Commercial Motors

Cool Choice

NEEP sponsors throughout the region continue to promote packaged HVAC equipment meeting Consortium for Energy Efficiency (CEE) Tier 2 efficiency specifications, through Cool Choice and other programs. Sponsors are also promoting optional controls for economizers and for demand controlled ventilation. Many are in stages of promotions for improved in-field performance for packaged HVAC systems.

In April, the regional group completed a two-pronged market research project looking at in-field performance programs and the characteristics of the new equipment market. Evidence from several pilot programs shows that a rooftop HVAC operations and maintenance program can save an average of over 1,800 kWh a year, per unit treated - more than a weatherized electric heated home. There are thousands of these units in use, and in many cases, there are over a dozen units per building. This represents a significant opportunity for savings.

Market characterization shows that there are almost 60,000 commercial HVAC units sold in the region each year. Almost 20 percent are energy efficient but rebates are processed for only five percent. The working group is developing program modifications for 2007 and beyond to make a bigger impact on the market.

HVAC Standards

On the national scene, the HVAC community is looking at two specification steps in the near future. Recent federal activity pushes up the implementation of efficiency standards for packaged commercial HVAC systems. In January 2008 small air conditioning (AC) units will have a baseline of 13.0 energy efficiency rating (EER)- up from 10.0. In January 2010 larger AC units face a new baseline matching the current CEE Tier 2. The national group of program managers lead by CEE are developing revised efficiency specifications in three tiers to phase in the planned changes up to and beyond 2010. The tiers will be finalized by summer.

 

For more information, please contact Jon Linn at jlinn@neep.org or 207-338-9705

Working Group Develops Regional Lighting Strategies

NEEP’s new Commercial Lighting Initiative hit the ground running in 2006. The regional working group is initially taking on an equipment promotion project for high performance fluorescent systems (HP T8) funded by the Department of Energy. Meanwhile, the working group is also developing a regional strategy for integrated lighting design.

In May, the group completed its market characterization research of HPT8 systems. They found that qualifying fixtures are quickly becoming more available especially in areas where programs are active. However, distributors are not necessarily stocking the fixtures, making it clear that there is still a great need for more information and education for manufacturer representatives, distributors and contractors in the region. In the spring, the working group will develop a strategy to help this market grow.

In looking at a regional strategy for integrated commercial lighting design, the working group is considering a number of strategies including redeveloping existing resources, which have reached transition points, such as DesignLights and Advanced Lighting Guidelines.

As an initial step in integrated design, several sponsors have committed support for NEEP’s application to the Department of Energy to fund a feasibility study for daylighting design resources. The application through the State Energy Program (SEP) proposes resources from the Daylighting Laboratory at the University of Washington and funded through the Northwest Alliance. NEEP hopes to hear of funding by late summer.

 

For more information, please contact Melissa Lucas at mlucas@neep.org, or 781-860-9177, ext. 15.

ENERGY STAR amending residential lighting specifications

NEEP and several Initiative sponsors participated in the development of the Consortium for Energy Efficiency Lighting Committee’s final set of comments to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) on the draft ENERGY STAR compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) specification. In addition, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and DOE are considering adding the GU-24 base to the ENERGY STAR CFL and fixture specifications. GU-24 is an integrated lamp/ballast with a pin-base for insertion in ENERGY STAR qualified fixtures. NEEP continues to track the development of lighting specifications.

Sales data available

2005 ENERGY STAR market sales data for qualified appliances is now available on the ENERGY STAR Web site. The Northeast continues to be a leader in sales of ENERGY STAR qualified dishwashers, clothes washers, room air conditioners and refrigerators sold at National retail chains.

Retailer sales training

The following ENERGY STAR windows sales training sessions were delivered in the second quarter of 2006:

April 12- North Brunswick, New Jersey
April 13- Mount Laurel, New Jersey
May 31- Covington, Kentucky
June 1- Lexington, Kentucky

NEEP was pleased to partner with the Southface Institute and the Kentucky State Energy Office to provide training which included coverage of the Federal Energy Policy Act Tax Incentives.

ENERGY STAR Windows retailer sales training was created through a grant from the Department of Energy. Each three-hour session consists of an informative, interactive program that is available from NEEP and a schedule subject to interest. Builders, window retailers, manufacturers, and other energy efficiency stakeholders are welcome to attend.

A windows training program will be available to members of the Northeast Window and Door Association (NWDA) on October 26, 2006 in York, PA.

Please contact Elizabeth Titus for more information. 

For more information, please contact Melissa Lucas at mlucas@neep.org, or 781-860-9177, ext. 15.

Quality installation specification comments allowed

To qualify under American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standards, the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) released its Quality Installation Specification for Residential and Small Commercial HVAC Equipment for public comment until mid June. The draft specification establishes minimum criteria for both the “quality installation” of HVAC systems as well as a “quality contractor.” A copy of the draft specification can be downloaded at the ACCA Web site.

Home Performance Symposium

In conjunction with the Affordable Comfort Home Performance Conference, the Home Performance with ENERGY STAR National Symposium was held on May 23, 2006. The U.S. Department of Energy, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) all participated.

Home Performance programs are gaining interest among energy efficiency program administrators across the country. In the Northeast, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), Efficiency Vermont and NEEP Initiative sponsors in Massachusetts currently offer Home Performance programs, and other are considering doing so in the future.

During the Symposium, ENERGY STAR provided an update on the national program and previewed a new marketing tool that will soon be launched on the Home Performance Web site. 

In addition, a panel of Home Performance contractors shared their hands on experience and their reasons for working with local energy efficiency Home Performance programs. You can find more information, as well as presentations from the event, on Affordable Comfort’s Web site.

Water heater specification

ENERGY STAR is considering the development of a specification for water heaters for all fuel types. More information can be found on the ENERGY STAR Partners Web site.

 

For more information, please contact Elizabeth Titus at etitus@neep.org, or 781-860-9177, ext. 11.

Residential HVAC research complete

A comprehensive research project on energy efficiency opportunities for residential HVAC in the Northeast is now complete. The final report, which will be available in July, concludes that over $3 billion in cumulative net oil, gas, and electric energy and demand savings could be achieved by residential HVAC energy efficiency activities in the Northeast from 2007 to 2016. The research was funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, and the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities.  Please contact Elizabeth Titus for more information.
 
Evaluation training offered to be offered this summer

NEEP was part of a team of evaluators from around the country working with the Consortium of Energy Efficiency to develop a one-day workshop on methods, concepts and issues relating to energy efficiency program evaluation. The training will available to members of the National Association of Regulated Utility Commissioners (NARUC) at their meeting this summer. Drs. Ken Keating (Bonneville Power Administration) and Marion Brown (Southern California Edison) will teach the workshop. More information is available on the NARUC Web site. 

Commercial HVAC Market research complete

A report prepared by the New Buildings Institute reviewing regional and national pilot efforts for commercial rooftop HVAC unit retrofit programs, including estimates of energy savings, cost-effectiveness, key factors in the rooftop program designs, and potential for new technologies to impact the rooftop services market, is complete.

A second report, prepared by KEMA, summarizing results of a small survey of distributors of HVAC equipment, including estimates of market share of high efficiency equipment and distributors’ marketing practices and awareness of efficiency program opportunities, is also complete.

Both final reports will be available in July. Please contact Elizabeth Titus for more information.

Commercial Lighting research complete

A report prepared by Energy & Resource Solutions presenting results of a market survey to determine the current status of market availability of high performance T8 fluorescent fixtures, including barriers to availability is complete. The final report will be available in July. For more information, please contact Elizabeth Titus.

AESP survey

In May, members of the Association of Energy Service Professionals (AESP) Market Research and Evaluation Topic Committee, including Elizabeth Titus of NEEP, conducted a survey on backgrounds, research interests and hot topics in the community. Results will be made available in the near future.

ACEEE Summer Study

Register now for the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy's (ACEEE) Summer Study Program being held on August 13-18, 2006 in Pacific Grove, California. For more information on the meeting whose theme is Less is More: En Route to Zero Energy Buildings, please visit the ACEEE Web site.

 

For more information, please contact Ed Londergan at elondergan@neep.org, or 781-860-9177, ext. 29.

Division of Capital Asset Management seeks training

NEEP is currently working with the Massachusetts Division of Capital Asset Management (DCAM) to provide training to employees of the Massachusetts Trial Court system. DCAM provides professional services to state agencies in the fields of public-building design, construction, maintenance and real estate. The organization is a strong supporter of the Building Operator Certification (BOC) program. This is second year they have requested NEEP’s BOC training for state employees.  

