Western updates popular DSM guidebook

The new edition of the DSM Pocket Guidebook now includes technical briefs on energy audits and home and office electronics.

The way consumers use energy has changed a lot since 1991, so Western's Energy Services decided it was high time that we brought the DSM Pocket Guidebook: Volume I: Residential Technologies into the 21st century.

For years, our customers relied on the guidebook to help them sort through the challenges and opportunities of load management. But science—and the marketplace—don't stand still. Bigger homes and more home appliances are pushing demand ever higher. Consumers today worry about rising energy costs and the environment; yet, they want a new flat-screen TV.

"Appliances and technologies that didn't exist, or weren't widely available to consumers 17 years ago, now have a tremendous impact on loads," said Energy Services Manager Ron Horstman. "Look at how televisions have become the third largest energy user in the household."

Meanwhile, technology continues to improve the energy efficiency of buildings and equipment and gives us new ways to control energy use. Utilities across the country are deploying sophisticated automated meter reading systems that make demand reduction simple and nearly invisible to customers. DOE's Building America program conducts systems engineering research to produce homes on a community scale that use 30 to 90 percent less energy. The technology exists today and by 2020, the marketplace will offer consumers more choices such as "zero-energy" homes with integrated, onsite power systems that produce as much energy as they use.

For customer service, planning

The DSM Technology Guidebook provides a quick reference to help utility staff answer residential consumers' questions about the systems and equipment available today. Utility planners can use the guidebook to get an idea of how those technologies fit their system's specific needs. Although the publication is directed at small municipal utilities and rural cooperatives, larger utilities have also used it as a springboard for developing DSM programs.

In updating the guidebook, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory kept the same concise format that has worked so well. "It provides only overviews of technologies," said Horstman. "Utilities will still need to conduct a detailed analysis to determine what technologies are most likely to benefit their own operations and their end-users."

The new DSM Guidebook covers energy audits, building structure, heating and cooling, water heating, lighting, appliances, home and office electronics and pools. Each section contains tables and formulas to help with analysis, and a list of Web resources under "For more information" where readers can continue their research.

What's new in DSM

The section on energy use and energy audits is a new addition since the last printing. The holistic approach to improving a building's energy use has been around for many years, but was mostly applied to large, commercial facilities. The advice for residential customers previously focused on individual measures, like upgrading windows or adding more insulation, noted Horstman. "Now, we encourage homeowners to prepare an energy-saving plan for the entire home—and they are really seeing the benefit of that approach."

Some of the material has been reorganized to make it more logical to today's energy services professional. For example, under "Building Structure," weather stripping and caulking are covered by a single chapter on air sealing.

New chapters have been added on now-common household technologies like programmable thermostats, lighting controls and home and office electronics. "Appliances, in particular, are an area where we have a lot of new information," said Horstman. "There are more options for energy-efficient electronics on the market than ever."

On the other hand, many of those items have phantom loads—the small amount of power clock displays and remote controls draw when the appliance is switched off. "Phantom loads were negligible 15 years ago, but now they have turned into stealth Energy Hogs for homeowners," Horstman pointed out.

Tools for analysis

In designing a DSM program, a utility must select technologies that support their overall objectives. Ultimately, the goal is to provide customers with the same or expanded cost-effective energy service, smooth out the utility's load curve and delay the need for new powerplants.

To help with technology selection, the guidebook provides formulas for estimating the end user's simple payback for energy-efficient home technologies, and the technologies' impacts on the utility's load curve. "The ideal technology strengthens the utility's ability to provide low-cost, reliable power, while allowing it to recover its fixed and operating costs," said Horstman. "You can't balance those needs without doing the analysis."

The new edition has more flexibility built into the formulas, leaving blanks for specific prices wherever possible. "Energy prices may be the only thing that changes as fast as technology," Horstman admitted. "We wanted the guidebook to remain relevant and easy-to-use. Readers can easily fill in the current prices in their own regions."

Taking it to the Web

That information and more is accessible, thanks to a game-changer that didn't exist in 1991. The Internet has made everyone more savvy about energy use, pricing and environmental impacts.

Computers, along with faxes, cell phones and DVD players, are almost as common in homes as refrigerators. That's why Western put the DSM Pocket Guidebook online instead of printing it. "Utilities can send their customers to the Energy Services Web site to download their own reference copy," he said. "It saves everyone money, it saves a few trees and best of all, it helps to educate residential consumers."

Enlisting customer support is, after all, critical to the success of a DSM program, no matter what technology a utility chooses to make its centerpiece. The DSM Pocket Guidebook, Volume I, gives utilities the information they need to explain to residential consumers how today's energy decisions make the difference in tomorrow's world.

Resources

DSM Pocket Guidebook: Volume I: Residential Technologies

U.S. DOE Building America Program

National Renewable Energy Laboratory

Energy Services Web site

People

Ron Horstman

Related articles

Energy Services Bulletin, November 2008
Choosing your energy-efficient HDTV

Energy Services Bulletin, June 2006
Automated meter reading spreads through Western territory

< PREVIOUS — NEXT >