Summary

Advanced Design Rooftop Unit

Rooftop Unit: Advanced vs. Conventional

These retrofit units offer improved energy performance over typical existing "commercial" rooftop units by enhancing the performance of individual components and configurations, including fans, coils, filters, dampers, compressors, condensers, controls, and airflow path.

Synopsis:

The advanced design rooftop HVAC unit offers improved energy performance over the typical commercial rooftop unit (RTU) by enhancing the performance of individual components and configurations. Standard commercial rooftop HVAC units capture most of the market for this technology. The standard units do not compete in terms of energy efficiency, lifespan, or maintainability; however, they are significantly less expensive.

This technology can include a variety of features to improve the performance of rooftop HVAC units. The Advanced Rooftop Unit Product Definition Report identified 36 features related to the following areas: economizer section, fan and unit cooling efficiency, refrigerant type, fan and refrigeration control, thermostats and sensors, serviceability, and diagnostics and monitoring. Features in available products vary. Energy savings will be achieved in all HVAC applications, and will depend on how many enhancements are incorporated into the unit and on the application. It is difficult, therefore, to identify cost premium, energy savings, other benefits, and drawbacks. These values generally come from commercially available units that include a set of features, chief among them variable speed and demand-controlled ventilation (DCV).

An advanced design rooftop HVAC unit can cost two to three times as much as a standard commercial-quality rooftop HVAC unit, depending on which of the enhancements are included. Although these rooftop HVAC units are more expensive, their effective life should be longer than a standard commercial-quality rooftop HVAC unit.

RTUs are estimated to be used in 46% of all commercial buildings and serve about 69% of the cooled floor space in U.S. commercial buildings. A 2013 study by Pacific Northwest National Laboratory involved installing advanced controllers on 66 RTUs on eight different buildings involving retail, office space, food sales, and healthcare. Of the 66 RTUs, 17 were packaged heat pumps and the rest were packaged air conditioners with gas heat. The advanced controllers provided a reduction in normalized annual RTU energy consumption between 22% and 90%, with the average being 57% for all RTUs.

Energy Savings: 60%

Energy Savings Rating: Comprehensive Analysis What's this?

Level	Status	Description
1	Concept not validated	Claims of energy savings may not be credible due to lack of documentation or validation by unbiased experts.
2	Concept validated:	An unbiased expert has validated efficiency concepts through technical review and calculations based on engineering principles.
3	Limited assessment	An unbiased expert has measured technology characteristics and factors of energy use through one or more tests in typical applications with a clear baseline.
4	Extensive assessment	Additional testing in relevant applications and environments has increased knowledge of performance across a broad range of products, applications, and system conditions.
5	Comprehensive analysis	Results of lab and field tests have been used to develop methods for reliable prediction of performance across the range of intended applications.
6	Approved measure	Protocols for technology application are established and approved.

Simple Payback, New Construction (years): 11.0 What's this?

Simple Payback, Retrofit (years): 23.8 What's this?

Simple Payback is one tool used to estimate the cost-effectiveness of a proposed investment, such as the investment in an energy efficient technology. Simple payback indicates how many years it will take for the initial investment to "pay itself back." The basic formula for calculating a simple payback is:

Simple Payback = Incremental First Cost / Annual Savings

The Incremental Cost is determined by subtracting the Baseline First Cost from the Measure First Cost.

For New Construction, the Baseline First Cost is the cost to purchase the standard practice technology. The Measure First Cost is the cost of the alternative, more energy efficienct technology. Installation costs are not included, as it is assumed that installation costs are approximately the same for the Baseline and the Emerging Technology.

For Retrofit scenarios, the Baseline First Cost is $0, since the baseline scenario is to leave the existing equipment in place. The Emerging Technology First Cost is the Measure First Cost plus Installation Cost (the cost of the replacement technology, plus the labor cost to install it). Retrofit scenarios generally have a higher First Cost and longer Simple Paybacks than New Construction scenarios.

