WARM Program Staff Development Meeting November 13 and 14, 2007 Lantern Lodge, Myerstown, PA
Meeting Objectives New Staff: Hear an overview of the First Energy WARM Program Experienced Staff: Refresher course For All Staff: Discuss recent WARM Program changes
Meeting Topics WARM Program Audit, top to bottom Purpose and Primary Steps Customer Interview/Partnering Process Seasonal Allowance Spreadsheet and Use History Structure and Appliance Inspection Measuring and Evaluation Air Leakage Measure Evaluation Health and Safety Testing Customer Education
Purpose of the WARM Audit Identify electricity-saving opportunities Recommend electricity-saving measures and actions Project savings from the measures and actions Recognize (and sometimes correct) health and safety problems
Purpose of the WARM Audit Form To Collect and Document: PUC required information Auditor discoveries existing conditions Allowable measures based on job type Auditor and customer action steps What was done post work conditions Auditor or installer concerns Supports the WARM 3 Invoice Can work as a work order form for some
Step One: Customer Interview Explain the purpose of WARM Assess the opportunity to save and explain your approach Introduce the Partnership Process Ask questions they usually know a lot about their space and comfort Include the customer in your decision-making View NJCP Education CD, segment 1
Assess the Opportunity Determine if the client s baseload use is low, mid range, or high using the actual kwh information and the following charts. Then focus your efforts in the home based on your determination. Since savings follows use, you will find more opportunity to install baseload measures for those with high baseload
Annual End Use Consumption Ranges (kwh) Electricity Use LOW MID HIGH Baseload 2250 5000 8000 Domestic Hot Water Hot water use, 1-3 people 2500 4500 6000 Hot water use, 3-6 people 4000 6000 8000 Cooling Cooling load (total household) 750 1500 2500 Heating Electric heat load 2000 5000 8500
Lighting Step Two: Assess Baseload Opportunities Refrigeration Electric Dryer Waterbed Heaters Other Water Heating
What does Baseload Mean? Baseload use: Energy used to power things that are used year round Seasonal use: Energy used to power the heating and cooling systems Both vary throughout the year, but usually not significantly: + or 10%
What does my bill pay for?
Why address Baseload? Everyone is a baseload client, and electricity use is climbing. PA Residential Energy Use, 1960-2006 (Fortney, 2007)
Consumer s s Dilemma (Carroll, Apprise; O Brien, O EIA)
Reasons to Address Baseload Sometimes, reducing electric baseload can guarantee better savings than measures geared toward reducing the cost of heating and/or cooling: Savings Follows Use Plug loads are increasing The number of occupants impacts use, which impacts savings potential Client choices can make a 10 to 1 difference in total use. Changing operating behaviors, such as control settings, fewer hours of use, more efficient appliances, can make a big difference.
What is the savings potential? 2.5% to 5% for recent years, First Energy Up to 37% savings in the beginning years due to replacing very old refrigerators 16% of PA households have baseload electric bills greater than $1,500 (Carroll, 2007)
Why look at use? Total electricity use relates directly to potential electricity savings. (Apprise, 2006)
What are the allowable baseload measures? Refrigerator and freezer replacement Compact fluorescent light bulbs to replace incandescent bulbs and halogen fixtures Clothes dryer venting improvements Replace unsafe or leaking water heaters Install hot water saving measures Other cost effective opportunities (that will pay for themselves in energy savings in 7 years or less) REMEMBER: the cost of Baseload measures doesn t come out of the Allowance
Baseload Auditing as a Customer Education Opportunity Before the visit, review the electrical billing information Complete the Seasonal Allowance Spreadsheet Assess the opportunity be familiar with what is considered low use and what is considered high use When in the home, start with the occupant Ask the client questions and listen Develop Action Steps for the client and for your agency or company and follow through
Some reasons for high baseload use Hot water leaks Extra lighting Freezers or multiple refrigerators Medical equipment Portable appliances Broken appliances Heavy-duty battery chargers Ventilation equipment Pressure tank problems Waterbed heaters Failing motors Dehumidifiers set too high Forgotten heaters in crawl spaces Ice makers running without water hookup Washers always using hot water Many occupants Air handler fans on 24/7 Wall warts
Top Reasons for High Baseload Use from a Recent Study High number of occupants Hot water leaks in pipes, fixtures or water heater Long shower time Very inefficient refrigerators/freezers Multiple refrigerators/freezers 24 hour a day lighting Other mechanical, appliance or electronics issues: computers on 24/7; air handlers on ; ceiling fans on 24/7
High Number of Occupants Baseload Summer Winter 80,000 70,000 60,000 Annual kwh 50,000 40,000 30,000 20,000 10,000 0 Average
Hot Water Problems Baseload Summer Winter 40,000 35,000 30,000 Annual kwh 25,000 20,000 15,000 10,000 5,000 0 Average
Competing Appliances Baseload Summer Winter 50,000 45,000 40,000 35,000 Annual kwh 30,000 25,000 20,000 15,000 10,000 5,000 0 Average
24 Hour Lighting Baseload Summer Winter 60,000 50,000 Annual kwh 40,000 30,000 20,000 10,000 0 Average
Lifestyle Choices Baseload Summer Winter 35,000 30,000 25,000 Annual kwh 20,000 15,000 10,000 5,000 0 Average
Lighting Assessment
Lighting Efficiency
Efficient Lighting CFLs typically use 1/4 to 1/3 the energy of an incandescent bulb for the same amount of light.
