Weatherization Assistance Program
Energy Audits + Priority Lists
NASCSP Newcomers Orientation March 2014 1 | Weatherization Assistance Program
eere.energy.gov
Learning Objectives
By attending this session, participants will be able to: • Understand the DOE rules and guidance for energy audit procedures and priority lists. • Recognize the selection criteria for weatherization measures. • Utilize Appendix A as a tool for selecting materials. • Implement energy audits and priority lists.
2 | Weatherization Assistance Program: Energy Audits + Priority Lists
Acronyms
• ECM – Energy Conservation Measure
• GHW – General Heat Waste • H&S – Health & Safety • IRM – Incidental Repairs Measures • SIR – Savings to Investment Ratio
3 | Weatherization Assistance Program: Energy Audits + Priority Lists
Energy Audits
An energy audit is required for every home weatherized.
Photos courtesy of the US Department of Energy
Performing an energy audit on a home is one of the critical steps in the weatherization process. 4 | Weatherization Assistance Program: Energy Audits + Priority Lists
Basic WAP and Energy Audit Purpose
The WAP Energy Audit procedures must be designed and carried out to make the critical decisions on cost effective work appropriate for individual homes to achieve the basic WAP purpose.
5 | Weatherization Assistance Program: Energy Audits + Priority Lists
Enabling Statute and Audits
The enabling Federal Statute (42 U.S.C. 6851 to 6865) for the Weatherization Assistance Program provides basic, but sometimes very specific, statements of expectations for Energy Audits.
6 | Weatherization Assistance Program: Energy Audits + Priority Lists
DOE Weatherization Regulations
DOE Regulations (rules) for Weatherization are contained in 10 CFR 440. With few exceptions (e.g., average cost per unit limit), Regulations specific to energy audits is contained in 10 CFR 440.21, Weatherization Materials Standards and Energy Audit Procedures.
Copy of the 10 CFR 400 on the Government Printing Office website. 7 | Weatherization Assistance Program: Energy Audits + Priority Lists
DOE WAP Energy Audit Approval Guidance
Weatherization Program Notice (WPN) 13‐5 Revised Energy Audit Approval Procedures and Other Related Audit Issues. • Grantees must resubmit detailed Energy Audit procedures for approval every 5 years. • Approved SIR calculation audit tools – both nationally and for specific Grantees. • Includes instructions for subordinate Priority List(s) approval. • List of DOE approved GHW measures.
8 | Weatherization Assistance Program: Energy Audits + Priority Lists
What is a typical WAP Energy Audit?
• A complete inspection assessment and evaluation of energy use and health & safety conditions in a home. • Performed by a qualified Energy Auditor. • The Auditor must follow its Grantee’s guidelines and technical standards (e.g. DOE’s Standard Work Specifications). 9 | Weatherization Assistance Program: Energy Audits + Priority Lists
SIR Calculation Audit Tool and Work Order
• Energy Conservation Measures (ECM) and Incidental Repair Measures (IRM) are entered in the computerized SIR calculation Audit tool for evaluation of cost effectiveness and priority of installation. • The Work Order is developed from the results of SIR analysis, the established list of H&S measures and the list of GHW measures.
10 | Weatherization Assistance Program: Energy Audits + Priority Lists
Priority Lists
• The Grantee may obtain DOE approval for one or more Priority Lists for a subset of homes in a major housing type that have similar building characteristics, climate, energy costs, and installed material costs. • When applicable, a Priority List eliminates only one step in the Audit process, the use of the computerized SIR calculation tool would not be required on all units. Example of a Priority List from the Northern Mariana Islands.
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Subgrantee Program Management
How does Local Program Management fit into the energy audit process? • Must ensure competent, properly equipped and well trained Energy Auditors on staff. • Have a ‘working knowledge’ of Grantee Audit Guidelines and, if priority lists are used, what buildings are eligible for use and when site specific audits are necessary • Ensures Grantee Audit Guidelines are followed. • Periodically shadow Energy Auditor(s) during on‐site audits. • Review Auditor’s documentation and work orders in all client files. • Ensure all energy conservation and weatherization materials specified in work orders by Auditors are listed in 10 CFR 440 ‐ Appendix A. – Ensure other materials (IR materials, H&S materials, and Ancillary materials) are high quality, functional and durable.
• Provide high quality of service to clients. 12 | Weatherization Assistance Program: Energy Audits + Priority Lists
Grantee Program Management
How does a State Program Manager fit into the energy audit process? • Overall responsibility to develop audit policies and procedures, including Health and Safety Plan. • Responsible for submitting proposed Energy Audit procedures to DOE every 5 years. • Ensure priority lists, if applicable, are being used properly by subgrantees • Ensure that Subgrantees’ ECM cost and utility price libraries are up to date for audit SIR calculations, and that costs have not varied sufficiently to affect DOE‐approved priority list(s). • Ensure competent, well trained, properly equipped monitors on staff. • Ensure all DOE regulations and guidance are followed.
13 | Weatherization Assistance Program: Energy Audits + Priority Lists
Summary
• Weatherization measures must be evaluated for cost‐effectiveness by a DOE‐approved audit tool before installation. • Weatherization materials must be consistent with Appendix A. • Installed weatherization measures must have an SIR > 1. • A customized DOE‐approved Priority List may be used to justify measure installations but cannot be implemented without an approved audit tool.
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