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Strategies to Increase HVAC Energy Efficiency in the Northeast

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) and the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJ BPU) project, Strategies to Increase HVAC Energy Efficiency in the Northeast, has a one-year timeframe, on a schedule that accommodates field research during one cooling season. NYSERDA, the NJ BPU, NEEP, Conservation Services Group (CSG), Proctor Engineering Group Ltd, and Nexus Market Research comprise the project team.

Home heating and cooling systems offer the next major opportunity for energy savings in the Northeast. The objective of the proposed study is to comprehensively assess the HVAC efficiency opportunities in the Northeast region, leverage research opportunities in New York and New Jersey, which have a high cooling load and a diversity of heating fuels and systems. The study combines technical studies including field measurements HVAC equipment performance and installation quality with research and analysis of the regional HVAC market structure and strategic development of a market-based duct-sealing program model. Outcomes of the study will include “best practices” addressing all major fuel types; state and regional estimates of market penetration of HVAC equipment; estimated achievable potential energy and demand savings from efficiency improvements not currently embraced by the regional HVAC industry; recommendations regarding promotion of high efficiency heating and cooling systems based on research results; an assessment of the impacts of installer training and certification on in-field performance of heating and cooling systems; and recommendations for integrating the findings into current efforts to transform the residential HVAC market.

Regional market characterization and analysis of trends will be informed through structured interviews and telephone surveys with market players, from utility program administrators to manufacturers, trade allies and contractors. Information obtained from the surveys will be leveraged for the field-based studies and development of duct-sealing program concepts. HVAC savings opportunities by fuel type, heating system, state and region, will be assessed and quantified based on literature review in synthesis with findings from the market assessment and field-based tasks. The benefits and cost-effectiveness of HVAC contractor training will be assessed based on on-site visits to samples of customers with recently installed heating and cooling equipment. Data collected in a field study with continuous monitoring of variable speed CAC systems during the cooling season will be compared with laboratory test ratings of SEER and EER and analyzed to measure the real impact of these systems on the distribution grid. Results will be used to assess demand impact of high efficiency residential central air conditioning installations in new and existing homes in the Northeast.

Finally, a report and presentation will present study results and recommendations of strategies to increase market adoption of high efficiency heating and cooling equipment and best practices.

The project has a total budget of $588,104, of which $261,955 is requested from STAC, and $326,149 is costs shared, from non-Federal sources, by the sponsors. This includes an in-kind contribution of services from Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships, Inc.

Contact:

New York State Energy Research & Development Authority (NYSERDA)
17 Columbia Circle
Albany, NY 11203-6399
(518) 862-1090 x3355
Contact: Brian Atchinson
Email: bta@nyserda.org

Partners:

New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU)
Conservation Services Group (CSG)
Proctor Engineering Group
Nexus Market Research
Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships, Inc. (NEEP)

Cost:

Total project cost: $588,104
STAC-DOE portion: $261,955
Participant portion: $326,149

Statement of Work and Status

Final Report

Final Report

Last Updated: 10/19/07