U.S. Department of Energy Webinar for Evaluators and Utilities Early Replacement Program for Refrigerators

DOE is hosting a webinar for evaluators and utilities to review a rebate program for the early replacement of refrigerators. This proposal was developed by the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM). AHAM’s proposal builds on traditional appliance rebate programs undertaken at the state level, but calls for explicitly linking purchase and disposal rebates in order to enhance energy savings and reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG), simplify program management, and streamline EM&V efforts. 

AHAM has conducted a detailed analysis of this approach that uses a decision-tree methodology to calculate energy savings and GHG reductions, accounting for free-ridership and other key parameters. Elements of this methodology are derived from DOE’s Uniform Methods Project protocol for refrigerator recycling and use data from the DOE-managed State Energy-Efficient Appliance Rebate Program (SEEARP). The AHAM decision-tree approach could provide a basis for a model protocol and EM&V measures that program sponsors may use to meet state or local energy savings targets.

During the webinar, AHAM will provide an in-depth presentation of the methodology it employed, the data-sources it drew from and its projections of energy savings and GHG benefits. The target audience for this webinar is evaluators and utility representatives who can offer their insights into the methodology and assumptions used in the derivation of the benefits developed by AHAM. DOE neither endorses nor objects to this methodology but looks to webinar participants to provide their insights and comments on this proposed program. DOE intends to release a report based on the webinar discussion. 

Please contact Kyle Barry (kyle.barry@ee.doe.gov) or David Lee, Program Manager for the DOE Residential Buildings Integration Program, with any questions or concerns about the webinar.