3 Valuable Pieces of Information Lumens, Watts, Life
WARM Lighting Standards Pick reliable CFL s with the highest lumens for the lowest wattage (highest efficacy). Install CFL s in fixtures used an average of 2 or more hours daily. Replace outdoor bulbs with CFL s made for outdoor use. Carry a variety of CFL bulbs there is a CFL available for ALL applications (except a bright, dimmable, candlebased). Replace halogen fixtures with CFL fixtures if they are used 2 hours or more a day. Maximum: 12 per home.
Ceiling Cookers
CFL Purchasing Tips Look for Energy Star logo. Some CFL s are dimmable. Select the best shape for the fixture. Today s CFL s are smaller and thinner. Some have less mercury than others. CFL s are available in cool and warm temperature colors. Read the product spec sheet to be sure the CFL is suitable for the fixture. Know the difference between wattage and lumens.
CFL Savings Calculation Watts saved x hrs. used/day x days per month 1,000 to convert to kwh x cents per kwh = Savings from replacing the bulb Example: 75 watts saved (changed a 100 watt bulb to a 25 watt bulb) x 10 hours per day = 750 watts saved per day 750 watts saved per day x 30 days = 22,500 1,000 = 22.5 kwh saved per month, or $2.14 saved / mo. for changing out this one bulb (at 9.5 cents per kwh)
Refrigerator Assessment
How Do They Work?
Refrigerator History Older refrigerators used an average of 1250 kwh/year and cost $106 to operate for the year. Newer refrigerators use an average of 430 kwh/year and cost $40 to operate for the year. Use increases with age.
WARM Refrigerator Testing Requirements Test all units 5 years old or older. If you can t test the unit, use a database to determine use. WARM only requires a one hour test, but test as long as possible. 2-hour tests give good results. Take temperatures of the room and the inside of the fresh food and freezer compartments. Adjust the test results for ambient air temperature.
Using the Brultech
Refrigerator Testing Tips If the kw reading doesn t change when you open the door the light switch is broken. The usual running range is 100-400 Watts. Newer refrigerators draw about 150 Watts. Watch for defrost periods (400 Watts). If you unplug a refrigerator when the compressor is running, wait 8 minutes before plugging it back in. Unplug a refrigerator to clean the coils.
More Refrigerator Testing Tips Follow the instructions that came with your meter. If the meter shows energy use when the unit is not running, it has an anti-sweat heater (energy saver switch). AHAM recommends fresh food compartment should be at 36-40º F. The freezer should be at 0-5º F., so adjust temperature if necessary AFTER testing. Place the thermometer in the middle of the fresh food compartment and then in the center of the freezer compartment. A non-contact thermometer is not appropriate for testing the temperatures inside refrigerators. Use standard or digital thermometers for this purpose.
Watch Out for Defrost Cycles! (Knoll, 2006)
On or Off?
