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STATEMENT OF WORK

Project Title:

Strategies to Increase HVAC Efficiency in the Northeast

Contractor:

New York State Energy Research & Development Authority (NYSERDA)
17 Columbia Circle
Albany, NY 11203-6399
(518) 862-1090

Program Area:

Buildings

Partners:

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

Project Description:

Comprehensively assess the HVAC efficiency opportunities in the Northeast region, leveraging research opportunities in New York and New Jersey that have a high cooling load and a diversity of heating fuels and systems. The project combines technical studies including field measurements of 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.

Management Plan (Approach):

The unique nature of STAC requires that projects be supported by multiple State entities, and to the extent necessary any other entity. As indicated in the STAC Agreement, it is the Contractor’s responsibility to coordinate the execution of work under the Contract, incorporated by reference hereto. Contractor, in conjunction with the other State entities, and to the extent necessary any other entity, shall conduct the project in accordance with the Management Plan (approach), attached hereto.

Task 1: Project Kick-off Meeting

There will be an initial meeting of key project staff – project sponsors, contractors and STAC staff – prior to the start of any substantive project work. This meeting will ensure that all project team members have a clear understanding of the project scope of work, timeline, budget, and reporting responsibilities.

NEEP to conduct Task 1.

Task 2: Characterization of Regional HVAC Market Structure and Analysis of Market Trends

This task will include assessment of current regional (New York, New Jersey, and New England) market size and shares for different residential HVAC equipment and fuel types, how the market is changing (including how new construction, remodeling and renovation activities, system replacement, and fuel conversions are affecting market shares), the effect of existing and possible future building codes and equipment efficiency standards on the market, how new or emerging technologies may impact the market, and how industry is marketing products and services to consumers. The assessment will examine the current trend toward consolidation among HVAC service providers and the potential impact of new market entrants, such as the large home improvement center chains, into the residential HVAC market. While some of this information exists for cooling markets in the region, much less comparable data are currently available on the market for heating systems and various fuel types in the Northeast.

NMR/NEEP to lead market characterization and research under Task 2.

Task 3: Assessment of HVAC Efficiency Potential and Emerging Technologies

This task will develop an estimate of HVAC savings opportunities in the Northeast, by state and by measure. Such information is important to inform future HVAC program direction in the Northeast and to put into context the research findings from tasks 4 and 5 below. Much of this task’s work will consist of a review of the current literature and a set of structured interviews with experts in the field; e.g., researchers at the national laboratories. This effort will focus on a variety of efficiency opportunities for all major fuels, addressing both hardware and practices in new and existing installations.

NEEP to lead research under Task 3.

Task 4: Assess the Benefits and Cost Effectiveness of HVAC Contractor Training

This research task will quantify both the benefits of contractor training/certification and recommend possible modifications in current training approaches to increase customer benefits and program cost-effectiveness.

CSG/NMR/NYSERDA to lead research and analysis of Task 4.

Task 5: Determine the Relationship Between Laboratory Ratings for Energy Efficiency of High SEER Central Cooling Units and Their Performance in Actual Installations

Four air conditioners with recently installed high SEER two speed or variable speed central air conditioning systems and one high efficiency single speed AC system will be selected for this study. The systems will be tested and evaluated to determine if the operating characteristics, demand, EER, and kWh used by high efficiency residential central air conditioning systems, based on laboratory tests, can be duplicated under actual field conditions. Performance data will be gathered that can be used to validate modeled annual energy savings, peak load predictions, and economic projects to be used by New Jersey, New York, and other states in the region in predicting the impact of programs now underway or contemplated.

CSG & PEG to lead field research for Task 5.

Task 6: Develop a Market-Based Duct Sealing Program

The activities in this task include: (1) Review the on-site results from the contractor training assessment task and the findings from the contractor interviews. In addition to summarizing these data, the project team will determine if there are any correlation between duct leakage and other survey parameters: building age, system and when installed (as part of new construction or as a retrofit), type of ductwork, as well as contractor training. Current barriers to the offering of these services will be identified as well as possible solutions. A detailed set of recommendations will be developed to address a viable, market-based duct sealing delivery infrastructure that includes specific marketing concepts that can be used for contractors, manufacturers, and programs administrators as part of their long-term program strategies. Two focus groups, one in New York and one in New Jersey will be held to get critical contractor feedback.

CSG/NMR to lead research to conduct Task 6.

Task 7: Project Report and Presentation

The project team will present the findings from the research tasks and the project recommendations at a presentation to the STAC Board. Feedback from the STAC Board will be incorporated into the draft report and project presentation into a final report. The final report will include copies of all interim deliverables and survey instruments.

NEEP to lead report development and presentation for Task 7.

Project Tasks, Status, and Deliverables

Last Updated: 10/24/06