Simple Paybacks are called "simple" because they do not include details such as the time value of money or inflation, and often do not include operations and maintenance (O&M) costs or end-of-life disposal costs. However, they can still provide a powerful tool for a quick assessment of a proposed measure. These paybacks are rough estimates based upon best available data, and should be treated with caution. For major financial decisions, it is suggested that a full Lifecycle Cost Analysis be performed which includes the unique details of your situation.

The energy savings estimates are based upon an electric rate of $.09/kWh, and are calculated by comparing the range of estimated energy savings to the baseline energy use. For most technologies, this results in "Typical," "Fast" and "Slow" payback estimates, corresponding with the "Typical," "High" and "Low" estimates of energy savings, respectively.

Details

Advanced Design Rooftop Unit

Rooftop Unit: Advanced vs. Conventional

Item ID: 246

Sector: Commercial

Energy System: HVAC--Rooftop Units & Air Handling Units

Technical Advisory Group: 2010 HVAC TAG (#3)
Average TAG Rating: 3.5 out of 5
TAG Ranking Date: 06/29/2010
TAG Rating Commentary:

Determining a savings/rebate method for this is important.
"One of the criteria for choosing technologies, is whether there is equipment available off the shelf. I understand some manufacturers are offering some, but not all of these features."

Technical Advisory Group: 2015-1 Commercial HVAC TAG (#11)
Average TAG Rating: 3.7 out of 5
TAG Ranking Date: 03/10/2015
TAG Rating Commentary:

It would be helpful to get a list of qualified products (CEE may have this), as well as current cost information.
There's a solid basis in design, competitions, early adopters, etc. Let's do it!
Technology is being piloted now. Savings may vary. Will need trained field installlers, automated controls and monitoring; and need to overcome the landlord/tenant market barriers.
The key for persistent savings is the ongoing monitoring and control

Synopsis:

Baseline Example:

Baseline Description: Packaged Rooftop HVAC Meeting Code Efficiency
Baseline Energy Use: 10.5 kWh per year per square foot

Comments:

The 2009 Commercial Building Stock Assessment (CBSA) gives the actual electrical building Energy Use Index (EUI) for various types of heating and cooling systems (CBSA Table D-EA5). Office buildings with electric heating and cooling have an EUI of 20.1 kWh/sf/year. Office buildings with no electric heating or cooling use only 8.2 kWh/sf/year, indicating that the combined HVAC heating and cooling energy use is 11.9 kWh/sf/year. (For all commercial buildings, the corresponding values are 19.9 and 9.4 kWh/sf/year, respectively.) Because this technology can be applied to many types of non-office buildings, a baseline energy use of 10.5 kWh/sf/year is assumed (NEEA, 12/21/2009).

Manufacturer's Energy Savings Claims:

"Typical" Savings: 30%
Savings Range: From 10% to 70%

Comments:

The percentages above are from a manufacturer, Reznor, that went through the Air-Conditioning, Heating, & Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) testing. Values for the Rebel from Daiken McQuay are similar.

Transformative Wave estimates energy savings of 25% to 50% (TransformativeWave, 2015). Bes-Tech estimates energy savings of 40% to 60% and estimates peak demand reductions of 30% to 60% (Bes-Tech,2013).

Best Estimate of Energy Savings:

"Typical" Savings: 60%
Low and High Energy Savings: 24% to 90%
Energy Savings Reliability: 5 - Comprehensive Analysis

Comments:

Advanced RTUs can include various combinations of energy-saving features, so performance will vary. The studies cited below looked at commercially available RTUs with various equipment combinations, none of which likely included all of the options listed in the Detailed Description. Performance also varies with operation and climate. These values are, therefore, rough estimates of what future users may experience.

