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EmPCalc v8.4 Release

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To: All Participating Contractors
Regarding Programs: EmPower New York & Assisted Home Performance
Summary: EmPCalc v8.4 Release
Contact: Earl Hicks ([email protected]), Steve Smith ([email protected]) or Contractor Support: [email protected]

EmPCalc v8.4 will be available on March 10. Only new projects, those not previously submitted for review, may use EmPCalc v8.4. Approved projects and those previously submitted for review but were returned must continue using the EmPCalc version the project was submitted with and cannot be rolled back to use v8.4.

Notable updates include:

  • Updated Measure Pricing
  • Updated Fuel Rates
  • Mileage Rate adjusted to 2023 IRS Standard of $0.655
  • Updated to meet NYS Technical Resource Manual v10 released on January 1, 2023
  • Updated to meet new federal standards for consumer heat pumps and central air conditioners
  • Added SEER2, EER2 and HSPF2 inputs for ASHP, GSHP and CAC

EmPCalc

Effective March 28, 2022, program changes launched that require a new version of EmPCalc (v8.1.4+) to be used on projects that have new customer applications. The new program rules apply only to projects for customers whose applications have been received on or after March 28, 2022. By design, this means there will be a transition period where some projects will continue to be accepted under the old program rules while projects for new applicants must be submitted under the new program rules.

All customers who have applications submitted on or before March 27 will participate in EmPower and AHP under existing rules including using EmPCalc v6.9 or another approved modeling tool. Project submissions for customers who apply on or after March 28th must be submitted using EmPCalc v8.1.6.1 or later. These versions are mandatory upgrades and contain updated EmPower-Tier 1 pricing.

Versioning: The latest versions are below:

  • EmPCalc v6.9.1 → rev. 06.30.2022 – Projects that had applications submitted on or before March 27, 2022. 
  • EmPCalc v8.4 → rev. 3.10.2023 – Projects that had applications submitted on or after March 28, 2022.

Updates and enhancements are being made and issued as quickly as possible resulting in versions being released frequently. For the best experience download and use the latest version.

Guidance Regarding Microsoft Security Risk Message

Feedback:  We need your feedback to make this tool better. All constructive feedback should be sent to Earl Hicks ([email protected]) and Steve Smith ([email protected]) with the following information:

  1. Contractor Name
  2. Project ID
  3. EmPCalc version being used
  4. Explanation of issue
  5. Screen shots as applicable

Version Updates:

**NEW Version** 8.4

General:

  • Mileage rate has been updated

Energy Efficiency Upgrades:

  • Fixed an issue with the heating/cooling overrides for GSHP
  • Edited the insulation, heat pump water heater, and duct sealing formulas to capture the SEER from heat pumps if applicable
  • Fixed issues affecting incentives for Distribution Improvements
  • Fixed issues affecting incentives for Boiler Pipe Insulation
  • Adjusted the Pellet Stove Tier 3 incentive cap on Measure list from an incorrect $2000 to a corrected $1000
  • Edited the insulation, heat pump water heater, and duct sealing formulas to capture the SEER from heat pumps if applicable

Non-Energy Upgrades:

  • Fixed issues prohibiting the use of cost override on Dryer Vents and Bath Fan Venting on Tier 1 projects
  • Fixed issues affecting well pump replacement and ventilation fan incentives

Pre-Install Measure Report:

  • Fixed issues affecting quantities for bath/dryer fans

6.9.1

Cover:

  • Changed IRS updated Mileage rate

EmPCalc Versioning History

Modeling Limitations in 6.8: Development of EmPCalc is ongoing, there are still some measures that cannot yet be modeled. We will continue to add capabilities (see list below) and roll them out as they are completed. For projects needing the capabilities listed an alternate modeling software will need to be used. 

  • Boiler pipe insulation
  • Duct Insulation
  • Duct Sealing
  • Dehumidifier
  • Windows
  • Storm Windows
  • Window Insulation
  • Exterior Doors
  • Storm Doors
  • Dishwasher
  • Clothes Washer
  • Clothes Dryer*
  • Multiple water heater replacements
  • Multiple heating system replacements
  • Any insulation surfaces that are not in the current insulation drop-down menus or any unique insulation scenarios cannot currently be modeled in HPXML Compliant EmPCalc. Alternative modeling software will need to be used.

*Note: The NY HP Portal does not support clothes dryer improvements. While the measure was left in EmPCalc, it should only be used on EmPower projects not HPwES or AHP or Market Rate projects. If the measure is mistakenly exported into a .XML file and uploaded to the HP Portal the user will receive the error below. To fix this error simply delete the dryer data on the Dryer Conversion tab.

  • Measure ‘clothes-dryer-measure-1’ must have between 1 and 1 installed_system system(s) only, or a valid MeasureCode

Notes Tab:  The Notes Section (tab) in this version of EmPCalc works differently than the non-HPXML compliant EmPCalc in that you cannot edit the notes.  The Notes tab in our HPXML compliant EmPCalc is used as a catch-all for notes entered throughout EmPCalc.  For example, if you were to propose a Health & Safety measure on the Health & Safety tab, under the measure description, that description would populate in the Notes tab.  If there are notes that you would like our Reviewers to see please enter them directly in the NYHP Portal.

References: