RTF Quarterly Newsletter: Quarter No. 58 October — December 2024

In the fourth quarter, RTF finalized the updates of the existing heat pump measures before tackling new measures next year, provided direction on pursuing efficiency for electric vehicles, and updated key measures for new manufactured homes and residential gas furnaces. This quarter also marked the final months of the 2022-2024 RTF Member class, who for the past three years have continued to work hard to ensure the rigor of RTF work to support the region. We would like to thank the 2022-2024 RTF Membership for their dedication over the past three years!

Contact Laura Thomas, RTF Manger with questions or comments or check out the RTF Website. 

Non-Measure Work

Efficient Electric Vehicles

In December, the RTF had a follow up discussion regarding the next steps for the work done to explore the potential to define energy efficiency electric vehicles. The market characterization study completed in 2023 considered two possible ways to develop an efficiency measure for passenger class electric vehicles but concluded that based on the current data challenges and wide range of factors impacting efficiency recommended not developing a measure at this time. The study provided several recommendations that the RTF and other interested organizations might pursue to enable the development of a measure in the future. At the December meeting, staff presented a recommendation on the next steps for the RTF in this area. The RTF had a robust discussion on this topic and guided staff to focus on three things for EVs, 1) pursuing a follow up market characterization on commercial class electric vehicles, 2) use the data and analysis from the 2023 study to inform updates of the existing EV charger energy efficiency measure and demand response technology, and 3) reexamine the potential for a residential passenger class vehicle for the RTF to consider next year.

2025 RTF Work Plan

The RTF approved for recommendation to the Northwest Power and Conservation Council the proposed draft of the 2025 RTF Work Plan. This work plan represents the first year of a new five-year funding cycle for the RTF, which will continue the core work of the RTF and expand into deeper analysis for demand response and research to support reducing the uncertainty of RTF planning measures. The core work of the RTF, specifically measure development will continue to be a primary piece of the RTF work in 2025 representing 50% of the budget. In addition to the other key work the RTF has done in the past, in 2025 the RTF will have a modest budget to allow for a small project to complete the research objectives of one of the current RTF Planning Measures. In December, the RTF Policy Advisory Committee selected the Commercial Connected Thermostats UES for the research work in 2025. The Council approved the RTF Work Plan and Budget for 2025 at its November meeting.

Measure Updates Approved in Q4

• Approved the extension of the sunset date to June 30, 2025 for Retrofit Doors on Existing Display Case UES and Residential Air Purifiers UES.
• Approved updates as presented to the Fryer UES and set the category to Proven for gas, kept the category at Small Saver for electric, kept the status active, and set the sunset date to May 31, 2028.
• Approved the Ductless Heat Pump for Zonal Heat in Single Family and Manufactured Homes UES as presented, kept the category as Proven and status as active, and set the sunset date to March 31, 2026.
• Approved the addition of a tax credit identifier with the associated cost implications for the Ductless Heat Pump for Electric Forced Air Furnace Manufactured Homes and Single Family UES as presented.
• Approved the Ductless Heat Pump for Multifamily UES as presented, and kept the status as active, kept the category as Planning, and set the sunset date to September 30, 2028.
• Deactivated the Strip Curtains UES.
• Adopted the proposed 2025 work plan and business plan with recommendation to the Council for approval.
• Approve the updates to the New Manufactured Homes and HVAC UES measure and Research Strategy as presented and added in the DHP tax credit with appropriate measure identifiers; current practice baseline would include base case duct leakage and shell leakage consistent with non-NEEM homes; set the status as Active, changed the category of NEEM v2.0 measure applications to Small Saver and of NEEM v1.1 + ZERH v1 and HP Upgrade measure applications (“Proven” for CDHP in HZ1, “Planning” for CDHP in HZ 2 and 3, “Proven” for DHP in HZ 1 and 2, “Planning” for DHP in HZ 3, and “Small Saver” for HE Gas Furnace); approved updates to CDHP and DHP for eFAF Research Strategies that point to their use in the New MH and HVAC measure; and set the sunset date to November 30, 2026.
• Approved updates as presented to the Residential Refrigerator and Freezer UES and kept the category as Proven, kept the status as Active and set the sunset date as March 31, 2027.
• Approved the updates to the Residential Gas Furnaces UES as presented and changed the category to Planning, kept the status as active, and set the sunset date to November 30, 2028.
• Approved the updates to the GDP Deflator tab in the Standard Information Workbook as presented and directed the contract analyst team to work with RTF Members and stakeholders for updated proposal in Labor rates.
• Approved extending the sunset dates for Manufactured Home Duct Sealing UES and Door Sweeps UES to June 30, 2025, and the Residential Heat Pump Water Heaters UES and Consumer HPWHs in Commercial Applications UES to May 31, 2025.
• Approved the Non-residential Midstream Lighting UES as presented and kept the category as Proven, kept the status as active, and set the sunset date to December 31, 2026.
• Deactivated the Residential Lighting UES.
• Approved updates to the Labor Rates, Water and Wastewater Rates, and Water Energy tabs of the Standard Information Workbook as presented.
• Approved the allocation of resources to developing potential measures for heat pump engine block heaters for standby generators and commercial dishwashers. Did not allocate resources to whole house fans, midstream ductless heat pumps, or ENERGY STAR ceiling fans.

Upcoming at the RTF

In the next quarter the RTF will discuss:

January

• New RTF Member Orientation
• Connected Thermostat UES
• Commercial & Industrial Fans UES
• ENERGY STAR® Ice Makers UES
• Non-residential Lighting Retrofits Standard Protocol
• Data Centers Market Characterization

February

• Resiliency Valuation Update
• Residential Behavior Guidance Document
• Commercial Secondary Glazing Systems

March

• High Efficiency Residential Central Air Conditioners UES
• Commercial Connected Thermostats UES
• Commercial Refrigerators and Freezers UES
• Irrigation Hardware Upgrades UES
• Commercial Unitary Heat Pump Water Heaters UES