RTUs with DCV and economizer control features alone are found to save about 30% of energy use for most occupancies and locations. Energy savings of 60% are noted in a report by the Oregon Energy Office and the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA) (Stipe, P.E., 2013). BPA, in conjunction with Peninsula Power and Light, conducted an emerging technology field test on two 15-ton RTUs serving a small retailer. The measurement and verification (M&V) indicated a 45% reduction in total HVAC electrical energy use. A 2013 study by Pacific Northwest National Laboratory involved installation of advanced controllers on 66 RTUs on eight different buildings involving retail, office space, food sales, and healthcare. Of the 66 RTUs, 17 were packaged heat pumps and the rest were packaged air conditioners with gas heat. The advanced controllers provided a reduction in normalized annual RTU energy consumption between 22% and 90%, with the average being 57% for all RTUs (Wang, 2013). A demonstration project involving 35 RTUs with a combined 202.5 tons of cooling at the Lawrence Middle School and the Los Angeles Center for Enriched Studies (part of the Los Angeles Unified School District) showed 45% HVAC energy savings with Transformative Wave's Catalyst.

A California State Partnership for Energy Efficient Demonstration project found HVAC energy savings of 51% at a California State University Long Beach dance complex and 29% at a San Diego State University aquaplex (Grupp, 2013).

Omaha Public Power District tested Digi-RTU with 30 RTUs and found 52% kWh savings and better humidity control (Sunde, 2011).

Snohomish County PUD tested CATALYST at one facility and found 48% kWh savings.

HPAC Engineering Journal (Aug 1, 2011) published a case study about an Enerfit installation with electrical savings of 53%. Some of these savings came from air leakage repairs performed when the Enerfit was installed.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) will soon post a "Retail Energy Alliance" guide for retrofitting to VAV. An energy savings calculator for big box and grocery stores in 16 climate zones will show fan energy savings of 50% to 75%.

Energy Use of Emerging Technology:

4.2 kWh per square foot per year What's this?

Energy Use of an Emerging Technology is based upon the following algorithm.

Baseline Energy Use - (Baseline Energy Use * Best Estimate of Energy Savings (either Typical savings OR the high range of savings.))

Technical Potential:
Units: square foot
Potential number of units replaced by this technology: 306,109,650
Comments:

This technology applies to both new and retrofit applications. Estimates are based on preliminary updated numbers from the 2013 update to the CBSA using the estimates for 2014 (Ecotope, Inc., 2014). Using market shares from the CBSA (NEEA, 2009), the percentage of commercial space that is conditioned (85%) and served by packaged heating/DX cooling units (an estimate of RTUs, 35%) results in: 3,118,000,000 sf x 0.85 x 0.35 = 927,605,000 sf. For the purposes of estimating savings potential, we only consider electrically heated buildings, which account for approximately 30% of conditioned floor space (this is also the most cost-effective application): 927,605,000 x 0.3 = 278,281,500.

The CBSA estimates growth of approximately 1% in the commercial building stock over the next 20 years. To account for additions to the building stock, 10 years of growth was used to account for the potential, which is 10% of the existing housing stock. Using the market shares above results in: 3,118,000,000 x 0.1 x 0.85 x 0.35 x 0.3 =27,828,150.

Thus, the total potential = 278,281,500 + 27,828,150 = 306,109,650.

Regional Technical Potential:
1.93 TWh per year
220 aMW
What's this?

Regional Technical Potential of an Emerging Technology is calculated as follows:

Baseline Energy Use * Estimate of Energy Savings (either Typical savings OR the high range of savings) * Technical Potential (potential number of units replaced by the Emerging Technology)

First Cost:

Installed first cost per: square foot
Emerging Technology Unit Cost (Equipment Only): $12.50
Emerging Technology Installation Cost (Labor, Disposal, Etc.): $1.00
Baseline Technology Unit Cost (Equipment Only): $6.25

Comments:

A custom rooftop HVAC unit can cost two to three times as much as a commercial-quality rooftop HVAC unit, depending on which enhancements are included. Additional costs may result from higher-quality components, additional components and controls, and larger unit casings.

Assume that the installed cost of a standard RTU less than 20 tons is $2,500/ton and the advanced unit is $5,000/ton. Using 1 ton per 400 sf results in $6.25/sf for the standard unit and $12.50/sf for the advanced unit.

