NY Residential Existing Homes Programs Regional Training Meetings - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

NY Residential Existing Homes Programs

Regional Training Meetings for Participating Contractors

July 2017

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Welcome & Agenda

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Welcome!

At any time, be sure to write down your ideas, comments, and questions on the sticky notes provided at your table. They will all be reviewed! 2.5 CEUs are available from BPI for today; please make sure to add your ID to the registration list to receive credit.

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Morning Agenda

State of the Program – Accomplishments – Status of Program Redesign – Implementation updates – Systems updates Engaging New Markets Technical Updates – Ensuring Quality – T echnical guideline updates – QACSS changes

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Afternoon Agenda

• Lunch/Awards
• Breakout sessions
• Reporting on Breakout
• Wrap-up

What would you like us to address today?

Tow n Building Products

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State of the Program –

through May 31, 2017

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• Drive market demand for residential

energy efficiency.

• Serve low and moderate income

households with energy efficient measures, that otherwise would have gone without.

• Responsibly reduce financial hardship

and inability to pay utility bills.

• Reduce carbon and greenhouse gas

emissions.

Our Goal

To deliver high quality energy efficiency services to households with high energy burdens.

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Households Served

131,745

Home Performance and ER Services Total Households Serviced to date

69,757 61,988

Electric Reduction (ER) Services only

EmPower NY

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Households Served

80,074

Assisted Home Performance Total Households Serviced to date

50,708 29,366

Market Rate Home Performance

Home Performance with ENERGY STAR

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Overall Energy Savings

Together the programs have served: 237,474 Families

• ~179,132,200 kWh
• ~43,436,900 Therms
• ~$93,341,500 FY Savings
• $924,840,400 Total Value of Work

SAVIN GS

Savings equivalent of recycling 109,399 tons instead of being landfilled

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Contractor and Partner Organizations

Private Contractors: 199 WAP Agencies: 41 Total: 240 Vendors: 5 Outreach Organizations: 33 CBOs: 9

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To all the hardworking people who have helped serve households through the programs – Thank you!

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Status of Program Updates & Redesign Efforts

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Status of Incentives

• The Free/Reduced Cost Audit Program is continuing for homeowners with

income up to 400% Area Median Income.

• The Residential Financing Programs (Smart Energy Loan and On Bill

Recovery) are continuing.

• Assisted Home Performance with ENERGY STAR and EmPower NY

incentives are continuing.

– EmPower NY is receiving a one time increase in funding this year to support Governor Cuomo’s goal of serving 20,000 low income customers with energy efficiency services across the State. Contractors may receive additional referrals and job allocations for a limited time due these funds.

• The existing market rate Home Performance with ENERGY STAR

contractor incentives are scheduled to end December 31, 2018. NYSERDA will have a number of other activities to support the market rate sector.

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Some Activities Since Last Year

• Thank you for your input

– Combined Participation Agreement

• Aligning Policies and Procedures
• Implemented a new Participation Agreement approval process

– EmPower now under the HPwES umbrella – Updated EmPower pricing – Revised and published EmPower referral process – EmPower management into NY HP Portal (soon) – Unified Income Limit calculations

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Activities Since Last Year

• Developed a new referral database for

improvements to the admin process and to achieve better referrals

• Started weekly blog posts series in NY HP Portal

with marketing, program, and industry tips and resources

• New implementation contracts and activities to

align processes across NYSERDA

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NYSERDA’s Process for Selecting New Vendors

• NYSERDA’s implementation contracts are

initiated by competitive solicitation, which are posted publicly and marketed.

• All qualified firms may bid.
• Proposals are peer-reviewed and typically

consist of both internal and external staff.

