79334Letter from EOne enclosing VRF Program Review Report
11 passages
1. Modification of Baseline Definition EfficiencyOne will modify the requirements of the Custom Incentives New Construction service to redefine the baseline Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system operation for a proposed V...
AI summary EfficiencyOne proposes modifying the baseline definition for VRF heat pump systems under the Custom Incentives New Construction program, using ASHRAE 90.1-2013 and NECB-2015 standards. Key metrics include EER 9.3, COP 3.2, and part-load performance curves from NECB 8.4.4.21-E, operating between -10°C and -18°C.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Efficiency One (E1) and Heritage Gas have agreed to engage in a collaborative study of the program design and operation of the Custom Incentive Program related to Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) electric heat pump measure...
AI summary Efficiency One (E1) and Heritage Gas are collaborating to study the Custom Incentive Program for VRF electric heat pumps in MURBs with natural gas availability. The study aims to avoid increased electricity demand by aligning incentives with NECB and ASHRAE 90.1 standards. Findings suggest VRF systems are cost-effective but require upfront capital, recommending ASHRAE 90.1-2013 as the baseline for efficiency incentives.
1.1 – Methodology
AI summary The methodology section outlines the approach for the proceeding, referencing key entities and acronyms related to energy regulation in Nova Scotia. It includes organizations, programs, and legislation relevant to demand-side management and building energy codes.
2.2.1 – New Construction Programs All of the New Construction custom programs use the State or Province's building energy code to define baselines. E1 also uses the Nova Scotia Building Code (NECB-2015) for baseline definitions in its new...
AI summary Nova Scotia's New Construction programs use provincial building energy codes, including NECB-2015 since 2017. Jurisdictions reference NECB (Canada) and ASHRAE 90.1 (U.S.), with Ontario and British Columbia allowing both as performance paths. The text outlines baseline definitions for each energy standard.
HVAC SYSTEM SELECTION "(…) the reference building or space's HVAC system shall be modeled as being identical to that of the proposed building or space; otherwise, the reference building or space shall use through-thewall systems." NECB 201...
AI summary The text references NECB 2015, Table 8.4.4.7, which requires that the reference building's HVAC system must match the proposed building's system; if not, through-the-wall systems are to be used.
AUXILIARY HEATING "(…) the energy type of the heat pump's terminal heating or auxiliary heating shall be, for an air-source heat-pump, the energy type used for terminal or auxiliary heating of the thermal blocks of the proposed building (…...
AI summary NECB 2015 Clause 8.4.4.13 2) g) specifies that for VRF air-source heat pumps, the baseline HVAC system is mini-split or packaged-terminal heat pumps (PTHP) with auxiliary heating via electricity.
2.2.1.2 – ASHRAE 90.1 Energy Standard for Buildings ANSI/ASHRAE/IES Standard 90.1 – Energy Standard for Buildings except Low-Rise Residential Buildings is mostly used in the United States. It lists minimum equipment efficiency tables which...
AI summary The ASHRAE 90.1 standard outlines building energy efficiency requirements, with updates to VRF heat pump efficiencies since 2007. It includes compliance methods like the Energy Cost Budget and Performance Rating Method, which use metrics such as EER, IEER, and COP. For MURBs, PTHPs with auxiliary heating are referenced as baseline systems, aligning with NECB specifications.
2.3 – Summary The jurisdictional scan aimed at answering the following question: How is this issue addressed in other relevant jurisdictions? In summary, the relevant jurisdictions use the modeling specifications in their building energy c...
AI summary The jurisdictional scan reviewed how other jurisdictions address the issue using NECB or ASHRAE 90.1 building energy codes. Both codes use packaged terminal heat pumps with electric auxiliary heating as the baseline for VRF systems, with ASHRAE 90.1 also setting minimum efficiency standards for VRF systems in prescriptive programs.
Heating System Cost Comparison
AI summary The document presents a comparison of heating system costs, focusing on technologies like VRF, DMSHP, and PTHP. It references energy efficiency metrics (IEER) and building codes (NECB, IECC) to evaluate system performance. NSP is involved in the analysis, with considerations for MURBs and DSM programs.
3.1.1 – Building Energy Modeling First of all, it is important to note that the current study's energy modeling is not meant to be as precise as the hourly simulations that are required for a project's participation in most custom programs...
AI summary The study's building energy modeling uses a temperature-bin methodology for comparing five heating system types, avoiding the precision of hourly simulations. It focuses on HVAC systems, acknowledging limitations in comparing different simulation models due to varying assumptions. The approach is higher-level, not adhering to all NECB specifications, and aims to inform analysis rather than predict actual energy use.
3.1.2.3 – Standard Electric System The standard electric system is based on the current modeling specifications from NECB and ASHRAE 90.1, which is an air-source mini-split heat pumps with electric resistance auxiliary heating. Heat pump e...
AI summary The standard electric system uses NECB and ASHRAE 90.1 models, featuring air-source mini-split heat pumps with electric resistance heating. Efficiency standards from NECB-2015 apply to PTHP. The model uses professional judgment rather than all NECB specs, with HRVs for ventilation and gas-fired systems for hot water.