BUSINESS New Buildings
SMALL OFFICE
INCENTIVE WORKBOOK
SIMPLE SOLUTIONS FOR BIG ENERGY SAVINGS
Boost operating income and asset
value through energy efficiency
Energy Trust of Oregon knows that reducing
building energy use by installing energyefficient equipment and systems has been
shown to increase net operating income, or
NOI, and asset value. For example, according
to ENERGY STAR®, installing a highly efficient
variable refrigerant flow, or VRF, heating
system in a 40,000-square-foot office
building can save up to $0.34 per square foot
every year in energy costs, translating into an
additional NOI of $13,496. At a cap rate* of
eight percent, this results in a potential asset
value boost of $168,700. Energy-efficient
solutions also can contribute to enhanced
tenant comfort, higher occupancy rates and
lower operation and maintenance costs.
Energy Trust can help you capture these benefits
and earn cash incentives for energy-efficient
equipment and building practices with our market
solutions package for office buildings less than
70,000 square feet. Whether you’re planning
to build a new office or kicking off a major
renovation, it provides a simple way to identify
the best energy solutions for your office space.
* NOI divided by the sales price or value of a property expressed as a percentage.
Energy Trust outreach managers can offer input and feedback as you make energy-related
decisions and assist you in completing this workbook. If you have questions or need help
getting started, contact the outreach manager listed here.
Name
Email
Phone Number
1
HOW TO USE THIS WORKBOOK
What is the small office incentive package?
This package offers an all-in-one, step-by-step process for designing and selecting energy-efficient
systems and equipment that are cost-effective and qualify for cash incentives. To help you drive for the
deepest savings possible and maximize your incentive benefit, we have grouped the equipment and
practices to align with four efficiency tiers. There are base requirements that must be met to qualify
for incentives for each tier. You may then select additional electives to earn even higher incentives.
The table below presents the base incentive amount for each tier, as well as the incentive
levels when combined with electives. Incentives are calculated on a per-square-foot basis and
will depend on the equipment selected and the number of elective options you install.
BASE INCENTIVE
BASE + 2 ELECTIVES
BASE + 4 ELECTIVES
VERY BEST
n/a
n/a
$2.00/sq ft
BEST
$0.80/sq ft
$0.90/sq ft
$1.00/sq ft
BETTER
$0.35/sq ft
$0.45/sq ft
$0.55/sq ft
GOOD
$0.25/sq ft
$0.35/sq ft
$0.45/sq ft
Use this workbook throughout the course of your project to set efficiency targets, select equipment, estimate incentives
and facilitate communications and decision making. Your Energy Trust New Buildings outreach manager will work with
you to provide input and guidance on how to maximize the energy efficiency of your building and your incentives.
STEP 1
Review “Part 1: Lighting,” and select your lighting power density, or LPD,target.
STEP 2 Review “Part 2: HVAC,” and select your heating, ventilation & air conditioning, or HVAC, system.
STEP 3
Review “Part 3: Electives,” and select any additional equipment or systems you plan to install.
Project Name
Square Footage
The following pages present the options for lighting, HVAC and additional elective equipment and design
practices eligible for incentives. Please indicate the equipment you plan to install by completing the tables below.
HOW TO USE THIS WORKBOOK
2
PART 1: LIGHTING
Efficiency requirements
All projects must achieve a minimum lighting power density, or LPD, of 0.78 watts per square foot. This
represents a 15 percent reduction in LPD beyond what is required in the whole-building lighting power
allowance for office spaces in 2010 Oregon Energy Efficiency Special Code, or OEESC. Refer to Table
505.5.2(a) in the OEESC for further detail. If you use space-by-space lighting power allowances then you must
demonstrate an overall LPD reduction of 15 percent. Refer to Table 505.5.2(b) in the OEESC for further detail.
Elective option
Projects pursuing higher-efficiency targets can elect to achieve an LPD of 0.6825 watts per
square foot using whole-building lighting power allowances, or 25 percent beyond code
using the space-by-space allowances. See Part 3: Electives for further information.
Required documentation
Please submit the following documentation to Energy Trust along with your incentive application:
FF Lighting layouts and schedules
FF ComCheck documentation
FF Invoices
Project information
Please fill in the table below to indicate the LPD target you have selected.
LIGHTING
Square Footage of Office Space
PART 1: LIGHTING
Total Allowed Watts
(from ComCheck)
Total Proposed Watts
(from ComCheck)
Percentage Better than Code
Total Estimated Incentive $ 0
3
PART 2: HVAC
Selecting your HVAC system
Selecting an HVAC system and properly sizing the equipment is fundamental to
ensuring optimal building performance. Each of our HVAC options correspond to the
incentive tiers presented on page 2. The most common HVAC system types for office
buildings are detailed below. Once you have reviewed the options and requirements,
select your system and complete the corresponding project information tables.
All “good” and “better” HVAC options require economizers on units greater
than 5 tons. Installing economizers on all HVAC units, regardless of size, will
automatically qualify your project for the “better” incentive tier.
ECONOMIZERS
Economizer requirements*
• Economizers for packaged rooftop units must be factory installed.
• The damper motor must be fully modulating.
