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This column features helpful information, innovative equipment, systems and applications utilities around the nation can use to save energy and improve service.

Assessing energy savings of new products
by Rob Penney, P.E.

Utilities and energy program planners across the country invest millions of dollars in energy efficiency and market transformation programs based on products and technologies they believe will offer long-term energy savings. One challenge in developing these programs—and answering customer inquiries—is a lack of reliable, comprehensive information about the efficacy of new products and technologies. This creates a risk for unwise investment by utilities and customers, which could tarnish the reputation of conservation programs.

Due to increasing product complexity, the task of evaluating energy efficiency claims is becoming more challenging. There is a growing need for regional or national services through which utilities learn can about promising new products to consider for their incentive programs and are warned about products and technologies less likely to deliver reliable energy savings.

One step Western customers can take is to call the Power Line at 800-769-3756. The Power Line has professional engineers and research librarians skilled at reviewing documented product test results and assessing vendor claims.

There are other steps utilities can take to assess new product savings claims. The amount of time and effort spent assessing the claims should generally be proportional to the cost, potential savings and potential risk of the product. Costly equipment and products with considerable application potential are generally worth more research time.

Trust your instincts—if it sounds too good to be true, it often is. Sometimes having a co-worker look over the facts can help you avoid being influenced by salesmanship and high-pressure tactics. Here are some good questions to ask when assessing product claims:

Are the energy savings claims valid?

  • Are independent testing results available? If so, what assumptions were made in the savings calculations?
  • Are credible case studies available that show significant savings? How similar are the applications to yours? Is there someone local who you could visit or call?
  • Is there any guarantee of energy savings? Are guarantee terms reasonable (some require years of pre- and post-installation monitoring)? Be leery of a “guarantee” whose remedy is to come and take the equipment out.
  • How well will the product maintain its energy-efficient performance over time?
  • Look carefully at the language of vendor claims and explanations. If they suggest that the concepts involved in their device are too advanced for typical engineers to understand, be very skeptical and seek professional advice, such as from the Power Line.

Is the product a wise investment otherwise?

  • Has the technology been tried before? If so, why was it not adopted more widely?
  • What do the company’s competitors have to say about the product?
  • Will the product require special staff training for operation and maintenance?
  • How available are customer service and replacement parts?
  • What are the non-energy benefits and liabilities (e.g., health/safety, productivity, inventory, process quality control, power quality)?
  • Are there local manufacturer’s representatives who can provide application support and replace failed products?
  • Is the device going to save enough energy to make it worth the time and effort evaluating and implementing it?

A utility wishing to offer energy efficiency incentives for a new product or technology may want to consider starting with a pilot project. That way, performance can be assessed with a limited number of customers, and in applications where risk is minimal.