New Hampshire Community Technical Colleges to use BOC program

NEEP’s BOC staff is working with the New Hampshire Community Technical College system to help them offer the BOC program as part of their new Energy Certification course. The first of these courses will be available to students in the fall of 2006.

Seminar Development and Presentations

This year, NEEP has developed training seminars on energy management planning, energy efficiency for financial managers and energy basics. Five of these seminars were delivered during the second quarter to audiences across the Northeast, including:

• Massachusetts Municipal Energy Symposium
• New England School Development Council’s annual meeting
• Connecticut Light & Power and United Illuminating sponsored public seminars
• Efficiency Maine’s meeting for school and municipal financial officers

Massachusetts Housing Finance Agency seeks training

NEEP continued to work with the Massachusetts Housing Finance Agency (MHFA) to develop a residential energy efficiency program for the facility and maintenance staff at the properties for which they have provided funding. In addition, NEEP has agreed to provide energy efficiency training to MHFA account managers. MHFA works with 200 property management firms and has funded 5,000 housing developments for a total of 100,000 units across Massachusetts. BOC program manager has presented energy efficiency training concepts at six regional meetings held by MHFA.   

Municipal Energy Symposium a success

Ed Londergan worked with the Massachusetts Facility Managers Association, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, the Massachusetts School Business Association as well as NSTAR, National Grid, Cape Light Compact, and KeySpan to develop a Municipal Energy Symposium which was held on April 12, 2006 in Franklin, Mass. This highly successful event attracted more than 125 attendees, primarily from municipalities and school districts. The program provided information and resources- with an emphasis on energy efficiency- that municipal officials could use in the design, construction and operation of facilities. The demand for the program was overwhelming, and 100 people had to be turned away from registering due to lack of space. This strong interest had led to planning for another Symposium in the fall. 

Trade shows and presentations

NEEP has also made presentations to a variety of state and regional associations, including a meeting of Massachusetts Government Finance Officers in May.

NEEP staff members Ed Londergan, Marilyn Toomey and Keith Guernsey manned the NEEP exhibits at the New England Building and Facilities show (April 5-6) and the New England Facilities Expo (April 21-22). Keith Guernsey represented NEEP at the New England Business Matchmaker meeting (June 7).

BOC courses for New Jersey Bureau of Public Utilities

NEEP’s Don Fudge and Ed Londergan met with the New Jersey Bureau of Public Utilities (BPU) and representatives of the various utilities in the state to plan for BOC courses over the next year. The BPU has agreed to provide funding for 90 percent of the tuition for the 2,400 largest commercial and industrial customers. A BOC marketing plan for New Jersey has been developed and forwarded to stakeholders for comments.

BOC High Performance Schools Pilot Program

NEEP recently completed a pilot series of BOC courses designed specifically for the needs of facilities personnel serving high performance schools in Massachusetts. The program was funded by a grant from the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative. The BOC for high performance schools will be offered in other Northeast states in the future.

Public BOC course offered in Massachusetts

In order to meet a significant interest from facilities personnel in Central and Eastern Massachusetts, NEEP opened a publicly available BOC course this June. Public courses are a departure from the current BOC business model of providing in-house training to organizations and associations. Because attendance was high, NEEP is considering offering more open courses in other states.

 

For more information, please contact Carolyn Sarno at csarno@neep.org, or 781-860-9177, ext. 19.

New Exchange Program Manager named

Donald Fudge, now Director of Training and Education for NEEP, announced the addition of Carolyn Sarno as the High Performance Schools Exchange Program Manager. Carolyn started her new duties on May 31, 2006. A short biography for Carolyn is available in the Announcements section of this newsletter.

Vermont High Performance Schools Initiative Summit

NEEP participated on the planning committee for the Vermont High Performance Schools Initiative summit entitled, Solutions for School Facilities: Today and Tomorrow. The one-day event for education leaders and design professionals was held on March 30, 2006. Throughout the planning process, NEEP’s High Performance Schools Exchange manager helped develop the summit program, cultivated speakers and shared information about other conferences for school officials.

During the summit, NEEP facilitated a breakout session focused on the planning process and outcomes for Turners Falls High/Great Falls Middle School, one 18 schools in the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative’s Green Schools Initiative pilot project. A designer and green school advocate from the superintendent’s office shared information with Vermont designers and school committee members. The summit also featured a financial panel, where NEEP presented information about the impact of first cost and life cycle savings on community bonds. The Vermont Summit attracted 180 participants, of whom more than ninety were school superintendents, facility managers or school board members.

Northeast Regional High Performance Schools Protocol discussion draft

NEEP distributed a discussion draft of the Northeast Regional High Performance Schools Protocol, written by contractor Energy & Resource Solutions, to members of education departments in the six New England states and New York, along with members of the Exchange Technical Task Force and state working group members. Comments from state school funding agencies and design professionals have been processed and recorded. Next, the Protocol will be reviewed at a forum of state working group members, including education department personnel.

Facilities Management Conference

NEEP’s High Performance Schools Exchange program manager served on the planning committee for the New England Development Council’s Facilities Management Conference, taking responsibility for the morning portion of the day-long event. As part of the program, NEEP introduced a Building Operator Certification course instructor who presented a condensed version of NEEP’s Developing an Energy Management Plan seminar that trains participants in planning and selling conclusions to school administrators. Both presentations received excellent evaluations and NEEP has been invited to assist in planning the event again in the future.

 

For more information, please contact Don Vigneau at dvigneau@neep.org, or 860-498-0055.

New Building Energy Codes Project Manager named

Don Vigneau joined NEEP on May 1, 2006 as program manager for the Building Energy Codes Project. To read Don's brief bio, please see the Announcements section of this newsletter.

Massachusetts building code hearings

NEEP’s new Building Energy Codes Project Manager, Don Vigneau, attended a May 23, 2006 public hearing on proposals by the Massachusetts Board of Building Regulations and Standards (BBRS) for updating residential provisions of the 2006 Massachusetts Building Code. The major energy-related issues addressed were:

• Insulation requirements based on the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) 2004 prescriptive component values (requiring R-21 cavity insulation, but not recognizing a cavity plus continuous insulation requirement), thereby eliminating a number of products (specifically fiberglass batts and sprayed and blown-in insulation systems), and supporting only one or two manufacturers’ materials that meet the criteria. Several insulation manufacturers and installers testified against this restriction. This issue failed to garner support at the 2005 International Code Council (ICC) hearings because of lack of coordination between the International Residential Code (IRC) and the IECC committees’ respective votes on changing this value.


• The Responsible Energy Codes Alliance (RECA) and the Building Energy Codes Assistance Project (BECAP) testified in support of updating the code equivalent to the 2006 ICC family of codes. They noted that the two separate and distinct requirements for prescriptive wall envelope compliance are detrimental to simplifying compliance and enforcement. They supported adoption of the 2006 REScheck compliance alternative, and requested that the 2004 ASHRAE 90.1 standard become the reference for compliance. To simplify the requirements, the groups supported the elimination of window-to-wall ratios keyed to wall R-values.


• A duct insulation manufacturer spoke in favor of retaining the existing R-5 wrap value in lieu of the proposed R-8 compliance with the 2006 IRC, but requiring stricter enforcement of the actual installation. 

The thirty-day comment period following the hearing ended on June 22, 2006. NEEP is preparing a summary of the hearing with recommendations for going forward to be presented to Codes Project sponsors and Advisory Committee members.

Code conference planning

NEEP is currently serving on the planning committee for the Department of Energy’s 2006 National Workshop on State Building Energy Codes, which takes place in Denver, Colorado on July 31-August 3, 2006. NEEP is involved in planning the training program track and the “above code” program track. NEEP also played a key role in developing the Energy Code Training from Soup to Nuts workshop segment that will lead participants through a model training plan, including needs analysis, selection and development of materials, trainer selection, training and evaluation. A second workshop program, Putting Web-Based Training on Your Menu, will feature a case study presented by the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. The “above code” track consists of a number of panel presentations dealing with a variety of above code programs. For more information about the National Workshop, please visit the Department of Energy’s Building Energy Codes Web site. 

Code mentoring

NEEP met with code administrators in Massachusetts and Rhode Island to plan a mentoring project that will be funded through a Department of Energy State Energy Program special project grant. Next month, key code inspectors and officials will meet to identify the issues affecting energy code implementation and compliance, including:

• Training
• Enforcement
• Tools to simplify the process
• Familiarity with energy codes and/or building systems
• And more

Once the issues are identified and prioritized, a training and implementation plan will be developed. The goal is for Massachusetts and Rhode Island to develop a plan that will improve compliance in all areas of the building code and that can be used for training in other states as well.