Case Study
Case Study: All-Electric Upgrade in Minneapolis
A 4,350 square foot Minneapolis home with uneven temperatures, an oversized gas furnace, and a homeowner who wanted off fossil fuels entirely.
- Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Location
- 4,350 sq. ft. single-family
- Home type
- Whole-home electrification
- Scope
The Problem
This local homeowner was dealing with several frustrating issues in their 4,350 sq. ft. Minneapolis home, including:
- Uneven temperatures from room to room
- Drafts and airflow problems caused by undersized ductwork and poor register design
- A noisy, oversized gas furnace that cycled on and off too often
- Inconsistent comfort, especially on the coldest winter days
These challenges meant the home never felt consistently comfortable, despite high energy use. Plus, the homeowner wanted to eliminate the use of fossil fuels and move towards a fully-electric, high-efficiency home.
How Green Spirit Helped
Nick from Green Spirit was brought in as part of a larger team because they needed someone who could look at the entire home as a system instead of focusing on just one piece. He was able to:
- Review the home's existing HVAC design, ductwork, and comfort complaints
- Evaluate heat loss, airflow issues, and equipment sizing
- Coordinate with contractors and local experts to design a full electrification plan
This was a textbook example of why building science matters: solving comfort problems requires understanding airflow, heat movement, and equipment performance together, not in isolation.
The Outcome: More Comfort, Less Noise, Better Efficiency
The results of this project were successful in large part because they were rooted in building science, not guesswork. After the upgrade, the homeowners experienced a dramatic transformation: temperatures throughout the home became consistently comfortable and noise dropped thanks to variable-speed equipment.
Energy consumption also decreased as efficient heat pumps and improved controls worked together, and the home became more electrified, cutting down on natural gas use. With added solar and high-efficiency systems, the homeowners achieved their long-term sustainability goals.
List of Upgrades
A Properly Sized Cold-Climate Heat Pump System
A noisy, oversized two-stage gas furnace was replaced with a quiet, inverter-driven cold-climate heat pump from Bryant. This unit continually monitors and adjusts performance smoothly, increasing efficiency and lowering energy use.
Ductwork Improvements
Airflow problems were fixed by optimizing existing ductwork and adding a new return near the fan coil. This reduced static pressure and improved airflow.
Hydronic Heat Pump System for Radiant Floors
A high-efficiency air-to-water heat pump was paired with an electric boiler to supply warm water to the home's radiant heating system.
Indoor Air Quality Enhancements
A steam humidifier for healthy winter humidity levels, MERV 15 air filtration and purification, a UV lamp for coil cleanliness and efficiency, and a Renewaire ERV for continuous fresh air.
Heat Pump Water Heater & EV Charging
The homeowner also installed an 80-gallon heat pump water heater and EV charging to support full electrification.
Solar Ready
Rooftop solar was also added to further reduce emissions and allow the homeowner to run their new HVAC system using free, clean energy generated on their roof.
Temperatures throughout the home became consistently comfortable and noise dropped thanks to variable-speed equipment.
The outcome