Showerhead, Advanced Power Strips, Thermostatic Shut Off Valves
Showerheads
The base case (pre-existing state) used to calculate energy-efficiency savings for the current BPA Residential showerhead measures is the RTF current practice baseline. Savings from the efficient replacement are based on the nominal flow rates of 2.0, 1.75 and 1.5-gallons per minute (GPM) showerheads for all types of residences. Savings inputs also include an average for the number of persons per residence type and the number of showers per day.
Direct Install measures may gain higher savings by identifying the water heater fuel type. For Retail measures, shower type and water heater fuel type are restricted to “Any” in order to collapse shower location and water heater fuel type. BPA Documentation Requirements consider these factors. More-detailed information is available on the RTF’s Unit Energy Savings (UES) Measures webpage.
Requirements and Specifications
These measures are available for all types of residential buildings (single-family, manufactured and multifamily). Showerheads must have a GPM flow rate of 2.0 or less, and may be distributed via Retail, By Request, or Direct Install per the Measure Distribution Processes section in the Multi-Sector chapter.
• Customers claiming the measures for showerheads By Request or Direct Install must document a request by the end-user and water heater fuel type.
• Direct Install showerheads are only eligible in homes with electric water heaters.
• All showerhead measures are limited to two showerheads per residence.
Advanced Power Strips
The base case (pre-existing state) used to calculate energy-efficiency savings for the BPA Residential Home Entertainment Center Advanced Power Strip measures is the estimated annual electric usage of home entertainment centers and their peripheral AV devices. It is based on three detailed field trials conducted in South Africa, Australia and the U.S. The Australian savings (the largest trial) were adjusted to account for demographics and future electronic trends. Efficient-case savings includes the reduction of loads from master/peripheral load-sensing strips and Infrared Sensing (IR) strips that are capable of shutting off power to controlled devices when not in use. Other inputs include the prevalence of different peripherals (DVD, VCR, video games, stereo, speakers, etc.) and each peripheral’s hours of use.
These measures are currently deemed as Planning measures by the RTF Guidelines, requiring the completion of a Research Plan to provide more data on the inputs.
Requirements and Specifications
This measure is available for all types of residential buildings (single-family, manufactured and multifamily). The Residential Advanced Power Strip measure is an infrared remote sensing strip that reduces power consumption of home entertainment centers by shutting off power to the main device (such as a television) and controlled peripherals when no infrared remote signal is detected for a predetermined period of time. This measure must be used on home entertainment centers only (a TV with any combination of peripherals).
A qualified Advanced Power Strip must meet the following qualifications:
- Infrared remote sensing
- Consume less than 1W of energy
- One-year warranty and any length warranty for connected devices
- Surge protection to 740 joules
- UL1449 listed
- Rated for 15 amps
- Resettable circuit breaker
- Customers shall deliver a short Advanced Power Strip survey (By Request or Direct Install only) to gather data on this measure and to help move it to a proven UES measure. Customers shall deliver the survey or an online hyperlink to the online version of the survey within 30 days of distributing an Advanced Power Strip. A Word version of the APS End-user Survey is available in the Document Library and is also available as an APS End-user Survey Monkey tool available by contacting your EER.
Thermostatic Shut-off Valves(TSV)
Electric savings are a product of the installed showerhead flow rate, averted behavioral waste, reductions in the percentage of hot water used during warm up, and the percent of shower versus tub starts. Savings inputs also include the number of showers per person per year and people per household per shower. These devices may be installed by themselves or in conjunction with an efficient, lower-GPM showerhead. Direct Install and By Request measures may gain higher savings by identifying the water heater and water heater fuel types. For Retail measures, the showerhead flow rate and water heater fuel are restricted to “Any.”
Requirements and Specifications
These measures are available for all types of residential buildings (single-family, manufactured and multifamily).
Thermostatic Shut-Off Valves (TSVs) are a device installed between a shower arm and the showerhead fixture. They place a hold on water flow once it reaches 95 degrees F (35C) to reduce hot water waste while waiting for warm-up. Products must reduce the showerhead’s flow to a trickle when a water temperature of 95 degrees F (35C) or greater reaches the fixture. The reduced trickle must continue until normal flow is restored manually. Once restored, water must flow at its normal rate until being shut off. The unit must automatically reset itself for the next use. Installations must adhere to manufacturer recommendations for minimum static water pressure. For example, many units are recommended to have a minimum of 30 PSI water pressure.
- Thermostatic Shut-Off Valves (TSVs) may be installed by themselves or in conjunction with an efficient, lower-GPM showerhead.
- Customers claiming the measures By Request or Direct Install must document a request by the end-user and identify the hot water fuel source.
- Direct Install Thermostatic Shut-Off Valves (TSVs) are only eligible in homes with electric water heaters.
