Energy savings from custom measures often are site and end-use specific and require a detailed analysis to qualify for a grant. Acceptable forms of documentation to support Custom project applications may include, energy modeling by a consultant or other third party, nameplate data on all existing systems, specification sheets for ALL proposed systems, detailed system design and drawings, predicted performance calculation verified by a professional engineer (P.E.), and/or EEIF for Non-Profits program approved calculator tools. For instance, ASHRAE 90.1-2016 Appendix G simulation may be used to demonstrate beyond-code energy performance, and ASHRAE’s energy cost budget method may be used to demonstrate energy cost avoidances. Failure to submit acceptable documentation will result in a determination of ineligibility.

In addition, retrofit lighting projects by themselves do not qualify for the Custom Grant program. Savings from retrofit lighting work may be included in a Custom application when combined with other end uses (space heating, space cooling, water heating, etc.), if they meet the following conditions. To qualify for “Multi-Tier”, 80% or more of the lighting must be dimmable as defined by the Design Lights Consortium (DLC). To qualify as an end-use for the Comprehensive Tier, lighting must include fixture-integrated or networked lighting controls.

A control system that only controls lighting is not an EMS. A control device / system that only establishes the space temperature and a setback temperature is not an EMS.

To qualify as an end use, measure must be a direct energy efficiency improvement; for example: a ventilation improvement would only qualify as ventilation (not heating or cooling despite interactive effects). Typically, the savings generated by these custom measures are site and end-use specific and require a detailed analysis to qualify for a grant. Recognizing this, Energize Delaware reserves the right to require a detailed system design and a predicted performance calculation verified by a professional engineer (P.E.).

Projects with energy savings solely from retro-commissioning (RCx) activities also are not eligible for the Custom Grant program. Preventative maintenance or system “tune-ups” are not RCx measures. To qualify for the Custom program, the RCx measure must have been identified in an energy assessment or RCx study performed by a qualified professional. Additionally, RCx activities are not eligible to “increase” the incentive tiers based on the number of end-uses. For example, a Custom project with a space heating end use measure (counting as one) and RCx measure implementation would qualify for the “Single Tier” incentive rate. This same project would require one (1) additional end-use measure to qualify for the “Multi-Tier” incentive rate, or two (2) additional end uses to reach the Comprehensive Tier incentive rate.