1 Seattle City Light Multifamily Residential Sector Background and Current Programs February 2013
2 Seattle City Light has a long history of successful conservation programs in the multifamily sector, both for existing buildings (including low income) and new construction. Programs have adjusted over time in response to program experience, new technologies and building codes. Studies are under way to quantitatively assess the state of the existing multifamily building stock to understand remaining barriers to further conservation investment, and to review available conservation measures and technologies. Multifamily
3 Sector Basics Multifamily – residential building with 5 or more units Percentage of residential customers 38% (136,800 of 360,000 residential accounts) Electric Space Heat 85% Electric Water Heat 76%
4 Past Program Accomplishments City Light has had a multifamily weatherization program since 1986, focusing on shell measures including windows and insulation. Grants/rebates have been provided for the entire period, and a zero-interest loan option was available from 1986 to Office of Housing or its predecessor has provided weatherization to income-qualified multifamily buildings since 1981; SCL funding for electric conservation. Original conservation potential studies identified approximately 63,000 units in multifamily electrically- heated buildings constructed before 1980 (pre-energy code). Since 1986, weatherization programs have served over 48,000 units (>75%) City Light: almost 30,000 Office of Housing: over 18,000
5 Current Programs City Light Multifamily retrofit program addressing shell measures and common area lighting Can serve more complex building systems (space and/or water heat) through custom measures Direct install: CFL installation and distribution of showerheads and aerators working with building owners New construction: go beyond code/standard practice Office of Housing Weatherization for income-qualified buildings Pilot ductless heat pump installations will support future impact evaluation