Residential Measure Bundles by End Use
Around 40 residential-sector measures are analyzed in the 2021 Power Plan. These measure bundles do not and should not dictate the way measures are bundled for programmatic implementation. Many of the residential-sector measures are reviewed by the RTF and the 2021 Plan supply curves incorporate those most recent data as of March 2020. However, in some cases, the final measures included in the 2021 Power Plan may be consolidated from the RTF measure list. For example, the RTF’s analysis for heat pump water heaters is quite granular, with savings variation by install location, heating zone, and efficiency level. Differences by heating zone are relatively small and statistical significance is limited between heating zones two and three, so the measure is collapsed into only differentiating by install location. Also, to avoid double counting savings between tiers, the efficiency of higher tiers is incremental to the previous tier. If the levelized cost for the more efficient tier is less than the lower tier, only the more efficient tiers are included. The measure bundles, each of which has an individual Excel workbook, are provided by end use in the table below.
Residential Measure Bundles by End Use
End Use | Measure Bundle(s) |
Dryer | Heat pump clothes dryer |
Electronics | Monitor |
Desktop and Laptops | |
Ultra High Definition TVs | |
Advanced power strips | |
Food Preparation | Microwave |
Electric oven | |
HVAC | Duct Sealing |
Smart thermostats | |
Ductless heat pump | |
DHP with ducted system | |
Ground-source heat pump | |
Heat recovery ventilation | |
Weatherization | |
Air-source heat pump upgrades and conversions | |
Whole-house fan | |
Central air conditioner | |
Circulators/Circulator Controls | |
Cellular shades | |
Room air conditioner | |
Lighting | LED screw-based and pin-based bulbs and integral fixtures |
Refrigeration | Refrigerator and Freezer |
Water Heating | Aerator |
Clothes Washer | |
Dishwasher | |
Wastewater heat recovery | |
Heat pump water heater | |
Showerheads | |
Thermostatic showerhead restriction valves | |
Pipe Insulation | |
Circulators/Circulator Controls | |
Whole Bldg/Meter Level | Behavior |
Electric vehicle supply equipment | |
Other | Air Cleaner |
Well pump |
Major and New Residential Measures
The residential measure with the greatest potential in the 2021 Plan is heat pump water heaters (over 400 average megawatts). Heat pump water heaters were also significant in the Seventh Power Plan. Since the Seventh Power Plan, more products and high efficiency units have become available, including split-system units that are highly efficient and require less indoor space allowing for greater applicability in multifamily dwellings. Other large sources of savings include weatherization measures, dryers, and ductless heat pumps. Heat pump dryers, though included in the Seventh Power Plan, have significantly more potential in the 2021 Plan, given better understanding of the technology and increased product availability.
Unlike in the Seventh Power Plan, residential lighting potential is not as significant. This market has been significantly transformed by the prevalence of LED bulbs in the market, where, according to NEEA’s 2019 lighting market analysis study, nearly 70 percent of all general purpose and reflector bulbs sold were LED. In addition, in Washington, high-efficacy bulbs are now required by statute, further reducing the potential.[1] Still, potential remains, particularly for integral LED fixtures, certain specialty bulb applications, and pin-based lamps.
The 2021 Plan incorporated a number of new measures compared to the Seventh Power Plan, as provided in table below. For measures that were included in both the prior and current plans, oftentimes new permutations or efficiency levels were added for the 2021 Plan.
Residential Measures New to the 2021 Plan
End Use | Measure | End Use | Measure | |
HVAC | Room AC | Water Heating | Thermostatic Restriction Shower Valves | |
HVAC | Central AC | Water Heating | Pipe Insulation | |
HVAC | Cellular Shades | HVAC/Water Heating | Circulator Pumps and Controls | |
HVAC | Whole House Fans | Electronics | UHD TVs | |
Lighting | Pin-based Lamps | Other | Air Cleaners | |
Lighting | Integral LED Fixtures | Other | Well Pumps |
Residential Measures Not Included in 2021 Plan
There are several energy efficiency measures that were not included in the 2021 Plan due to limited data or resources. Some of these measures for the residential sector are: thin-glass triple pane windows, integrated CO2 space and water heat pumps, lighting occupancy sensors, shell improvements in new construction, ENERGY STAR soundbars, efficient portable spas. Although excluded from the 2021 Plan, these measures may be feasible for energy efficiency programs to pursue. Whole building approaches for both estimating potential and for use in programs could result in deeper savings at lower costs.
[1] Note, at the time of the supply curve development, the federal standard was as finalized at the end of 2019 – that is, 45 lumens/watt is not required for general purpose or specialty incandescent bulbs outside of Washington.