Frequently Asked Questions

Starting in EnergyPro 10.0 you will find two LSC (Longterm System Cost) scores and a Source (emissions) score when doing a compliance calculation.  An LSCe score which represents the efficiency of the building design and includes all end uses with the exception of PV and Battery.  An LSCt score which is the building efficiency score including the savings contribution of PV and Batteries, and a Source score, an emissions score that is similar to the LSCt score and includes all end uses and factors in the Green House Gas emissions that result from the gas and electricity that is consumed to run the building.  In the case of buildings with gas appliances, you can expect your proposed Source emissions score to be high.  Starting with the 2025 Energy Code, New Construction projects are required to comply with all three scores.

Note also that Single Family New Construction projects are also subject to the Peak Cooling limitation that is shown onscreen and must comply with that fourth compliance metric.

Additions and Alterations are only required to comply with the LSCe score.

You can review two sample files we provide, the Multifamily Example.bld, we also provide a file  Multfamily Electric.bld Both are modeled at the Plant level of the tree, Domestic Hot Water tab.  Note this topic is ONLY applicable to Multifamily and Hotel/Motel guest room applications.  The CHPWH cannot serve other zone occupancies.

The inputs for the CHPWH are under Central HPWH and your choices include the following:

1. Residential NEEA rated Product – This would be a series of smaller scale tank style Water Heaters ganged together to meet the DHW needs.
2. Commerical Product – This would be a larger Tank style unit that has commercial ratings.  Currently the only choice in this product offering is the AO Smith 120 gal.
3. Single Pass Primary – This is a large instantaneous commercial single pass heat pump that will be combined with external storage tanks specified on the dialog.
4. Muti Pass Primary – This is a large instantaneous commercial multi pass heat pump that will be combined with external storage tanks specified on the dialog.  (note this choice will generally invoke a penalty, as the more efficient single pass system is used in the standard building)

Note when selecting from the list of models, we have NO control over that list, as they are provided by the CEC, if you do not find your model, you can use one from the end of the list marked as Generic

A system can optionally have a secondary loop provided, the configuration of the secondary loop is specified further down with the same options above, plus an option for an electric resistance storage tank.  The piping arrangement can be plumbed as parallel or series.

When the CHPWH option is checked, the water heater input at the top of the screen on the DHW tab is used to supply Nonresidential spaces, if the CHPWH feeds these spaces, we suggest that you create a dummy electric WH if necessary.

At the System level of the Building Tree, create a new Central System in the library.  The system type should be set to Air to Water Heat Pump.  Enter the Heating Capacity and COP in the Heating Tab, and the Cooling Capacity and EER in the Cooling Tab.

If the AWHP also supplies the Domestic Hot Water you should indicate as such when defining the AWHP and at the Plant level of the Building Tree, Domestic Hot Water tab, do not input a water heater.

We have two examples of this system in the Single Family AWHP.bld and the Multifamily AWHP.bld example files.

If you wish to make this a ground coupled system (geothermal), at the Plant level of the Building Tree, Hydronic tab, check the box for Ground Coupled.

For mini-split, multi-split and VRF systems the CEC Compliance Manager simulates these internally as a system equivalent to the standard minimum efficiency split system A/C with a fully ducted system in the attic, thus affording no credit towards compliance. When inputting these systems, each Outdoor unit should be input at the System level of the Tree as its own System, with the corresponding Zones. Do not worry about the indoor units. At the System level of the tree, Distribution tab, the unit should be identified as Mini-Split, Multi-Split or VRF, to ensure correct reporting.

You have the option to take additional compliance credit for these systems as a VCHP (Variable Capacity Heat Pump) system.  In the case of a VCHP, which requires an indoor unit installed in each habitable room over 150 sqft, we offer the checkbox at the System level of the Building Tree, Residential tab.  Note however that when using this feature, changing the efficiency will not impact the VCHP credit.

You will see the VCHP verification criteria on the CF1R under the ECC Features Summary, and a new section “Variable capacity heat pump compliance option – ECC Verification” on the CF1R, including a comprehensive list of ECC measures for verification.  Our sample file Single Family Mini-split Example  demonstrates this feature.

Appendix B of the VCHP CEC staff report is entitled VCHP Compliance Credit—Eligibility Verification Protocols. This document describes the criteria to be met and is available from the newly established CEC website dedicated to VCHP.

These occupancies are listed as exempt lighting under Section 140.6 of the code, and as such the lighting does  not appear on the reports, nor does it affect any calculated results.  Basically the lighting is subject to mandatory measures, but the quantity of lighting is unregulated and thus not reported.