scope
- 2024
- Completed
The Opportunity
The James J. Hill Carriage House was built in 1892 to store carriages, sleighs, and an early automobile. Today, the red-brick building near Summit Avenue contains three residences. When homeowner Tom Irvine's gas furnace neared the end of its life, he chose to use the replacement as a step toward lower-carbon heating.
Nick's Role
Nick Bender helped evaluate the unusual building and select a heat pump that fit the condo. The project called for more than a standard equipment swap. The system had to work within a historic structure while providing dependable regional product and distributor support.
The team selected a Bryant heat pump distributed by Auer Steel. Stafford Home Service completed the installation, with Nick present when the project began.
The Result
Fresh Energy reported that the new system was already cooling and dehumidifying the home during summer 2024. The same heat pump was designed to take on heating as temperatures fell, showing how modern equipment can be adapted to an older, distinctive building.
Source Coverage
This project was originally documented by Fresh Energy.
The heat pump brought cooling and dehumidification to the condo while preparing the historic home for Minnesota's heating season.
The outcome