Cost Effectiveness:

Simple payback, new construction (years): 11.0

Simple payback, retrofit (years): 23.8

What's this?

Cost Effectiveness is calculated using baseline energy use, best estimate of typical energy savings, and first cost. It does not account for factors such as impacts on O&M costs (which could be significant if product life is greatly extended) or savings of non-electric fuels such as natural gas. Actual overall cost effectiveness could be significantly different based on these other factors.

Comments:

Use of this equipment can be quite cost effective, especially given the much longer service life. The actual cost-effectiveness will vary with the particular features chosen and the application. The Public Interest Energy Research Program estimated a 4.9 to 6.9 year simple payback for an advanced rooftop unit in new construction (PIER, 2007).

Detailed Description:

Provide a combination of optimized RTU controls and monitoring via a web interface. To provide electric savings, minimum requirements are: supply fan control with either a variable-frequency drive (VFD) or fan cycling control, upgraded economizer controls, and remote web control and monitoring. Minimum and desired features are detailed below. As you can see, when studies report incremental cost and energy savings from “advanced RTU controls,” exactly what that means can vary. However, the estimates provided reflect the most commonly adopted set of features.

Minimum Control Requirements:
-Supply fan control [variable speed drive (VSD) or cycling]
-Demand controlled ventilation
-Digital integrated economizer control
-Differential economizer high limit

Minimum Monitoring Requirements:
-Web-based setpoints and scheduling
-Time series point monitoring (trending)
-Monitored point threshold alerts

Desirable Control Options:
-Occupancy vent and temperature standby
-Night flush cooling
-Demand management or response
-Split DX coil flow control
-Compressor variable control
-Condenser fan variable control
-Optimum start with outdoor air temperature input

Desirable Monitoring Options:
-Fault detection and diagnostics
-Time-series energy monitoring
-Mode runtime
-RTU energy benchmarking (single unit)
-RTU energy benchmarking (multiple units)
-Demand response measurement and verification
-Dashboard presentation

Considerations:
For the addition of a VSD, the motor does not need to be replaced in most cases. A VSD addition works best for three-phase motors. Small RTUs (less than 7 tons) tend to have single-phase motors, and cycling is more likely to be successful for these fans. In all cases where the fan speed is managed or cycled, provisions to vary ventilation with fan speed are required. DCV provides the most successful approach.

Products are manufactured by Carrier/Bryant, Daikin/McQuay, Lennox, and Trane.

Standard Practice:

The packaged rooftop HVAC unit is the most common way to provide HVAC to commercial buildings in the marketplace today. This has been the case for several decades, so there is a large market for both new units and replacement units. Actual market penetration is unknown.

Typical commercial quality rooftop HVAC units are designed to meet minimum energy code requirements. The market is very competitive and cost-driven, and there is limited incentive to produce units that exceed minimum code requirements. Options for some high-efficiency components are available from a limited number of manufacturers.

Development Status:

High-efficiency components currently exist, and are typically used in custom-built air handling and air conditioning units. Engineers currently work directly with custom unit manufacturers to design and specify high-efficiency units for projects with aggressive energy conservation goals. This equipment is more expensive, not only because it is higher quality, but because it is designed and manufactured in a "one-off" manner. If the market for higher efficiency units was broadened, manufacturing could become more efficient and costs would drop accordingly.

There is the Rebel (Daikin McQuay, 2012), from Daikin McQuay that has many of these features and that has gone through AHRI testing. The Rebel is 10-70% more efficient than required by code, depending on size. The Rebel is available in 3-15 ton sizes (Daikin McQuay, 2012).

Non-Energy Benefits:

Variable-speed operation is generally quieter than constant-speed equipment and improves equipment life. Earlier detection of equipment anomalies can prompt maintenance adjustments rather than more expensive equipment failures.

End User Drawbacks:

The greatest barrier to implementation is the initial cost. With financial incentives and volume production, these rooftop HVAC units could become more cost effective.

