Barriers to the use of energy efficient residential ventilation devices.

Changes to Canadian building codes and standards are likely to increase the use of residential ventilation systems by homeowners. This has raised concerns about operating and maintenance costs, particularly because much of the existing residential equipment is not designed for longevity, or energy efficiency. The technical potential for improving the longevity and efficiency of ventilation systems has been documented in other research reports by CMHC. The objectives of this report are to document what key stakeholders say are the barriers to the availability and use of more energy-efficient residential ventilation devices, and to indicate what  various actors can do to improve the situation. Industry opinion was sampled by means of an open-ended telephone questionnaire, delivered to 31 individuals, representing a cross-section of the industry. The responses were summarized and analyzed, so as to better understand the key barriers to change. The report concludes with a number of suggested strategies for increasing the energy efficiency of residential ventilation devices. · The strategies draw upon the responses from industry representatives who participated in the survey, and attempt to incorporate frequently voiced or strongly felt suggestions. Although all respondents claimed to be aware that most residential ventilation devices are extremely inefficient, only a few indicated real understanding of the physical limitations to improved energy efficiency. Several respondents argued that efficiency, per se, is irrelevant, and that concern should be directed towards functional design, total energy consumption, or heat recovery issues. Air moving efficiency was frequently confused with heat recovery efficiency. Most respondents referenced CMHC reports as their source of information on energy efficiency of fans. Opinions about potential for technical improvements varied to an extreme. Apparently no common understanding exists in regards to the kinds of technical changes that are possible, or desirable. Responses tended to focus on one or two types of devices, and indicated a need for separately surveying each sector of the industry, including HRVs, central exhaust fans, bathroom fans, furnace blowers, and so on. The most commonly cited technical design changes were the use of energy-efficient motors with furnace blowers, and the use of permanent split capacitor motors with small, continuously-operating, Jans. Industry plans for change appeared to be poorly defined, with the notable exception of the work by Ontario Hydro and General Electric on replacing furnace blower motors with high efficiency models. Few respondents considered the cost of operating ventilation Jans to become a major issue in the near future. The most common barriers to supply and use of energy efficient Jans mentioned by respondents were the lack of a national standard, and the current low electricity prices. Many other interesting and diverse barriers were mentioned. Respondents seemed to support almost all possible strategies for improving energy efficiency, although doubts were frequently expressed about the potential for educating homeowners in this area, or for influencing manufacturers by means of a simple one-time standard, unsupported by more research and planning. An examination of life-cycle costs of typical residential ventilation systems indicated that energy efficiency could be very cost effective, particularly because current equipment is so inefficient. First costs were shown to a poor basis for making choices. Accurate estimates of life-cycle costs are difficult because of the ambiguity around the actual time periods that Jans will be used, and because of the unknown replacement periods - both key variables. The largest single barrier to achieving energy efficiency in this area appears to be the consumers emphasis on reducing first costs. The other major barrier is that the decision-makers tend to be people who do not bear the consequences. Strategies for improving the demand for energy-efficient ventilation devices are described in detail, and include: preparing a standard for testing and rating the air moving efficiency; creating a process of establishing limits and targets; incorporating limits into enforceable codes and regulations; and, developing methods for verifying compliance and for facilitating enforcement. Strategies for improving the availability of energy-efficient ventilation devices are also described in the report, and include: sponsoring innovation by manufacturers; targeting research support to Canadian companies; involving electrical utilities; and, transferring infonnation to trade training programs. Four research projects are proposed, including: monitoring of system usage in situ; life time testing; optimizing furnace blower system designs; and, developing a portable fan test rig.