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Weatherization Assistant 827 Field Implementation Issues

Weatherization Assistant 827 Field Implementation Issues. Martha Benewicz WI Division of Energy Services. NEAT & MHEA Umbrella. Weatherization Assistance 827 includes: NEAT: The National Energy Audit Tool MHEA: Mobile Home Energy Audit Most recent version released in September 2006.

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Weatherization Assistant 827 Field Implementation Issues

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  1. Weatherization Assistant 827Field Implementation Issues Martha Benewicz WI Division of Energy Services

  2. NEAT & MHEA Umbrella • Weatherization Assistance 827 includes: • NEAT: The National Energy Audit Tool • MHEA: Mobile Home Energy Audit • Most recent version released in September 2006

  3. No Free Lunch • Any energy audit will require a substantial commitment by State • National tools require customization • Or modeling protocols developed by state

  4. NEAT Users Here • Minnesota: a customized version of the audit • Time and money to get the product you want • Wisconsin: extensive protocols to make the audit reflect our program • We’d like to customize the audit to get the product we want

  5. WI Moved to NEAT 2003 • Started with Version 7.4.3 • Re-established our priority list, switching from WECC 4.0 • Required use: about 10% of our units • Boiler Replacement • Exterior perimeter insulation • Atypical buildings

  6. Problematic Applications • NEAT doesn’t model exterior foundation treatments • We had to develop our own calculations and use the Itemized cost tab. • Atypical buildings are also questionable • Example: Someone lives in a silo • Large foundation? One wall? Ratio of wall to attic is pretty weird • Or a storage tank

  7. And, Really We Shouldn’t Expect It To

  8. 2006 Moved to WX Assistant 8.27 • We liked the: • Administrative features • Could develop a work order using measures list or the audit • The inventory tracking looked promising • Expected to customize the audit to our reporting system • GIS mapping and photo feature

  9. We Really Liked • Improved lay-out and versatility • Model two efficiencies of heating systems • Attic insulation level • Expanded Itemized cost section • Allows management of alternative measures by including in the building’s SIR

  10. MHEA • We had decided to move to MHEA for mobile home weatherization • Looked like it would a DOE requirement • Implementation with the most recent version • Did not expect to be the first state using the this version

  11. A Talking Audit • We expected to link the audit with our reporting system • Minnesota worked with ORNL to do that • ORNL has been busy updating audit • We are waiting for the upgrade • We believe the cost-benefit of having the measures ordered reconciled to actual, expensed, and reported to be BIG

  12. Implementation Issues • Energy Auditor expertise & experience • 10% not enough to know and work well with the tool • Most auditors with previous computer audit experience had moved up • Starting from scratch

  13. More Implementation Issues • 10% of jobs was not enough for the state to make a big commitment • % of one staff persons time • % of a sub-contractor’s time • Training for all auditors once or twice a year

  14. Priority Lists vs. Energy Audit • WI’s Current status: • MHEA Audit used on all mobile homes. • NEAT used on >40% of jobs: • Boiler replacement • Exterior perimeter insulation • Repair costs>$500 • Health & Safety costs >$1,000

  15. Running More Audits • Using the audit more frequently • Better performance in the field • New understanding for Energy Auditors • Savings-to-Investment Ratio Concept • Beginning to see the relationship between health & safety and repair costs and SIR

  16. Validating Measures • Use NEAT to review and validate measures about once a year. • Universe of 80 jobs that reflect our housing stock and fuel use • Re-run with current audit version • Updated libraries and parameters • Costs and fuel use

  17. Things Change • Changes in five year period: • Fuel costs: 2003 2007 Oil: $.90 $2.37 LP: $.83 $1.76 NG: $8.12 $11.2 EL: $.075 $.108

  18. 2006 Analysis with NEAT

  19. 2006 Analysis with NEAT Net Present Value: NPV is the discounted total dollar value of lifetime energy savings minus the installation cost (as opposed to SIR, which is the discounted total dollar value of lifetime energy savings divided by the installation cost). Future savings are discounted to account for the time value of money.

  20. 6% 4% Attic insulation 10% Htg. system replacement 34% Wall insulation Air Sealing Refrigerator replacement 17% Other 29% Contributions to Aggregate Net Present Value NPV is the discounted total dollar value of lifetime energy savings minus the installation cost.

  21. Manageable Change • Weatherization Assistant 8: • Easy back-up of your database • Easy importation and linking to a new database • Older jobs can be re-run with the click of a button and the jobs are updated to new costs

  22. Easy to Monitor and Review • Easy to submit one audit—or all audits via e-mail • Once your auditors are trained • Allows state or consultant to review the audits • Quickly target problems for training and technical assistance • Or corrective action

  23. Improvements Needed: • We have a wish list of improvements we’d like to see • Hopefully we’ll see some of them in the new release • A new version of the Weatherization Assistant is pending • Major issue: Vista compatibility.

  24. Lockable Database • Allow administrating agency to lock the database: • Enabled/disabling measures, parameters, and costs cannot be locked • Local users now can disable or enable measures or otherwise change the set-up information

  25. Fuel Switching • Set-up the heating system page to allow for fuel switching • Save a lot of time and reduce the potential for error • WI protocol for transposing the preliminary audit results to a stand alone calculator to determine an SIR

  26. Foundation Modeling • Include a fail safe warning: • Do not allow buildings to be modeled without foundations • The current screen is confusing to auditors • Can’t tell what measures they are modeling when they enter the data

  27. Issues for Small Multis • Refrigerators: • Only allows one refrigerator to be modeled • Heating Systems • Evaluate only one one primary heating system • Buildings with multiple systems require finesse.

  28. MHEA Algorithms • Distribution sealing appears to routinely overestimate air sealing SIR. • At least warning notices when the data entered generates huge SIRs • Such as 50.0 or 89.5

  29. Implementing an Energy Audit • Don’t underestimate time and resources required to implement • We now incorporate on-line and on-site training and technical assistance • Realize that any “national” tool will need to be managed for your state or agency

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