This equipment will weigh more so may require a structural analysis of the building, adding cost.

Operations and Maintenance Costs:

Comments:

Given the 'soft-start' feature of the compressor and fans, it is logical to expect this equipment to last longer, as has been the case with other HVAC systems that have these features.

Effective Life:

Anticipated Lifespan of Emerging Technology: 30 years

Comments:

If maintained well, the effective life of a custom rooftop HVAC unit is at least twice as long as a commercial quality rooftop HVAC unit, up to thirty years or more. Additional lifespan results from higher quality components and greater maintainability.

Competing Technologies:

Standard commercial rooftop HVAC units capture most of the market for this technology. The standard units do not compete in terms of energy efficiency, lifespan, or maintainability; however, they are significantly less expensive. High-end institutional buildings often have custom air handling units of similar technology housed within the building, coupled to chillers and boilers.

For a retrofit application, using the CATALYST Efficiency Enhancing Controller by Transformative Wave Technologies as an add-on to existing equipment may be more cost-effective than replacing the unit with a new advanced design RTU (See E3TNW #338 Advanced Rooftop Unit Controls (ARC) Retrofit).

Reference and Citations:

Srinivas Katipamula, et al., 06/17/2013. Advanced RTU Campaign Webinar
U.S. Department of Energy, Better Buildings Alliance
Special Notes: A Better Buildings Alliance webinar presentation

McQuay, 2012. Rebel Product Summary
Daikin McQuay

McQuay, 2011. Rebel Provides Quick Payback with World Class Energy Savings and Unbeatable Part-Load Efficiencies!
Daikin McQuay

NBI, 2012. Rooftop Unit Savings Research Project
New Buildings Institute
Special Notes: Website of advocate organization.

AAON, 2013. www.aaon.com
AAON Heating and Cooling Products
Special Notes: AAON is a reputable manufacturer

Haakon , 2009. haakon.com/
Haakon Industries

Huntair, 2013. huntair.com
Huntair, A CES Group Brand

Mammoth, 2013. mammoth-inc.com
Mammoth, a Nortek Air Solutions Brand

DOE EERE, 2012. High Performance Rooftop Unit Specification
U.S. Department of Energy, Better Buildings

PNNL, 2013. Rooftop Unit Comparison Calculator
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

PIER, 09/13/2005. Advanced Automated HVAC Fault Detection and Diagnostics Commercialization Program - ARTU Product Definition Report
California Energy Commission, Public Interest Energy Research Program

Mark Hancock, et. al., 2013. Advanced Rooftop HVAC Unit Controls Pilot
Minnesota Center for Energy and Environment

NBI, 09/08/2011. Final Rooftop Unit Working Group Phase 4 Recommendations
New Buildings Institute

CEC, 10/01/2003. Advanced Variable Air Volume System Design Guide
California Energy Commission

PIER, 08/28/2007. Advanced Automated HVAC Fault Detection and Diagnostics Commercialization Program - ARTU Cost Benefit Analysis
California Energy Commission, Public Interest Energy Research

ACCA, 2010. HVAC Quality Installation Specification: Residential and Commercial Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Applications
Air Conditioning Contractors of America

Coolerado, 08/13/2009. Coolerado Wins UC Davis Western Cooling Challenge
Coolerado

DOE EERE, 2012. High Performance Rooftop Unit Challenge
U.S. Department of Energy, Better Buildings

DOE EERE, 2012. High Performance Rooftop Unit Specification
U.S. Department of Energy, Better Buildings

New Building Institute, 11/21/2013. Variable Rate Rooftop Unit Test (VRTUT) Report
Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance

CADMUS, 12/21/2009. Northwest Commercial Building Stock Assessment (CBSA): Final Report
Prepared by the CADMUS Group for the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance

AHRI, 09/01/2009. Advanced Rooftop Unit Concept AHRI Initial Feedback
Air-Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Institute

Mark Cherniack, 09/26/2007. Advanced Rooftop Unit (ARTU): CEE Initiative Concept
CEE Industry Partners Meeting

