June 22, 2020

What’s New with EPIC: Custom Improvements

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Background

As a pioneer in cloud-based building energy performance assessment technology, SRS has earned a reputation for developing cutting edge software, data and predictive analytics solutions. Our latest innovation is the Energy Performance Improvement Calculator (EPIC™).

EPIC continues to be enthusiastically adopted across the broad spectrum of energy efficiency project professionals: project developers, ESCOs, HVAC contractors, utility incentive program managers, and manufacturers and distributors of HVAC equipment.

New Features

Based on EPIC user requests, we are pleased to announce the following new features are now available to EPIC users:

1. Custom Energy Efficiency Improvements: EPIC now supports financial impact analysis and reporting of custom improvements. For example, in dry climates EPIC users commonly install an evaporative pre-cooler upstream of a new high efficiency air conditioning system (RTUs). By way of EPIC’s new custom improvement feature, an EPIC user can enter such improvement’s installed cost, first year unit savings, estimated useful life, annual utility cost escalation percent, and annual system performance degradation factor.

   Upon data entry, EPIC will instantly calculate the custom improvement’s first year and lifetime savings in dollars and integrate these calculations in the project-level reporting. Moreover, this new functionality enables EPIC users to include any energy efficiency improvement, such as specific control strategies, lighting controls, variable flow, variable frequency drives, envelope upgrades, etc.

2. Additional Cost/Savings Items: EPIC now supports user entry of the following four types of custom cost and savings items:

   1. Installed Cost: For example, a one-time roof repair cost related to the installation of new rooftop air conditioning units (RTUs). Upon data entry, EPIC will instantly create a line item and include such cost in the calculation and reporting of project net installed cost.

   2. Installed Savings: For example, a one-time rebate from the utility for the installation of a multi-improvement project. Upon data entry, EPIC will instantly create a line item and include such savings in the calculation and reporting of project net installed cost.

   3. Post-Installation Cost: For example, a recurring cost for an HVAC equipment servicing contract. Upon data entry of the cost and term, EPIC will instantly create a line item and apply such cost over the user-defined number of years in the calculation and reporting of project lifetime cost.

   4. Post-Installation Savings: For example, a recurring maintenance savings resulting from the installation of new HVAC equipment. Upon data entry of the savings and term, EPIC will instantly create a line item and apply such savings over the user-defined number of years in the calculation and reporting of project lifetime savings.

3. Renewable Energy Systems: EPIC now supports financial impact analysis and reporting of renewable energy systems, e.g., solar PV systems. By way of EPIC’s new renewable energy feature, an EPIC user can enter such improvement’s installed cost, first year dollar savings, estimated useful life, annual utility cost escalation percent, and annual system performance degradation factor. Upon data entry, EPIC will instantly calculate the improvement’s annual and lifetime savings in dollars and integrate these calculations in the project-level reporting. Furthermore, this feature supports the “efficiency first” best practice, enabling users to right-size a solar PV system based on the reduced load from energy efficiency improvements.

4. Multi-Improvements Interactive Effects: EPIC’s estimated savings methodology for multiple energy improvements considers the interactive effects assuming implementation in the sequence displayed in EPIC’s energy improvements table. EPIC users now have the option, via a new three dots icon, to drag and drop an improvement to change its order in the table. This sequencing feature enables EPIC users to optimize their project considering the interactive cost and savings effects of multiple improvements. Moreover, this sequencing is designed to avoid double counting and overestimating energy savings in comprehensive, multi-improvement projects.

These new features, enabling EPIC users to enter custom improvements and other project related costs and savings, dramatically increases EPIC’s flexibility to support myriad project types. Moreover, upon user entry, these custom items are instantly integrated into the EPIC calculations and reporting. The result is a powerful, data-driven business case for the proposed energy efficiency investments.

The Result–Everybody Wins:

• The property owner has the information they need to make a confident and expedited investment decision

• The project developer/contractor increases their win rate

• The utility energy efficiency program manager deploys more incentives and captures more savings

• The manufacturer and distributor accelerate sales of their high efficiency equipment.

To learn more about how these compelling new EPIC features can help grow your business, contact us to schedule a demonstration.