Older Refrigerator Console
Fool Proof Testing
Monitoring Field Reference (NJ Comfort Partners Program) Best Practice: Adjust for: Room temperature Monitoring time of day
Ambient Air Temperature Adjustment Factor Ambient Air Temperature Immediately Surrounding the Refrigerator During Testing 5 F (or more) hotter than average Average annual temperature for room* 5 F (or more) cooler than average 0.88 factor 1.00 factor 1.13 factor *If average temperature not known by customer, use 70 F
Determining Refrigerator Age
It is OK to replace the refrigerator if It meets the minimum use threshold to replace by metering. If the unit cannot be metered, It meets the minimum use threshold to replace by using a refrigerator database. Only one new refrigerator per household. Try to trade multiple units for one new unit. Show the customer the product spec sheets. If trading two for one, even if the second unit is a freezer, a larger new one is allowed Describe differences between the sizes of the fresh food and freezer compartments of the new unit with the old unit WARM Participants who received a new refrigerator saved considerably more (many more than double) than those who didn t. Inefficient units that cannot be replaced should be addressed through customer education
Freezer Testing Follow refrigerator testing guidelines with these exceptions: Test freezers for a minimum of 2 hours Replace only when the unit is a necessity Freezers tend to use the same amount of electricity as a comparable size refrigerator.
Refrigerator Minimum Use Thresholds Existing Size (cu. ft.) Minimum Threshold for Replacement kwh at 1 hr. Minimum Threshold for Replacement kwh at 2 hr. Minimum kwh/year of Existing Unit kwh/yr of New Unit 15 or less.116 kwh/hr At least.232 1,223 376 16-19.145 kwh/hr At least.290 1,555 391 (17 cu. ft.) 407 (18 cu. ft.) 20-24.152 kwh/hr At least.304 1,609 432 (21 cu. ft.) 448 (22 cu. ft) 572 (s.b.s 22 cu. ft) 25 or greater.221 kwh/hr At least.442 2,381 Use the 21 or 22 cu.ft. model
Freezer Replacement Criteria Existing Freezer Type Existing Freezer Size (c.f.) If Existing One-Hour Use is Greater Than And New Freezer Cost is Less Than Then Chest Less than 8.0742 kwh $280 Replace existing unit Chest 8.1 to 12.9.0970 kwh $350 Replace existing unit Chest 13 to 15.5.1142 kwh $400 Replace existing unit Chest 15.6 & larger.1712 kwh $560 Replace existing unit Upright Less than 10.0856 kwh $360 Replace existing unit Upright 10.1 to 12.9.1142 kwh $400 Replace existing unit Upright 13 to 15.5.1370 kwh $500 Replace existing unit Upright 15.6 & larger.1712 kwh $600 Replace existing unit
Databases Energy Star Database, Refrigerator Retirement Savings Calculator, www.energystar.gov CEC Database found on the waptac website Kouba-Cavallo Database found on koubacavallo.com AHAM Database found on the NEAT audit
Energy Star Database www.energystar.gov
WAP www.waptac.org
Refrigerator Dating Chart The Refrigerator Tool Kit on www.waptac.org includes a useful chart to help Auditors determine the manufactured date of refrigerators using serial or model numbers. This chart stops with 1992 models. Some newer models list the manufacturing date on the nameplate.
Home Energy www.kouba-cavallo.com
Database Problems Some are missing information for some years. An incorrect digit on the model number can result in a 50% difference in consumption you may qualify a unit that shouldn t be replaced or you may ignore a unit that ought to be replaced.
Annual Refrigerator Consumption Calculation Use these formulas to figure annual cost to run the unit for customer education: kwh / hr x 8760 hr / yr = kwh / yr kwh / yr x 0.095 / kwh = annual cost to run
New Refrigerator FAQs New units make strange noises. The freezer door pops open when the refrigerator door is closed. New refrigerators for longer periods of time (at a lower wattage). New units must be placed in spaces that stay warmer than 60º F.
Clothes Dryers
Clothes Dryer Facts Electric dryer elements use 4,500 5,500 Watts Average life is 18 years 1 gallon of water can be dried out per hour A normal load uses 6 kwh and costs 57 cents Electric dryers cost about 1 cent / minute to use
WARM Dryer Guidelines If it takes longer than 60 min. to dry a load, the dryer or the venting may need repairs. If venting, use metal smooth wall ducting, 25 ft. or less. No screws: Only tape and clamps Vent to the outside using the shortest and straightest route possible and secure hanging ducting with straps. Dryer warranties may require straight, rigid 6 ft. ducting. Flex duct is cheap and easy to install, but may cause problems. Consider a clothesline installation.
Customer Education Reducing Dryer Costs Locate the dryer in a heated space. Make sure the dryer is vented properly. Clean out the outside exhaust vent cover and replace if it doesn t close when the dryer is off. Clean the lint filter after every use. Dry full loads but don t overfill. Dry two or more loads in a row. Dry clothes outside when possible.
Dryer Venting Unvented dryers can cause these problems: Combustion gasses can cause serious health problems when a gas dryer exhausts into the house. Lint and moisture can cause mold to grow. Moist air will cause a dehumidifier to run more. The dryer has to work harder to dry clothes. Chemicals in dryer sheets contribute to indoor air pollution. Vented electric dryers use 277 to 455 fewer kwh/yr than unvented.
Dryer Venting Bottom line: Dryers should be vented outside if they are used to dry 5 or more loads per week and the dryer takes at least 60 minutes per load.
Water Heating
Hot Water Use
Electric Water Heater Parts
WARM Program Domestic Hot Water Saving Measures New water heaters Health and safety measures Temperature reduction Fix hot water leaks Timer (if on the RT rate) GFX Education
Safety
WARM Water Heater Replacement Standards Electric water heaters may be replaced if: It is leaking, or It is rusted, or It has one or more bad elements, or The tank s R value is 8 or lower
New Water Heaters The new water heater must: Have a minimum EF of.90 Have at least 2 of foam insulation Have built-in heat traps Have a 9 year (or higher) warranty Be sized correctly
Water Heater Guide www.waptac.org/sp.asp?mc=techaids_waterheater
Saving Hot Water with Efficient Clothes Washers
More on Washers
Other Baseload Use WARM Standards Identify other causes high baseload use. Inform the customer of your discovery. Determine savings to investment ratio, or simple cost effectiveness (will the installation save more in 7 years than it will cost?) Educate the customer about ways they can reduce their baseload by reducing hours the item is on; changing control settings; and replacing inefficient appliances that are not typically part of WARM.
Computers, Monitors & Printers
Computers, Monitors & Printers By 2001, 56 % of U.S. households had personal computers. Now over 70% Is it better to leave it on or turn it off? Printers use 10 W in sleep mode and up to 300 W when working. Computer use ranges from 15 W in sleep mode and up to 200 W when working. Monitors range from 8 W to 20 Watts when working.
Computers, Monitors & Printers DOE: Turn the computer, monitor and printer off if they won t be used for two hours or more.
Consumer Electronics
Consumer Electronics Energy Star rated TV s use about 25% less energy. New TV s use about 100 to 300 watts. Digital cable boxes use up to 50 watts when off. Design, not size, determines wattage.
Standby Power What is standby power? Standby power amounts to 5% of electricity use in the typical home. Buying Energy Star rated products can save 50% of standby energy use.
Standby Consumption Ranges EPA estimates that 75% of the electricity used during the lifetime of a typical electronic device is consumed while the unit is turned off!
Standby Loads and Lifestyle Plug-ins, otherwise known as wall warts, (cell phone chargers, laptop power bricks) and appliances (microwaves, VCR s, stereos and home computers) constantly draw wattage, even when off. If it has a light, display, transformer, charger, remote control device, it is using electricity even when it is not on. After a while they can add up to as big a load factor as a refrigerator.
Eliminate Phantom Loads Unplug appliances/electronics when not in use. Plug all appliances into power or smart strips and power down the strip when not in use. Plug appliances into switched outlets and turn the switch off when not in use. Look for the Energy Star label when purchasing new appliances/electronics.
Dehumidifiers In WARM, dehumidifiers are typically not replaced. Inefficient dehumidifiers can be addressed through customer education and/or replacement with a simple payback calculation. Inefficient or improperly set dehumidifiers can contribute to baseload use. Appropriate use of a dehumidifier is a summer seasonal use. Use a dehumidifier to bring humidity level within a comfort zone (45 65% RH).
Dehumidifiers How to use a dehumidifier efficiently: Eliminate the cause of moisture when possible. Use the right size unit. Use a dehumidifier with a humidistat. Set the dehumidifier to the correct relative humidity. Empty the bucket before it s full or drain into a sink or drain. Keep sources of water away from the unit. Close windows and doors to the space. Locate the unit so that air can move around it. Don t use a dehumidifier with air conditioning. If the air temperature drops below 65º F, coils can frost up. Turn off the unit and let it defrost.
Waterbed Heaters Waterbeds are addressed in WARM if the waterbed has an inefficient heater by replacing waterbeds with standard mattresses, eliminating the heater, OR through customer education. Sales peaked in 1988 and have since declined. In the Mid 1990 s 15-20% of U.S. households have at least one waterbed. Waterbed heaters have changed in the past 7 or 8 years to be more efficient.
Waterbed Heaters Energy Use Most waterbed heaters use between 150 and 300 watts. Average older waterbed heaters use about 125 kwh and cost about $11 per month. Newer waterbed heaters use about 80 kwh and cost about $7 per month. Replacing waterbed mattresses with foam mattresses saves about 1,300 kwh annually ($111). Covering an existing waterbed mattress with a foam mattress pad saves about 800kWh annually ($68).
Waterbed Heaters Waterbed Heater Pad Internals 300 Watt design Solid state 300 Watt design
Sump Pumps, Water Pumps, Well Pumps, Pool Pumps, Pressure Tanks Problems with any of the above can cause high baseload use. WARM can address pump issues. Leaks can cause pumps to work longer. If you hear a pump kick on and off in quick succession, there is likely a problem. Find leaks and fix them. Use timers to control pool pumps. Energy efficient pumps can save 36% of operating cost.
Pause here Resume after Scott completes the Seasonal Allowance Spreadsheet and Rate Calculator demonstration
Analysis of Consumption IF.. the baseload, and/or cooling, and/or heating use is LOW, THEN focus on the category of use that is in the MID or HIGH range. the baseload use (with or without water heating included) is in the MID or HIGH range, there is likely waste or problems with one or more appliances, SO be sure to replace incandescent bulbs with CFL s, check all the refrigeration units and replace inefficient units, and do a good job educating the customer about hot water use, and turning off electronics and other plug loads.
Analysis continued the cooling use is in the MID or HIGH range, consider replacement of AC units, consider window film and white roof coating (or attic insulation), THEN check for duct leakage outside the thermal boundary, and do a good job educating about how to follow low-energy cooling strategies. the heating use is in the MID or HIGH range, CONSIDER air sealing and insulation, thermostat change outs, duct sealing if outside the thermal boundary, and do a good job educating about thermostat settings. Remember: This is just a guide. You won t really know what is going on in the home to determine the energy saving opportunities until you get into the home.
Step Three: Assess Cooling Use Check the Summer Seasonal Use on the Seasonal Allowance Spreadsheet. If the use is 2,000 kwh or more, and that use is due to AC use, consider installing measures that reduce cooling load.
WARM Cooling Measures Highly reflective window film White, reflective roof coating Room AC replacement AC tune up/cleaning Central AC or heat pump replacement Duct sealing and insulation Attic insulation and air sealing
How Do Our Homes Overheat?
Window Film Energy savings result from rejecting solar heat, the primary reason for home s overheating and therefore AC use Are there any windows on the west, south and maybe east that are not shaded in the summer during the hours of 9 AM and 4 PM? Choose a film that meets the specification of:.40 or lower shading coefficient 1.0 or lower U value 65% or more total solar energy rejection
Why Do We Need AC?
Why White Roofs? This works on the principals of emissivity and reflectivity Emissivity: the total energy released by the object white roofs give up their heat quickly to the night sky Reflectivity: silver coatings reflect well but they do a poor job of releasing heat
White Elastomeric Roof Coat (Liz Robinson, ECA)
Cool Roofs Cool the Planet (Liz Robinson, ECA)
Room AC Units Is the EER on the existing room AC 6 or lower? If so, it can be replaced with an EER 10 or greater, but the Summer Seasonal Use (kwh) must be 2,000 or more to replace 1 unit, and 2,500 to replace 2 units, and 3,000 to replace 3 units.
Room AC Replacement
Size Correctly! A properly sized AC should run constantly on the hottest day of the year!
Central AC or Heat Pump Replacement Customers must have at least 3,000 kwh of summer seasonal use in order to qualify for central system replacement. Must get FirstEnergy approval. Clean and Tunes are encouraged first, when possible.
Duct Sealing and Insulation The WARM guidelines for sealing and insulating ducts are the same to reduce cooling load as they are to reduce heating load.
Attic Insulation and Air Sealing Follow the same WARM guidelines for insulating and air sealing the attic to reduce cooling load as you would to reduce heating load.
Combustion Safety Testing Combustion Safety Tests must be performed if: Conventionally vented combustion appliances exist and Air sealing is done to reduce cooling load or to reduce heating load
Final Step: Consumer Education Time for the Our Energy Savings Strategy form! Jerome will demonstrate how he does the steps described on the next slide.
Putting Costs on Current and More Efficient Behaviors Find the wattage of the appliance. Ask about use hours per day, week, month. Figure cost and tell customer (putting costs on behaviors). Figure cost of more efficient ways of doing the same thing and tell customer the differences. Let customer choose which way they want to operate the appliance or lights.