Research

Research Informs Everything We Do

At CEE, research provides the foundation for all of our programs.  Our research and engineering staff have conducted field research in commercial, multifamily and single family buildings for 25 years.  The staff designs and directs market research studies of groups ranging from low-income households to business owners, manufacturers and contractors.  CEE is nationally known for our research and our staff has published more than 60 technical papers on building and mechanical systems performance.
 

Recent Research

Tankless Water Heaters

Water heating is the second largest energy use in residential homes in the USA. It is also a very inefficient use of energy, with typical equipment efficiencies around 60%. CEE recently completed a two year field monitoring project to determine if high efficiency tankless water heaters could be part of the solution to this large inefficiency. Read More

Environmental Tobacco Smoke

CEE is a national leader in indoor air quality research for second-hand smoke transfer in multifamily buildings, including completing two projects for the Minnesota Partnership for Action Against Tobacco regarding environmental tobacco smoke. For more information on these studies, please contact Martha Hewett.

• Secondhand Smoke Transfer and Reductions by Air Sealing and Ventilation in Multiunit Buildings: PFT and Nicotine Verification (2010)
• Measured Change in Multifamily Unit Air Leakage and Airflow Due to Air Sealing and Ventilation Treatments (2007)
• Secondhand Smoke in Apartment Buildings: Renter and Owner or Manager Perspectives (2007)
• Reduction of Environmental Tobacco Smoke Transfer in Minnesota Multifamily Buildings Using Air Sealing and Ventilation Treatments (2004)
• Environmental Tobacco Smoke in Rental Housing - Perceived Problems & Interest in Smoke-Free Buildings (2002)
• Survey of Minnesota Renters Regarding Secondhand Smoke Movement in Apartment Buildings and Interest in Smoke-Free Buildings (2001)
• Survey of Multifamily Building Owners and Managers in Minnesota Regarding Movement of Secondhand Smoke in Buildings and Designation of Smoke-Free Buildings (2001)