Out with the Old, In with the New: Transitioning to Efficient Equipment
Highest Efficiency Equipment Standards (HEES) aims to phase out conventional gas and oil-fired heating systems, including residential furnaces and boilers, in favor of more efficient alternatives. The future lies in heat pump technology, which not only meets but exceeds 100% efficiency by capturing and utilizing ambient heat. This transition will foster the use of electric heat pumps, hybrid heat pump / gas systems, and electric resistance heating. As of January 1, 2030 all systems will need to be more than 100% efficient.
Two-Pronged Approach: Point of Sale and Installation Standards
The implementation of HEES will occur through two key mechanisms: Point of Sale standards and Point of Installation standards. The former focuses on common mass-produced heating equipment, while the latter covers more complex systems and will be integrated into the BC Building Code. This dual approach ensures a comprehensive and effective transition to higher efficiency standards. The intent is to restrict any building systems that would be less than 100% efficient. No more 100% gas based systems will be accepted.
The Impact on Design and Installation
As we approach 2030, building owners and designers must adapt to these new standards. This means considering heat pump technologies and dual-fuel systems right from the design phase, especially for retrofitting existing buildings. The shift necessitates a deeper understanding of these technologies and their integration into building mechanical designs to comply with the upcoming standards. Past 2030, buildings with 100% gas reliant heating solutions will not be able to have equipment replaced like-for-like. Designers and owners will need to understand how to incorporate heat pumps to achieve over 100% overall efficiency to continue using gas equipment.
Economic and Environmental Benefits
Adopting HEES is not just about compliance; it’s a step towards significant environmental and economic gains. By 2050, these standards are projected to achieve a 79% reduction in building emissions from 2017 levels, amounting to a decrease of 4.5 million tonnes annually. Additionally, while building owners will face initial costs, the overall lifecycle cost of these high-efficiency systems will be lower due to reduced energy bills, making this a financially viable long-term investment.
Preparing for a Sustainable Future
The HEES policy represents a bold move towards decarbonizing the built environment and addressing climate change. For small businesses managing projects, this directive emphasizes the need to incorporate sustainable, high-efficiency heating and cooling solutions into their plans. As we embrace these changes, we’re not just complying with regulations but actively participating in creating a cleaner, more sustainable world for future generations.
Sample 2030 HEES Acceptable Design
Below is a sample mechanical system of any size that would be acceptable under the 2030 HEES criteria. This is only considering energy used for heating:
- Condensing gas fired boiler – average annual efficiency ~95%
- Air source heat pump – average annual efficiency ~250% (COP – 2.5)
- Annual energy input from AERCO unit – 96%
- Annual energy input from Galletti unit – 4%
- Overall system efficiency = (0.95 * 0.96) + (2.5 * 0.04) = 1.01 / 101%
With this configuration the system would be compliant as long as the AERCO unit was designed to provide less than 95% of the total energy required for heating or domestic water. Due to the high COP of heat pumps, it should be relatively easy to accommodate these goals as long as there is understanding and design consideration to adding heat pumps into the plant at some point in the future.