• The damper drive mechanism must consist of a direct modulating actuator with gear-driven
interconnections and a permanently lubricated bushing or bearing on the outside
and return dampers.
• The economizer must include a proportional damper control.
An economizer regulates and
optimizes the amount of outdoor
air brought into a building for
cooling and ventilation. This
cooling is often referred to as
"free cooling" because there is
no need for mechanical systems
to condition your building—
saving energy and money on
utility bills. Economizers also
improve indoor air quality by
reducing carbon dioxide levels.
Economizers are required by
code (503.3.1 and 503.4.1 ) on
units 5 tons and greater in size.
• The economizer must be locked out when in heating mode.
• There must be a dedicated thermostat stage for the economizer.
• The economizer control type must be differential dry-bulb, fixed dry-bulb,
differential enthalpy or dew point/dry-bulb temperature control.
• The economizer must include a changeover control with a setpoint/
dry-bulb limit of 65-75 degrees Fahrenheit, or °F.
• The economizer must provide relief air with a barometric damper in the
return air duct upstream of the return air damper, a motorized exhaust
air damper or an exhaust fan with backdraft dampers.
Elective option
• If selecting a “good” HVAC system, you may receive an elective credit by
installing an economizer on a three- or four-ton air conditioning unit.
* Contact Energy Trust for any exceptions.
PART 2: HVAC
Total Estimated Incentive $ 0
4
HVAC OPTIONS FOR BUILDINGS WITH GAS HEAT
(If your building has electric heat, please go to page 8.)
Check the box below that corresponds with your system type and efficiency goal.
Rooftop unit
FF GOOD
Efficient unit with 80 percent gas furnace and economizers
as required by code
FF BETTER
Efficient unit with 80 percent gas furnace and economizers
where not required by code
Split air conditioning system
FF GOOD
Efficient unit with 80 percent gas furnace and economizers
as required by code
FF BETTER OPTION 1
Efficient unit with 80 percent gas furnace and economizers where not required by code
FF BETTER OPTION 2 Efficient unit with 91 AFUE gas furnace and economizers
as required by code
Variable air volume system (VAV)
FF GOOD
VAV system with 80 percent boiler and economizers on units
as required by code
FF BETTER
VAV system with 92 percent efficient condensing boiler and economizers on units as required by code
Radiant heating and cooling system
FF VERY BEST
Radiant floor or ceiling panels with 91 percent gas boiler, high-efficiency heat recovery chiller or heat pump chiller, dedicated outdoor air system, or DOAS,
and FOUR electives
General efficiency requirements
Rooftop Unit Size
Cooling Efficiency
< 65,000 Btu/h
PSZ: 14 SEER/11.6 EER
Split system: 14 SEER/ 12 EER
> 65,000 Btu/h and < 135,000 Btu/h
11.5 EER/11.9 IPLV
> 135,000 Btu/h and < 240,000 Btu/h
11.5 EER/11.9 IPLV
PART 2: HVAC | OPTIONS FOR BUILDINGS WITH GAS HEAT
Gas Furnace Or
Boiler Efficiency Requirements
80-90% Thermal Efficiency, or AFUE, or
91% Thermal Efficiency/ 91% AFUE and
above for "better" systems
Total Estimated Incentive $ 0
5
Efficiency requirements for radiant heating and cooling for “very best” option
• The system must use active or inactive hydronic radiant panels or a
hydronic radiant floor to heat and cool conditioned spaces.
• Ventilation air must be provided by a DOAS.
• Hot water for heating must be supplied with a condensing boiler that has a minimum
efficiency of 90 AFUE (boilers < 300 kBtu/hr), 90 percent thermal efficiency (boilers between
300-2,500 kBtu/hr) or 90 percent combustion efficiency (boilers > 2,500 kBtu/hr).
• Chilled water must be supplied by an air- or water-cooled chiller exceeding code part-load and
peak efficiencies by a minimum of 10 percent at standard ARI test conditions. Refer to Table
503.2.3(7) in the OEESC for further detail.
• Hot water and chilled water temperatures must be reset based on demand.
• The chilled water loop must have high humidity lock-out.
Other requirements for “very best” system types
• The project team must participate in an early design planning and coordination meeting.
• The project team must submit the design to New Buildings for review.
• HVAC controls must be code compliant and have different temperature
schedules for occupied and unoccupied time periods.
VERY BEST OPTION
ELECTIVE
A DOAS is required for "very best"
incentives. If the system also
contains an energy recovery
wheel that is not required by
code, the project may request
an elective credit. To qualify, the
energy recovery wheel must have
energy recovery effectiveness
equal to or greater than 50
percent. Energy Trust staff will
review project information and
conduct calculations on a caseby-case basis to determine if this
qualifies as an elective. See page
14 for further information.
Program documentation
FF Mechanical schedules and/or cut sheets showing the cooling equipment
model number, size and cooling efficiency
FF Mechanical schedule and/or cut sheet indicating heating equipment size
and efficiency
FF Economizer documentation: economizer cut sheet, economizer controller
capabilities and temperature sensor cut sheets
FF Email from owner/contractor to certify that each of the economizer
requirements listed above has been met
FF Invoices
PART 2: HVAC | OPTIONS FOR BUILDINGS WITH GAS HEAT
Total Estimated Incentive $ 0
6
Project information
ROOFTOP UNITS AND VAV SYSTEMS
Quantity
AC Unit
Size
AC
Unit Efficiency
Heating
AC
Make and Model
Furnace/Boiler
Information
Cooling
Size
Economizer
on units where
not required
by code?
Furnace/Boiler
Make and Model
Efficiency






