RTF Quarterly Newsletter: Quarter No. 45 July-September 2021

A lot of this quarter’s work fell under the HVAC application with the RTF developing a new gas measure, a new measure for zonal heating small commercial spaces, and spending some time updating an existing ductless heat pump measure.  

Residential Gas Furnaces

At the July meeting, after having brought a gas furnace measure to the group at the previous month’s meeting, contract analysts followed up on that prior meeting direction and the RTF voted to adopt the measure.  This is a new proven measure that is part of RTF efforts to build up the gas side of the measure portfolio. Energy efficiency for gas furnaces can be gained through condensing to capture waste heat, heat exchanger improvements, two-stage and modulating combustion, low nitrogen oxide premix burners, insulation improvements, direct and/or concentric venting, off-cycle dampers, and more efficient blower motors. This measure applies to ENERGY STAR or CEE Tier 2 furnaces with an AFUE of 0.95+ or CEE Tier 3 furnaces with an AFUE of 0.97+. Applicable furnaces are in existing single family or manufactured homes with a heating output of less than 225,000 BTU per hour.

Small Commercial DHPs

At the August meeting the RTF adopted a new planning measure focused on smaller commercial spaces and an existing space where there’s electric resistance heating. The group was able to make some updates during the meeting that were incorporated into the measure, directing analysts to add a few space types and modify the modeling slightly. Qualifying DHPs are inverter-driven, with a variable speed compressor, and have a single outdoor compressor and one or more indoor blower units connected with a single refrigeration circuit. They are less than or equal to 36,000 Btu/h in total rated heating capacity at 47 degrees F, are fully ductless or use short duct runs, and are not installed in a commercial kitchen, computer server room, or other space where heating is not required. Applicable space types are offices, schools, grocery and non-grocery retail, restaurant dining, lodging common areas, and lodging guest rooms. The measure is approved as planning due to uncertainty in the savings estimates. The RTF has developed and adopted a research strategy for post-installation metering and targeted billing analysis to try and reduce that uncertainty. 

DHPs for Electric FAF Homes

Finally, at the September meeting, the RTF updated savings and costs for the ductless heat pumps for single family and manufactured homes heated by electric forced air furnaces measure. This measure is the addition of a DHP to an existing home with a central electric forced air furnace. Typically, the DHP is used to offset some or most of the heating load otherwise met by the EFAF.  However, this measure specification does not include a control strategy, nor does it preclude homes with significant supplemental fuel use. 

New BPA evaluation data allowed for updated savings for MH in HZ1 and prompted a reevaluation of heating zone three that resulted in a HZ3 application being added back into the measure. A lot of uncertainty in HZ3 remains, and the savings are still considered unreliable, and require more research. The measure saw some changes in cost-effectiveness because of these updated savings.

As they do about twice a year, the RTF Contract Analyst Team presented their preliminary scoping of proposed measures for the RTF to review and decide which measure to allocate further resources into developing. These proposed measures are submitted via an RTF webpage and are ideally a reflection of the region’s interests. In their scoping, CATs are looking for if there is a clearly defined UES or Standard Protocol measure and what that measure’s specification would be. They are also considering the value of RTF development, the anticipated lift of development and how the measure fits into the RTF’s existing workplan. The RTF body is then asked to weigh value, lift and fit to determine which of the proposed measures is a good use of RTF resource. Staff then takes the RTFs decision to allocate resources and fits the measures’ development into the work plan considering regional priorities and time available.

In September the RTF considered six measure proposals and voted to allocate resources to the following:

Air Source Heat Pumps for Commercial Buildings, Retrofit and Upgrade
This measure was proposed by BPA, and is likely to consider both an upgrade and a conversion measure to either replace an existing electric-resistance heating system with an efficient electric ASHP or upgrade an existing ASHP to a more efficient one. It has been added to measure added to the RTF measure queue to hopefully be developed next year.

Packaged Terminal Heat Pumps for Multifamily and Commercial Buildings
This measure would be to install a PTHP into a multi-family or commercial building to replace existing electric resistance heat. In it's development the RTF will need to think through defining appropriate efficient cases. DHPS aren’t always the most cost-effective option, sometimes a PTHP might be the more logical choice.

Efficient Electric Vehicles
This measure would be for an EV that is able to travel a greater than average distance be kWh of input energy (MPGe). The RTF will need to think through both the efficient case and competition groups. There is a lot to learn through this measure's development but it’s definitely something regional utilities are thinking about as EVs will be a growing part of utilities’ loads.

Commercial Whole Building Performance Standards
RTF approved the development of a white paper to look at paths towards deep savings and costs in commercial buildings from a pure technical analysis perspective. There is more scoping to be done for this product, but similar to the ASHP white paper the RTF produced this year, this hopefully will help inform programs and program design. This will be a slightly different product than a UES, but guidance documents like this are something the RTF is interested in exploring when they can provide value to the region.

Small & Rural Utilities Subcommittee
The Small/Rural Subcommittee meets once a quarter to discuss how to support the specific needs of small and rural utilities.  

Ductless Heat Pumps Subcommittee
The DHP subcommittee met to preview and provide feedback on the contract analyst team’s proposed planning UES measure for commercial DHPs. This measure will be presented at the August 2021 RTF meeting for approval.

Implementers Group
The Implementers Group meets once a quarter to discuss the outcome of the RTF meetings, upcoming RTF meeting topics, and other topics that affect program implementers in the region.

Operations Subcommittee
The Operations subcommittee meets before each RTF meeting to review and discuss the RTF meeting agendas, decisions, and contracts.