A new residential opportunity: variable speed furnace motors

Panel: Panel 7. Innovative buildings technologies

Authors:
I. M. Sulyma, BC Hydro, Canada
K. H. Tiedemann, BC Hydro, Canada

Abstract

This study reports on the results of an evaluation of BC Hydro's Variable Speed Furnace Motor Program. There are four main conclusions as follows: first, the Variable Speed Furnace Motor Program has achieved high levels of program participation and high levels of participant satisfaction, but it has been less successful in achieving high levels of awareness and interest in variable speed furnace motors. Second, the effectiveness of financial incentives has been examined through survey information and through econometric models. Analysis of both of these sets of data sources indicates that financial incentives have a significant effect on the customer decision to install a variable speed motor as part of a furnace retrofit. Financial incentives reduce the cost of installing a variable speed motor and consequently increase take-up. Third, evaluated energy savings are 7.2 GWh per year compared to reported energy savings of 5.0 GWh per year. Evaluated peak savings are 1.4 MW compared to reported peak savings of 1.5 MW. Evaluated energy savings are higher than reported energy savings because survey data indicated that annual hours of use are higher than was formerly thought to be the case. The ratio of peak savings to reported energy savings is also lower than reported because of the high hours of use. Fourth, the results of a survey of suppliers including furnace dealers, heating contractors and gas fitters has been used to estimate incremental costs for variable speed furnace motors of $426 for 2008. The price differential between and variable speed motors (efficient) and permanent split capacitor motors (baseline) fell from $513 in 2003 to $426 in 2007.