Jay Stein, 04/16/2014. The Most Promising Emerging Technologies for the C&I Sector
E Source

xx, 09/01/2015. xx
xx

Rank & Scores

Advanced Design Rooftop Unit

2015-1 Commercial HVAC TAG (#11)

Technical Advisory Group: 2015-1 Commercial HVAC TAG (#11)
TAG Ranking: 4 out of 29
Average TAG Rating: 3.7 out of 5
TAG Ranking Date: 03/10/2015
TAG Rating Commentary:

It would be helpful to get a list of qualified products (CEE may have this), as well as current cost information.
There's a solid basis in design, competitions, early adopters, etc. Let's do it!
Technology is being piloted now. Savings may vary. Will need trained field installlers, automated controls and monitoring; and need to overcome the landlord/tenant market barriers.
The key for persistent savings is the ongoing monitoring and control

2010 HVAC TAG (#3)

Technical Advisory Group: 2010 HVAC TAG (#3)
TAG Ranking: 4 out of 36
Average TAG Rating: 3.5 out of 5
TAG Ranking Date: 06/29/2010
TAG Rating Commentary:

Determining a savings/rebate method for this is important.
"One of the criteria for choosing technologies, is whether there is equipment available off the shelf. I understand some manufacturers are offering some, but not all of these features."

Technical Score Details

TAG Technical Score: 2.6 out of 5

How significant and reliable are the energy savings?
Energy Savings Score: 3.0 Comments:
Aug 2010 Comments: 1. It's much better than code minimum. 2. When it is all said and done, I would expect savings in 10 to 15% without knowing the bundle of enhancements. 3. Small per unit savings, but lots of units 4. "All of the enhanced features sound like energy savers; however, many seem like the savings would be marginal, and some could be more sensitive than the standard RTU to maintenance practices. Personal opinion: there are some things the customer can do through operational practices and load reduction that would yield significantly more savings than the enhancements, and likely much more cost effective. Conversely, there are many things the customer can do to defeat or counteract any savings achieved through enhanced features." 5. Depends on the technology applied. We monitored a Des Champs Oasis system that rarely needed to run its compressors. How great are the non-energy advantages for adopting this technology?
Non-Energy Benefits Score: 2.9
Comments:
Aug 2010 Comments: 1. It's much more efficient than code minimum. 2. "This difficult to say without analysis. Many the proposed enhancement have small individual benefits. Variable speed fans, DDC, and heat recovery appear to be most promising enhancements. A disadvantage could be increased complexity of system." 3. There may be a few non-energy benefits, like fault diagnostics, but there may also be higher maintenance costs. 4. Energy savings appears to be main benefit. My have reduced noise. 5. Units are being tested under the WCEC cooling challenge. How ready are product and provider to scale up for widespread use in the Pacific Northwest?
Technology Readiness Score: 3.1
Comments:
Aug 2010 Comments: 1. It's being supplied now, using custom unit manufacturers and design engineers. 2. While there are a few options available now; a high end regularly stocked ARTU is not so available. Need a golden carrot contest perhaps. 3. Primarily an integration effort, Depends on enhancements and if goal for products to be "non-custom" designs. Insulating and tightening boxes might be longer than 18 months on mass produced products. Adding variable speed fans might be ready in less than 18 months on mass produced products. 4. Some providers are ready now, but it will take time for general market movement. 5. There are at least two manufacturers of high performance RTU's. More are likely to be introduced in the US by companies like Seeley International. How easy is it to change to the proposed technology?
Ease of Adoption Score: 2.1
Comments:
Aug 2010 Comments: 1. Would be difficult to convey without a national standard unless BPA can come up with a presciptive spec and some independent research into savings in our climates for various application types. 2. Some of the features are quite complex, others are simple to understand. 3. "Understanding and quantifying the benefits of fault detection is beyond some. The current presentation covered alot of items; would need to select and simplify to get to the core of a package that could be recommended and get manufacturer support." 4. Enhancements would not be expected to change ease or difficulty of use for the consumer. Some of the technologies might be difficult to understand for a consumer. 5. Most are simple concepts, but "improved duct connections" are difficult to specify, install and inspect. 6. Some of the features mentioned may require more maintenance and controls expertise in order to continue efficient operation. E.g. enhanced control sequences would require more controls expertise than the standard RTU. 7. Depends on the technology being applied. Evaporative systems will require routine maintenance. Considering all costs and all benefits, how good a purchase is this technology for the owner?
Value Score: 1.7
Comments:
Aug 2010 Comments: 1. Assuming new construction or investment at time of replacement for other purposes. 2. The controls portions pay back faster, and some items like evaporative assist condensers have long paybacks in PNW. FDD is more of a persistence technology that maintains savings rather than creates them. 3. I would expect the increased cost to offset benefits. Could be as long 10 years at first. 4. Hard to know without product or costs 5. "Not clear. One would assume that manufacturers have already incorporated the most cost effective enhancements. Therefore, these enhanced features are likely to be less cost effective. However, due to the uniqueness of the Northwest climate, there may be some features that are more practical here than elsewhere in the country." 6. Depending on system design, building loads, etc.