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Competitive Solicitations Issued

• RFQL 3209 - Marketing Support for NYSERDA Initiatives

– Contract Awardees: Multiple; KSV for Residential Programs

• RFP 3240 – Residential Financing and Income Verification Services

– Contract Awardee: EFS

• RFP 3401 – Centralized Services and Support

– Contact Awardee: CLEAResult

• RFQL 3434 - Standards and Quality Assurance Services

– Contract Awardees: Multiple; IBTS for HPwES

• RFP 3447 – Technical Services for NY Residential Existing Homes Programs

– Contract Awardees: TBD

• RFP 3588 – Community Energy Engagement

– Contract Awardees: TBD

• Future RFP – Program Management Software

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Understanding Implementation Moving Forward

• Shared Services – Centralizing common administrative needs across

NYSERDA

– Customer Support – Referral Processing (EmPower) – Application Intake – Invoice Processing

• Technical Services – Program specific needs for the NY Residential Existing

Homes Programs

– T echnical Consulting Support for Contractors – T echnical Consulting Support for NYSERDA in developing best practices – In-home Inspections – Identify training needs and provide training opportunities for Contractors – Review Audit and Workscopes – Contractor On-boarding – Program Document and Data Management

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Program Implementation: NYSERDA’s Single Family Residential Team

Karen Hamilton, Director

Program Operations Laura Geel, Program Manager David Friello Bill Keating Erik Gilbert Sherri Calabrese Morgan Frasier John McKnight Technical Services Kelvin Keraga, Technical Support Manager Matthew Houle Elizabeth Lazarou Residential Financing Deidre Maturo, Project Manager Kevin Hunt Patrick Deloughery Jose Rodriguez

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Program Implementation: NYSERDA’s Team

Our team is supported by a number of other teams, including:

• Standards & Quality Assurance
• Marketing
• Evaluation
• Low-to-moderate income policy

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System Updates

NY HP Portal

• In the next few weeks, NYSERDA will be offering mandatory trainings for Contractors

to become familiar with the EmPower workflow in the NY HP Portal. – There will be options for contractors comfortable with the HP Portal and for those with little or no experience

• EmPower workflow in the NY HP Portal will replace CRIS for the day-to-day

management of projects including: – Referral Assignment – Workscope Submission – Appliance Ordering – Completion Document Submission – Incentive Processing – Document Retention

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System Updates

NY HP Portal

• For Home Performance with ENERGY STAR, most contractors have been

trained on the new Express Contract, which utilizes HPXML to support automated reviews.

• This system is replacing the existing workflow and CLEAResult’s legacy

databases, which will soon be retired.

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System Updates

Others

• New utility-facing referral database for EmPower will be rolled out in the

next couple of weeks

• NYSERDA will be replacing ZenDesk for a NYSERDA ticketing system.

Expected to have similar functionality as ZenDesk and will be Contractor facing Coming Soon

• Modifications to the NY HP Portal to further integrate the HPwES and

EmPower modules

• Integration of automated EDI energy usage information
• HPXML Compliant EmPCalc or similar option

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What’s Next for Program Changes

• Continued Transition of program components to Shared Services

– EmPower Incentive Processing within couple of weeks or sooner – EmPower Referral Processing – Expected by the end of July – EmPower Customer Support – Expected by mid July – EmPower Application Processing – Expected in early August

• New Technical Services activities
• Continued Merging & Updating of the Programs

– Combined Application – Combined forms and unified process – One program for customers, with varying levels of financial support based on income – Updated eligible measures list – Updated EmPower pricing – New consumer education resources

• NYSERDA’s goal is to do this with minimum disruption to day-to-day

Contractor operations and services to customers.

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Engaging New Markets

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Present Situation and Barriers

• Homeowners tend to be more reactive to home energy system

failures than proactive regarding energy improvements.

• Homeowners invest in their homes to meet their family and lifestyle

needs, and to maintain or improve the value of their home; however, homeowners don’t understand the full value of energy efficiency. They are hesitant to invest without knowing there is adequate return

• n the investment. There are many competing priorities.
• Homeowners are motivated differently; there is no “one solution.”
• Consumer awareness and education is needed to truly expand the

reach of the industry.

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Opportunity

• Millions of dollars in home investments taking

place every year that could include energy efficiency, but don’t – $26 billion in annual home improvement sales in NYS, with 20% being energy- related – 60% of home owners have invested in home improvements in the past two years – More than 100,000 existing home sales in NYS annually

• NYSERDA will be exploring ways to influence

these home improvement transactions

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Market Development Activities

• Consumer education and awareness

– A centralized website to provide trusted, third party data to consumers and information about qualified contractors and

• pportunities for financial assistance

– Exploring new lead generation and lead nurturing options – Support for localized approaches, leveraging statewide messaging – Stronger online presence

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Market Development Activities

• Engaging with the real estate market to encourage energy efficiency

upgrades at the time of sale and to establish the value of energy efficiency – Provide training and resources to key market actors who have influence of home buyers, such as: home inspectors, realtors, lenders, etc

• Home energy rating systems to grow demand for energy efficiency

upgrades – Consider various rating approaches to use as a tool for trusted energy data in order to grow demand for energy efficiency services by qualified contractors

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Market Development Activities

• Leverage upstream partner relationships by engaging with

manufacturers and distributors to provide more support for high efficiency products and home performance contracting

• Engaging with retail establishments to influence home improvement

purchases to include energy efficiency

• Support for new and innovative business models that will help drive

demand for residential energy efficiency

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• New Construction - Residential and

Multifamily

– NYSERDA offers support to residential developers and builders for the construction and renovation of energy-efficient single-family homes, townhomes, low-rise multifamily buildings and high-rise multifamily buildings. – https://www.nyserda.ny.gov/All- Programs/Programs/Low-Rise-Residential

Existing NYSERDA Opportunities

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Existing NYSERDA Opportunities

• Multifamily Performance Program: Existing

Buildings

– Both NYSERDA and local utilities offer incentives for specific building upgrades, including energy-efficient appliances, building shell, cooling systems, heating and controls, domestic hot water, and motors and devices. – https://www.nyserda.ny.gov/All- Programs/Programs/MPP-Existing-Buildings

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Existing NYSERDA Opportunities

• NY-Sun

– The ultimate goal of NY-Sun is the development of a sustainable, self- sufficient solar industry in the State. T

• get there, NY-Sun has incentive

programs that support solar projects for commercial and industrial companies, homes, multifamily buildings, small commercial, not-for- profit and municipal buildings.

• The Affordable Solar program provides low-to-moderate income residents with

assistance to develop solar projects.

• The Shared Solar program helps renters, residents who can’t put solar on their roofs,

and others benefit from solar.

– https://www.nyserda.ny.gov/All- Programs/Programs/NY-Sun

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Existing NYSERDA Opportunities

• Renewable Heat NY

– Renewable Heat NY provides incentives toward the installed costs of high-efficiency, low-emission wood heating systems for homeowners and businesses without access to natural gas.

– https://www.nyserda.ny.gov/All- Programs/Programs/Renewable-Heat-NY

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• Ground Source Heat Pump Rebate

– Through the Ground Source Heat Pump Rebate initiative, NYSERDA is making $15 million available for the installation of this cutting-edge, renewable energy technology. – Single family home can receive up to $15,000

– https://www.nyserda.ny.gov/All- Programs/Programs/Ground-Source-Heat-Pump- Rebate

Existing NYSERDA Opportunities

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• REVitalize

– REVitalize helps community-based organizations plan for, develop, and implement clean energy projects for the areas they serve. This initiative is open to CBOs in need of technical assistance in the planning of a community-scale clean energy project. NYSERDA encourages community

• rganizations, finance institutions, foundations, utilities,

local governments, and project developers to work together on a program proposal.

– https://www.nyserda.ny.gov/All- Programs/Programs/REVitalize

Existing NYSERDA Opportunities

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Existing NYSERDA Opportunities

• Energy Code Training

– NYSERDA offers free and low-cost training and support services to municipal code

• fficials, architects, engineers, building energy

professionals, and members of the construction trades—all designed to improve compliance with the Energy Code.

– https://nyserdacodetraining.com/

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Ensuring Quality

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How do we define quality? Define value? To whom?

• Do what you say you were going to do
• Excellent workmanship (craftsmanlike manner, clean, tidy)
• Deliver to expectation (mmBtu savings, etc.)
• Solve stated consumer problem
• Void of health & safety concerns

Program Quality Goal #1:Move the residential retrofit EE market to a higher level of quality Program Quality Goal #2: Increase consumer confidence

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Quality Management & Integrity

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Program Integrity Relies on:

• Clear Guidelines
• Internal Quality Management

(IQM) by participating contractors

• Quality Assurance processes that

support contractors who are committed to quality

• Quality Control that drives action

toward continuous improvement

MVCA A

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Improving Guidelines: MIG revisions

• Revised gas leak testing procedures
• Updated spray foam protocol
• Additional improvements recommended by

contractors

• The next phase of Materials and

Installations Guidelines (MIG)

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Improved Guidelines: Gas Leak Testing

• Contractors must test for natural gas or propane in the

ambient air in all areas of dwellings where natural gas or propane fuel lines or appliance are present, even if not in use.

• Contractors must test all gas lines and appliances as per BPI

1200, Section 7.5.2. in the following situations:

– The contractor repairs, modifies or installs new natural gas or propane lines, connectors, or combustion appliances. – The contractor has reason to suspect a gas leak. – A gas meter is replaced – An out-of-gas condition occurs

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Improved Guidelines: Spray Foam Installation Requirements

• Careful and appropriate installation of spray

foam is critical.

• Apply appropriate ignition or thermal barriers
• Observe safety precautions
• Ensuring a professional and effective application

can be the difference between successful business, and lawsuits and tragedy.

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Spray Foam: Fire Protection can be a life or death matter.

.

An IGNITION Barrier is permissible in areas “only accessed to service mechanical devices” and other non-used, difficult to access areas. Examples: 3/8-inch particleboard; 3/8-inch gypsum board A THERMAL Barrier is required in conditioned areas, including those used for storage only. Examples: ½” thick Sheetrock; Other materials that will delay the surface of foam from experiencing surface temperature increase equal to or more than 250°F in 15 minutes AND are proven to remain in place under fire conditions

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Internal Quality Management (IQM)

• A system for ensuring quality

through: – Employee training – Standardized checkout procedures and documentation – In-progress inspections – Improved practices based on QA/QC input and new developments in the field

Geoffrey Katz, Green Home Logic

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Inspecting Cavities

• Customers must always be provided with a reasonable estimate of

savings prior to approving wall insulation.

• Under no circumstances should a contractor represent a space as

having no insulation when insulation was present, even if it is to be removed.

• Probing of wall cavities by contractors and QA/QC inspectors will

ensure the integrity of this measure.

• Workscopes must be adjusted if a contractor finds insulation at the

time of install, and customers and Program notified.

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A $3 probe: flexible, non- conductive

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• A great

tool

• Phone-

attached cameras: $220

• Costs less

than one call back to fix these problems!

Infrared

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Cellphone Borescope. About $25.

(Cellphone not included!)

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Probing

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Two methods for estimating insulation depth in an inaccessible area:

• 1. Using a curved probe to feel for the top
• f the insulation.
• 2. Using a borescope. The inspector is

slowly feeding the borescope cable straight up until the image clears of

• insulation. Then the inspector measures

the length of the borescope tube inserted into the hole. Both of these methods only provide an approximateestimate.

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Rating Insulation

• When using EmPCalc, the actual number of inches of pre-

existing insulation must be reported, and the insulation rated in

• EmPCalc. The downgrading of the insulation is built into the tool.
• When using other software, fiberglass insulation that is in fair or

poor condition must be downgraded to “fair” as per Program requirements, and according to BPI’s Effective R-value chart.

• If the insulation is severely deteriorated, take photos and consult

with the Program Implementer as to the best approach to representing R-values.

• If old insulation is to be removed prior to installing new insulation,

savings for the dwelling must be modeled on the basis of the

• ld existing insulation, not the empty cavities created by

removal.

Good Fair /Poor Measured Batt Thickness (Inches) Effective R- value (2.5 per inch) Effective R- value (1.8 per inch) 1 3 2 2 5 4 3 8 5 4 10 7 5 13 9 6 15 11 7 18 13 8 20 14 9 23 16 10 25 18 11 28 20 12 30 22 E ffective R

• values for B

att Insulation

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Ensuring signature integrity

• Authentic signatures are critical. Currently the only acceptable

processes for obtaining signatures are as follows: – The customer’s physical signature on a paper document (a “wet signature”). – An electronic signature created by the customer directly on the specific document, after the document has been completed. Staff must ensure that no data points above the signature are modified after the signature has been executed. – If a customer is incapable of providing a signature according to the above, please document the reason on the form.

• Cutting and pasting a signature from another document, or forging a

signature can result in termination from NYSERDA programs.

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Quality Assurance

• The goal is to ensure program integrity and increase consumer

confidence by assisting contractors in creating quality

• NYSERDA is developing communication pieces for customer to

improve understanding of measures to be installed

• NYSERDA has streamlined and clarified decision making processes

regarding customer and contractor concerns

• A new Technical Services and Training contractor will focus on

enhanced Quality Assurance practices

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Quality Control

• Transition from a repair driven quality control model, where

completed projects are inspected and then repaired if faults

• Move toward new model, where contractor trends and habits

are identified, and actions taken to improve quality as projects are in-process.

• Assist contractors in developing reliable IQM that reduces the

volume of QC inspections required for reliable contractors

• Measure data that drives contractor action toward quality

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Legacy QC Model – Inspect and Repair

Project Inspection Remediation Pas s Fail Corrective Action Complete

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Toward ISO 9001 (2015) Model

Pre- Implementati

• n (Modeling)

Implementation

(Take Action)

Decision

(Formulate Action)

Diagnosis

(Causal Analysis)

Evaluatio n

(Data Analysis)

Implementation Post- Implementatio n Observation

(Data Collection)

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QACSS – New Scoring System

• Score of 1 through 5; minimum of 3 to pass

– Consistency between HPwES and EmPower New York – Based on transparent, clear and objective guidelines – Provide actionable feedback – Focus our collective time and money on measuring quality data that supports decision-making and direct action Effective July 19, 2017

Score Incidental Minor Major Critical 5 Up to 3 4 More than 3 Up to 2 3 More than 3 Up to 3 2 More than 3 More than 3 Up to 1 1 More than 3 More than 3 More than 1 More than 0

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Quality Priorities

Category Question Defect Category (Severity) Number Program Observations Mean effect of Question Health & Safety CO Detector Present Critical 1670 9.90% Health & Safety Gas Leak Testing - Contractor Installed Lines Major 1884 4.70% Health & Safety CAZ and Appliances Related Safety Issues Identified Major 1883 4.40% Work Quality Specified Material Type Installed Major 1118 2.40% Work Quality Access Treated as Specified Major 1118 1.80% Assessment Quality Building Specifications Depicted Accurately Major 1882 8.90% Assessment Quality Preexisting Conditions Accurately Depicted Major 1885 8.80% Assessment Quality Heating System Accurately Depicted Major 1885 4.40% Assessment Quality Blower Door Test Results Submitted Major 1885 7.50% Assessment Quality Customer Signature Verified Major 1885 8.50% Assessment Quality Contracted Amounts Verified Major 1885 8.50%

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IQM and QA Interventions

Pre- Implementati

• n (Modeling)

Implementation Post- Implementatio n

Actionable feedback drives change – improves quality

AQ Building Specifications Depicted Accurately AQ Preexisting Conditions Accurately Depicted AQ Heating System Accurately Depicted AQ Blower Door Test Results Submitted H& S CO Detector Present H& S Gas Leak Testing - Contractor Installed Lines H& S CAZ and Appliances Related Safety Issues Identified WQ Specified Material Type Installed WQ Access Treated as Specified

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Some Great Ideas!

Inexpensive cement backer board to replace asbestos like siding

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Stylish LED bulbs for customers who want that retro-look

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Break-Out Sessions

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Breakout Sessions - Goals

• A forum for contractors to provide feedback, ideas,

comments, and questions on a number of important topics.

• Please participate in 2 sessions. After 30 minutes, you will

be asked to switch topics.

• We will review the notes from the sessions at the end, so

you will hear information about all four sessions.

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Breakout Sessions - Topics

• 1. Energy Assessment Best Practices
• 2. Internal Quality Management
• 3. Engaging New Markets
• 4. Market Driven Quality Services