Environmental & Economic Research and Development Program

Cold Climate Variable Refrigerant Flow Program Study

About the Research Project

This project studied variable refrigerant flow (VRF) systems in Wisconsin and developed a program framework for Focus on Energy. The research team analyzed market barriers and typical energy and cost savings of VR systems. The project team interviewed stakeholders (VRF manufacturers, contractors, energy efficiency program staff), developed energy and economic models, and assessed five sites in the state with existing VRF systems.

Contributor: Slipstream, Center for Energy and Environment
Project Timeline: July 2020 – June 2021

Research Objectives:
This research included five key objectives:

Understand the operation and sales of the newest generation of VRF products through interviews with stakeholders in all areas of the supply chain.
Understand the energy usage of existing Wisconsin building stock through review of 2012 Commercial Building Energy Consumption Survey (CBECS) data.
Develop baseline and estimated energy use for Wisconsin buildings including economic analysis using energy modeling.
Complete site assessments to characterize the features and applications successfully deployed today.
Review incentive offerings across the country and merge with lessons learned from Wisconsin research to produce a framework for a VRF offering for Focus on Energy.

Outdoor HVAC unit mounted on a light exterior wall beside two tall windows; purple flowering plants and green lawn in the foreground.

The researcher established a data-driven, structured approach to conduct a comprehensive assessment of potential measures and interventions for Focus on Energy to consider in order to prioritize a subset for in-depth implementation plans as well as draw study conclusions.

A Tableau Dashboard was built including all interventions to facilitate engagement and allow for real time re-weighting of criteria to explore how it changed the ranking. The dashboard was utilized to select 14 priority interventions that would be further developed into detailed implementation plans.

The final report provides high level strategic direction as well as 14 detailed implementation plans for priority interventions. The research outcomes will inform how Focus on Energy can continue to maximize efforts toward reducing energy waste, costs, and environmental impacts throughout the state in a time of transition.

Contributor: Energy Solutions
Project Timeline: January 2025 - December 2025

Research Objectives

Document the state’s existing policy and programmatic goals.
Recognize opportunities for aligning the state’s energy efficiency and renewable energy portfolio with the goals of stakeholders throughout Wisconsin.
Determine the primary opportunities for Focus on Energy programs to play a larger role in cost-effectively reducing emissions.
Identify conditions and barriers to implementing strategies or interventions, as well as strategies to address identified barriers.
Develop sequenced recommendations for programmatic implementation and deployment of interventions.

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