RADIANT HEATING AND COOLING
Supply water
temperature
reset based
on demand?
High
humidity
lockout on
chiller loop?



















Floor or Panel?
Boiler
Information
Floor
Panel
Size

Boiler
Make and Model
Efficiency
PART 2: HVAC | OPTIONS FOR BUILDINGS WITH GAS HEAT
Chiller
Information
Size
Chiller
Make and Model
Efficiency
Total Estimated Incentive $ 0
7
HVAC OPTIONS FOR BUILDINGS WITH ELECTRIC HEAT
Check the box below that corresponds with your system type and efficiency goal.
Packaged or split system heat pump
FF GOOD
Efficient unit and economizers on units as required by code
FF BETTER
Efficient unit and economizers where not required by code
VAV system
FF GOOD
Efficient VAV system with electric reheat or a hybrid heat source (e.g., gas furnace with electric reheat) and economizers as required by code
Other systems
FF BEST OPTION 1
Efficient VRF heat pump with a DOAS.
FF BEST OPTION 2
Efficient water source heat pump, or WSHP, with a DOAS.
FF VERY BEST
Radiant floor or ceiling panels with efficient heat pump chiller or heat recovery chiller, condensing gas boiler, DOAS and FOUR electives
Efficiency requirements for "good" and "better" system types
Heat Pump Size
Cooling Efficiency
Heating
Efficiency
< 65,000 Btu/h
14 SEER/12 EER
8.5 HSPF
> 65,000 Btu/h and < 135,000 Btu/h
11.5 EER/11.9 IPLV
3.4 COP
> 135,000 Btu/h and < 240,000 Btu/h
11.5 EER/11.9 IPLV
3.2 COP
Efficiency requirements for VAV systems
Air Handling Unit Size
Cooling Efficiency
< 65,000 Btu/h
PSZ: 14 SEER/11.6 EER
> 65,000 Btu/h and < 135,000 Btu/h
11.5 EER/11.9 IPLV
> 135,000 Btu/h and < 240,000 Btu/h
11.5 EER/11.9 IPLV
> 240,000 Btu/h and < 760,000 Btu/h
10.5 EER/10.9 IPLV
≥ 760,000 Btu/h
9.7 EER/11.0 IPLV
PART 2: HVAC | OPTIONS FOR BUILDINGS WITH ELECTRIC HEAT
Total Estimated Incentive $ 0
8
Requirements for all “very best” and “best” system types
• Project team must participate in early design planning and coordination meeting.
• Project team must submit the design to Energy Trust for review.
• HVAC controls must be code compliant and have different temperature schedules
for occupied and unoccupied time periods.
System-specific efficiency requirements for “very best”
and “best” system types
Radiant heating and cooling systems
• The system must use active or inactive hydronic radiant panels or a hydronic radiant floor
to heat and cool conditioned spaces.
• Ventilation air must be provided by a DOAS.
• Hot water for heating must be supplied with a heat recovery chiller or heat pump chiller
exceeding code minimum efficiency by at least 10 percent. Refer to Section 503.2.3 of
the OEESC for further detail.
• Hot water and chilled water temperatures must be reset based on demand.
• The chilled water loop must have high humidity lock-out.
VERY BEST & BEST
OPTION ELECTIVES
A DOAS is required for "best"
and "very best" incentives. If
the system also contains an
energy recovery wheel that
is not required by code, the
project may request an elective
credit. To qualify, the energy