Completed:
9/21/2010 4:21:37 PM
Last Edited:
7/29/2011 11:12:24 AM

Market Potential

Advanced Design Rooftop Unit

Last Edited:

11/21/2013 1:57:48 PM by AngelaP

Market Segment:

See the workbook called “ARTU Market Potential 5-11-11.” Details of the applicable market segments are on tab “AdvncRoofHVAC MrktPot.”

Regional Fit:

The packaged rooftop HVAC unit is the most common way to provide HVAC to commercial buildings in the Pacific Northwest marketplace today. This has been the case for several decades or more, so there is a large market for both new units and replacement units. The Advanced Design Rooftop HVAC Unit described here can meet these needs while enhancing the building’s HVAC energy efficiency.

Zones:

Heating Zone 1, Heating Zone 2, Heating Zone 3, Cooling Zone 1, Cooling Zone 2, Cooling Zone 3

Performance Trajectory:

High efficiency components currently exist, and are typically used in custom-built air handling and air conditioning units. Engineers currently work directly with custom unit manufacturers to design and specify high efficiency units for projects with aggressive energy conservation goals. So the technology is mature. What is not as developed is the market for these more efficient and more expensive units; at this time, they are neither standard nor common.

Product Supply and Installation Risk:

There is no foreseeable product risk.

Technical Dominance:

Once this advanced design rooftop HVAC technology becomes a standard offering from manufacturers, there is every reason to believe that the equipment will improve as time goes on. We know of no other technology that seems poised to take over this market.

Market Channels:

The market channels will be the building owners working with engineers, architects and contractors.

Regulatory Issues:

Existing code-required minimum efficiencies will play a role in evaluating the requirements for equipment to be deemed accepted for incentives.

Other risks and barriers:

The greatest barrier to implementing this advanced design rooftop HVAC technology is its initial cost. With financial incentives, this technology could become more cost effective.

Basis of Savings:

With so many possible variations in what can be included as part of an Advanced Design Rooftop HVAC Unit, coming up with a basis of savings could become complicated. Perhaps the cleanest method for specifying what would be deemed approved for incentives would be to specify that qualified units must exceed the applicable energy code requirements by a certain percentage: 30% is achievable. An AAON Advanced Design Rooftop HVAC Unit was installed at Naval Station Everett in 2009 that exceeded ASHRAE minimum efficiency requirements by over 30%.

Evaluation Plan:

Since there is not place for comments, I will put this here. This is from the draft of the Detailed Info form that should go in the Target Customer field that should be in the new Market Potential form:Institutional building owners such as hospitals and universities sometimes apply this technology to their buildings. This technology is also favored by corporate owners who use lifecycle cost analysis in making their purchasing decisions.

Completed:

11/21/2013 1:57:48 PM by Angela Phillips