Texas Electric Choice Act of 1999 (also called Senate Bill 7):
Calls for a reduction in statewide energy consumption through market–based standard offer programs and limited market transformation programs. 

• This is the legislation that began the energy efficiency programs
• Sets mandated energy demand goals for the transmission and distribution portion of the electric companies. TXU Electric delivery annual goal is 10% reduction in system demand growth
• The electric companies report their energy savings to the PUCT annually.

PUCT - Public Utility Commission of Texas;  The regulatory agency for electricity companies. See: www.puc.state.tx.us/

ESI ID -  Electric Service Identifier; In the Oncor electric delivery area, it is a 17 digit number and it starts with  1044372000xxxxxxx.  The ESI ID is a unique number for the property address. Found on a customer’s electric bill.

Electric Meter - Device attached to the outside of the house that measures your electricity usage. This is how the Utility companies measure your consumption. Most meters are analog(spin dials) and now there are new digital meters being installed.

Meter # - 8 digit number located on electric meter. Also has a brand such as: General Electric, Westinghouse, Landis and Gyr, etc.

HVAC - Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning.  The proper terminology for a central (i.e. ducted) heating/cooling system.  See: wiki - HVAC for information on how an HVAC system works

Condensing Unit - Also referred to as “Condensor”, or “Compressor”. This is the outside unit. Responsible for the cooling portion of the system.

Air Handler/Furnace - This is the inside unit. Responsible for producing air that is generated throughout the duct system, and is responsible for generating heat when needed.

DOE - Department of Energy. See:  www.doe.gov

Insulation – Materials used (such as cellulose, fiberglass, polyurethane, etc.) to slow heat transfer. Located in floors, walls, attic, etc.  The higher the R-value, the more resistant the area is to heat transfer. The DOE recommends an R-value for Texas in the attics to be AT LEAST and R-38 or above. 

• See: wiki - Insulation

Radiant Barrier – A material that actually REFLECTS the sun’s radiant energy from entering the structure. Sprayed on the underside of the roof. We use a product called “E-Barrier” , from Sherwin Williams. This is NOT a measure that is part of the contract with the Electric Utility Providers.  

Energy Efficiency Installation Measures -  A set of PUCT approved energy efficiency installations for which a reduction in energy demand is achieved.  The measure we do for every house is called “Duct Efficiency”. We also do “Air Infiltration Reduction” and “Attic Insulation”.  Radiant Barrier is NOT an approved installation.

Duct Blaster - Device we use to measure the amount of air loss in CFM’s in the duct system.

• CFM = cubic feet/minute of air loss

Blower Door - Device that measures the amount of air loss in the building structure. 

Duct Efficiency - A PUCT approved energy efficiency installation that after our work, will reduce leakage in the duct system. Typically, houses are losing between 25 to 50% of their air, causing increased stress on the unit, temperature differentials in rooms, and much higher electric bills than needed. See handout for the different types of duct efficiency terms. A MINIMUM of 3 measures are required. We do a “leakage to outside, duct pressurization test” to measure the amount of air loss in the duct system. We have to achieve AT LEAST 90% efficiency (or 10% or less air loss) for the system to “pass”.  The numbers are based on the condensor size in tons. 1 ton = 400 CFM.  See AirFlow Requirements handout for air flow requirements based on condensing unit size. 

Air Infiltration Reduction (also called “Weatherization”) -  A PUCT approved energy efficiency installation that after our work, will have at LEAST a 10% reduction in air loss of the structure. Some of the measures we do to achieve the 10% reduction are:  caulking windows, door weatherstripping, sealing furnace closet, sealing plumbing penetrations, etc.  We use the Blower Door, in a “depressurization” test to measure the amount of air loss in CFM’s.  A building that is one story is considered “tight” if the CFM’s are close to the sq. ft. of the structure.  See handout for a list of air infiltration measures.