recovery wheel must have
energy recovery effectiveness
equal to or greater than 50
percent. Energy Trust staff will
review project information and
conduct calculations on a caseby-case basis to determine if
this qualifies as an elective. See
page 14 for further information.
For variable refrigerant flow systems
• Systems must meet CEE Tier 1 efficiency requirements for IEER, EER, and COP.
Variable Refrigerant Flow Heat Pump Size
Cooling Efficiency:
Heating
Efficiency:
< 65,000 Btu/h
14 SEER/12 EER
8.5 HSPF
> 65,000 Btu/h and < 135,000 Btu/h
11.1 EER/14.0 IEER
3.4 COP
> 135,000 Btu/h and < 240,000 Btu/h
10.7 EER/13.5 IEER
3.2 COP
> 240,000 Btu/h
10.1 EER/12.3 IEER
3.2 COP
• The system must provide ventilation air by using a DOAS.
Water source heat pump systems
• Systems must meet CEE Tier 1 efficiency requirements.
• Systems must have a cooling efficiency of 14 EER.
• Systems must have a heating efficiency of 4.6 COP.
• Projects installing a WSHP system with a back-up supplemental
boiler must install a condensing boiler with a minimum efficiency of 91 AFUE, 91 percent
thermal efficiency or 91 percent combustion efficiency (depending on
boiler size).
• Ventilation air must be provided by a DOAS.
PART 2: HVAC | OPTIONS FOR BUILDINGS WITH ELECTRIC HEAT
Total Estimated Incentive $ 0
9
Required documentation
FF Email from owner/contractor to certify that each of the economizer requirements listed
on page 4 has been met
FF Mechanical schedules and/or cut sheets showing the equipment model number, size,
heating efficiency and cooling efficiency
FF Energy recovery ventilator cut sheets/documentation
FF Economizer documentation (economizer cut sheet, economizer controller capabilities and
temperature sensor cut sheets)
FF Invoices
Project information
HEAT PUMP
Quantity
HP Size (tons)
HP Efficiencies
HSPF/COP
Economizer
on units not
required
by code?
HP Make and Model
SEER/EER



VAV SYSTEMS
Air Handling Unit Size
Cooling Efficiency Requirements
Electric Heating or Hybrid?
SEER
Heat
PART 2: HVAC | OPTIONS FOR BUILDINGS WITH ELECTRIC HEAT
EER
IPLV
Total Estimated Incentive $ 0
Hybrid




10
VARIABLE REFRIGERANT FLOW OR WSHP
Quantity
VRF Outdoor
Condensing Unit or
WSHP Size (Btu/h)
Heating/Cooling
Efficiencies
HSPF
VRF Outdoor Unit(s) Make, Model and
Capacity
VRF Indoor Unit(s) Make, Model and
Capacity
SEER
RADIANT HEATING AND COOLING
Radiant Floor or
Radiant Panel?
Heat Pump Chiller or
Heat Recovery Chiller
Information
Size
Heat Pump Chiller or Heat Recovery Chiller Make and Model
Supply water
High humidity
temperature
lockout on
reset based on
chiller loop?
demand?
Floor
Panel
Efficiency












PART 2: HVAC | OPTIONS FOR BUILDINGS WITH ELECTRIC HEAT
Total Estimated Incentive $ 0
11
PART 3: ELECTIVES
The following tables present elective options you may select to achieve additional incentives. Please indicate
the electives you plan to install in the tables below and provide the corresponding installation details.
LIGHTING
Check
to select

