1. VRF for the Seventh Plan Preliminary Approach and Data for a Variable Refrigerant Flow Measure for the Seventh Plan Regional Technical Forum January 21, 2015 VRF

2. Presentation Outline  What is the VRF Measure?  Background  Data Sources  Preliminary Savings and Cost Estimates  Applicability  Discussion and Input from RTF 2

3. What is VRF?  Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) Systems  One outdoor unit connects to multiple indoor units through refrigerant lines  VRF systems can adjust heating and cooling outputs by adjusting the refrigerant flow and variable speed compressor  Separate ventilation system (e.g., DOAS)  Energy savings from:  Part load efficiency  Eliminated duct losses  Reduced simultaneous heating/cooling  Better ventilation control  Heat recovery  Optimized building design (new construction) 3

4. VRF Market  VRF has about 24% of the global AC market  Over 35% market share in China, India, the European Union, and Eastern Europe.  The VRF share of the U.S. market is still only about 3% (LG 2012)  Multiple manufacturers sell these systems in the U.S. and sales are growing  VRF systems are being installed in the PNW 4

5. Data Sources  PNNL – “Variable Refrigerant Flow Systems,” December 2012  RTF Subcommittee  BPA research  Vendor presentations  Some modeling results  Ecotope 2014 – preliminary work for Washington State Code proposal  Product directory of certified VRF equipment (AHRI 2012)  ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2010  VRF section in the 2012 ASHRAE Handbook, HVAC Systems and Equipment (ASHRAE 2012a).  EPRI  Manufacturer estimates  Florida Solar Energy Center 5

6. Data Sources (cont.)  Many references but little consistency in reported savings  Most data sources are modeled results; very few metered  Electricity savings results range from 5% to 65% of HVAC energy  Typical VRF system COP not much higher that comparable unitary equipment, but:  Higher part load performance (IEER)  No duct losses  Greater design flexibility 6

7. Data Sources (cont.)  Many references but little consistency in reported savings  Most data sources are modeled results; very few metered  Electricity savings results range from 5% to 65% of HVAC energy  Typical VRF system COP not much higher that comparable unitary equipment, but:  Higher part load performance (IEER)  No duct losses  Greater design flexibility 7

8. Reported Savings (selected)  E3T  Best Estimate of Energy Savings: "Typical" Savings: 36%  Low and High Energy Savings: 15% to 40%  PNNL  HVAC Energy Savings with VAV  34% (gas heat)  45% (electric heat)  PECI  33% average  EPRI  5%-20%  Mitsubishi (simulation)  42% (assisted living)  43% (school)  37% (hotel) 8

9. Reported Savings (cont.)  Ecotope (2014), NEEA 9 Case Study As Designed System EUI (kBtu/sf/yr) Code System 1 EUI (kBtu/sf/yr) Code System 2 EUI (kBtu/sf/yr) King County Housing Authority 306670 Fire Station 72335667 Westside School163328

10. Reported Savings (cont.)  Ecotope (2014) – King County Housing Authority 10

11. Proposed 7P Savings Estimates  BPA – “VRF Energy Modeling Savings Estimates,” Energy Solutions, August 2011 11 Notes: -Baseline systems: Packaged Rooftop AC with Gas Heat, Packaged Rooftop Heat Pump -Efficient system: VRF and DOAS -See presentation on RTF Subcommittee web page -Elec. savings range from 30-50% over gas ht baseline, and 37-60% over electric ht baseline

12. 12 Savings Summary – BPA Modeling 2011 12 VRF Heat Pump % Electricity Savings over Baseline with Gas Heat% Electricity Savings over Baseline with Electric Heat Medium OfficeSmall OfficeMedium OfficeSmall Office Seattle 34.9%62.5%31.5%65.3% Spokane 25.0%51.3%42.5%60.7% Average30.0%56.9%37.0%63.0% VRF Heat Recovery % Electricity Savings over Baseline with Gas Heat% Electricity Savings over Baseline with Electric Heat Medium OfficeSmall OfficeMedium OfficeSmall Office Seattle 38.9%60.2%33.2%63.1% Spokane 29.0%48.1%44.7%58.1% Average33.9%54.2%38.9%60.6%

13. Proposed Applicability Large OffNO Medium OffYES Small Off YES Xlarge RetNO Large RetNO Medium RetNO Small RetNO School K-12YES UniversityYES WarehouseNO SupermarketNO MiniMartNO RestaurantNO LodgingYES HospitalYES Residential CareYES AssemblyNO OtherYES 13 Only new construction ?

14. Discussion  What savings estimates to use for 7P  What applicability  Which building types  Only new construction?  Measure life: 20 years  Cost – from literature. Moderate incremental cost for new construction 14