1. Programs for Advancing High Efficiency Air Conditioning in Commercial and Industrial Buildings
Howard Geller
Workshop on Energy Efficiency Opportunities
While Phasing Down HFCs
Vienna, Austria
July 9-10, 2018

2. Southwest Energy Efficiency Project
Non-profit public interest organization, founded 2001
Advances policies and programs to stimulate greater energy efficiency in six western U.S. states
Includes states and cities with very hot, dry climates; e.g., metro Phoenix and Las Vegas

3. Overview of Electric Utility Energy Efficiency Programs in the Region
Utilities spending 2-5% of revenues on energy efficiency (DSM) programs
Customers are saving of 1-2% of electricity sales, per year
State policies driving these efforts:
Minimum energy savings standards or goals
Convenient cost recovery mechanisms
Decoupling of utility sales and revenues
Performance-based shareholder financial incentives

4. A Decade of Electric Utility EE Programs in the Southwest Region
Over 20 billion kWh/yr of electric savings as of 2017
Nine baseload power plants avoided (300 MW each)
~$7.5 billion in net economic benefits for households and businesses
80 million tons of avoided CO2 emissions during 4

5. Actions by Utilities to Advance More Efficient AC Systems in C&I Sector
Incentives for high efficiency AC equipment
Provided to customers and/or distributors
Incentives for evaporative cooling systems
Rebates on energy management and control systems; variable speed drives; WiFi- enabled smart thermostats
Training for HVAC companies and their technicians
Incentives for proper system sizing and installation

6. Examples High Efficiency AC Programs for C&I Customers in the Southwest
2017 Programs Only
Salt River Project (Phoenix, AZ)
790 projects
37 GWh/yr of savings; 550 GWh lifetime savings
Utility cost - $0.005 per kWh of lifetime savings
NV Energy (Las Vegas, NV)
Incentives for high efficiency AC systems, VFDs, control systems, and smart thermostats
28 GWh/yr of savings; 275 GWh lifetime savings

7. Examples High Efficiency AC Programs for C&I Customers in the Southwest
2017 Programs Only
Xcel Energy – CO (Denver, CO)
413 high efficiency AC projects
11.3 GWh/yr of savings; 28 MWh/yr on avg. per project (milder climate)
25,000 tons of high efficiency rooftop AC units sold through distributor incentives
Additional savings through incentives for energy management systems and fan/motor incentives

8. Option for Hot, Dry Climates: Indirect Evaporative Cooling

9. SWEEP: Dedicated to More Efficient Energy Use in the Southwest
Resources available online at:
Howard Geller, Executive Director x1

10. Energy Savings from Electric Utility Energy Efficiency Programs in U.S.
Source: ACEEE