Which method
are you using?
Whole Building
LPD
• For Interior Lighting Power
Method (OEESC Table
505.5.2(a)), install a LPD <
0.68W/sq ft
 Interior
Baseline:
• For Space-by-Space
Method (OEESC Table
505.5.2(b)), a 25%
reduction in whole building
LPD is required.
 Space-by-
Elective
Requirements
Air Barrier Material
Air barrier
• Seal building envelope
joints, seams,
penetrations, openings
and other junctions to limit
infiltration.
Elective
Requirements
LPD 25% better
than code
Lighting
Power
Installed Fixture Types?
Proposed:
Space
Required
Documentation
• Lighting plans
and lighting
schedule
• ComCheck
documentation
• Invoices
ENVELOPE
Check
to select

Installed Make and Model
• Photos of air barrier
being installed
(before walls/building
is closed)
• Architectural
drawings and sections
illustrating the details
of the air barrier
• Air barrier materials must
have an air permeability no
more than 0.004 cfm/ft2
under a DP of 0.3 in water.
• Air barrier project
specifications
(from construction
documents)
• Refer to Section 606.1.2
of the 2011 Oregon Reach
Code for more information
(www.bcd.oregon.gov/
committees/11reachcode/
Oregon_Reach_Code.pdf).
PART 3: ELECTIVES
Documentation
Total Estimated Incentive $ 0
12
HVAC
Check
to select

Elective
Requirements
Static pressure
reduction
• Using a turning vane.
Installed Make and Model
Documentation
• Narrative indicating
methods used for
static pressure
reduction, the amount
by which static
pressure is reduced
and final static
pressure.
• Additional options for
reducing static pressure
include:
»» Using a round or oval
duct wherever possible
to lower leakage and
reduce pressure loss
»» Use of relief fans in lieu
of return fans where
possible
»» Using automatic
dampers on exhaust
in lieu of dampers to
reduce fan power
DOMESTIC HOT WATER
Check
to select
Installed
Quantity
Elective
Requirements
Installed Make and Model
Documentation

Heat pump water
heater
ENERGY STAR
• Equipment cut sheets
and invoices

Condensing tank
water heater
91% thermal efficiency or EF
• Equipment cut sheets
and invoices

Tankless gas
water heater
• Input capacity of
equipment < 200 kBtu/h
• Equipment cut sheets
and invoices
• 0.82 EF
PART 3: ELECTIVES
Total Estimated Incentive $ 0
13
PLUG LOADS
Check
to select

Requirements
Phantom load
reduction
• 50% of all installed
office equipment
must be ENERGY
STAR rated or other
energy plug load
reduction strategies
must be employed.
E.g., providing laptops
versus desktops to all
employees.
• Project documentation,
specifications or narrative
• 50% of all installed
office equipment must
be ENERGY STAR
rated
• Project documentation,
specifications or narrative
Peak plug load
reduction

# Advanced Power
Strips Installed or
Controlled Receptacles
Elective
Installed Make and Model
Documentation
• Furniture layout
• Electrical plans
• Invoices
• Purchasing agreement
that indicates future
equipment purchases will be
ENERGY STAR (if applicable)
• Energy management
installed on all
computers
• Invoices
HIGH PERFORMANCE WINDOWS
Check
to select

Elective
Requirements
Performance of
Installed Windows
Documentation
High performance
windows
• U-Value < 0.42
U-Value:
• Window cut sheets
• SHGC < 0.37
• Architectural drawings/specifications
detailing glazing requirements
SHGC:
SPECIAL MEASURES (FROM 520SM)*
Check
to select


Elective
Description
Documentation
Heat Recovery on
dedicated outdoor air
system, or DOAS
Energy recovery wheel, or ERV, must have
energy recovery effectiveness equal to or
greater than 50 percent
• Mechanical schedules
Additional special
measures
• Completed Form 520SM
• Incremental cost
• Invoices
*Special measures refer to design features that are not defined in this workbook, but may qualify for incentives. Energy Trust will assess these on a case-by-case basis.
Energy Trust of Oregon 421 SW Oak St, Suite 300, Portland, Oregon 97204 1.866.368.7878 503.546.6862
fax energytrust.org
Energy Trust of Oregon is an independent nonprofit organization dedicated to helping utility customers benefit from saving energy and tapping renewable resources. Our services, cash incentives and energy solutions
have helped participating customers of Portland General Electric, Pacific Power, NW Natural and Cascade Natural Gas save on energy costs. Our work helps keep energy costs as low as possible, creates jobs and builds
a sustainable energy future. 8/14
PART 3: ELECTIVES
Total Estimated Incentive $ 0
14