Energy Trust now offers a new standard incentive for air-cooled variable refrigerant flow (VRF) multi-split heat pumps for use in offices and K-12 schools.
This new equipment solution maximizes energy efficiency without presenting code issues on new installations or retrofits. The new standard incentive provides more options for customers who were previously limited to a custom project that included a fuel switch.
Trade allies can help customers further reduce energy costs by coupling VRF with other equipment. Paired with the required dedicated outside air system (DOAS) equipped with a heat recovery ventilator (HRV), outside air load conditions are offset. The HRV effectively reduces the load on the VRF system—an added benefit for air moving through the system. With a relatively long life of 15 to 20 years, VRFs are a good HVAC investment.
The standard incentive is outlined in the following table. Custom incentives may also be available if the standard incentive requirements cannot be met.
| Equipment | Requirements | Estimated Average Savings | Unit Incentive |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air-Cooled VRF— Multi-Split Heat Pump Non-ducted, Office | Limited to projects ≥ 25,000 sq ft Install dedicated outdoor air system (DOAS) with energy recovery meeting a 50% enthalpy recovery efficiency minimum DOAS air supplied at a neutral space temperature Each condenser unit has a rated cooling capacity greater than 5 tons with variable speed compressor operation and serves multiple ductless indoor evaporator units Meet or exceed 2016 CEE Tier 1 air-cooled VRF efficiency levels2 Majority of indoor fans are set to cycle rather than running continuously during occupied hours | 5.54 kWh/sq ft of area served by VRF | $1.00/sq ft of area served by VRF |
| Air-Cooled VRF— Multi-Split Heat Pump Ducted, Office | Limited to projects ≥ 25,000 sq ft Install DOAS with energy recovery meeting a 50% enthalpy recovery efficiency minimum DOAS air supplied at a neutral space temperature Each condenser unit has a rated cooling capacity greater than 5 tons with variable speed compressor operation and serves multiple ducted indoor evaporator units Meet or exceed 2016 CEE Tier 1 air-cooled VRF efficiency levels2 Majority of indoor fans are set to cycle rather than running continuously during occupied hours | 4.86 kWh/sq ft of area served by VRF | $1.00/sq ft of area served by VRF |
| Air-Cooled VRF— Multi-Split Heat Pump Non-ducted, School | Limited to projects ≥ 25,000 sq ft Install DOAS with energy recovery meeting a 50% enthalpy recovery efficiency minimum DOAS air supplied at a neutral space temperature Each condenser unit has a rated cooling capacity greater than 5 tons with variable speed compressor operation and serves multiple ductless indoor evaporator units Meet or exceed 2016 CEE Tier 1 air-cooled VRF efficiency levels2 Majority of fans are set to cycle rather than running continuously during occupied hours | 6.35 kWh/sq ft of area served by VRF | $1.00/sq ft of area served by VRF |
| Air-Cooled VRF— Multi-Split Heat Pump Ducted, School | Limited to projects ≥ 25,000 sq ft Install DOAS with energy recovery meeting a 50% enthalpy recovery efficiency minimum DOAS air supplied at a neutral space temperature Each condenser unit has a rated cooling capacity greater than 5 tons with variable speed compressor operation and serves multiple ducted indoor evaporator units Meet or exceed 2016 CEE Tier 1 air-cooled VRF efficiency levels2 Majority of fans are set to cycle rather than running continuously during occupied hours | 5.80 kWh/sq ft of area served by VRF | $1.00/sq ft of area served by VRF |
1The incentive is limited to offices and schools.
22016 CEE Tier 1 VRF Air Cooled efficiency levels listed on pages 4–5 of “Appendix A: 2016 Through 2018 Commercial Unitary Air Conditioning and
Heat Pumps Specification; Effective January 12, 2016 through December 31, 2018”
For more information, contact Aaron Lazelle, trade ally coordinator, at 541.460.1517.