High-Performance HVAC Market Progress Evaluation Report 1 

The Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA) contracted with NMR Group and Apex Analytics to complete the first Market Progress Evaluation Report (MPER) of NEEA’s High-Performance HVAC program. The High-Performance HVAC program promotes very high efficiency dedicated outside air systems (DOAS), a technology that can dramatically reduce energy consumption in commercial buildings. As the initiative’s first MPER, the evaluation established baseline measurements to assess market awareness and adoption of very high efficiency DOAS systems via surveys, interviews and material reviews.

The study found that HVAC system designers generally view the practices promoted by NEEA as aligned with industry best practices, signaling strong foundational support for the very high efficiency DOAS approach. While some designers are still evaluating cost and performance considerations, the approach is gaining traction, particularly in Washington, where code updates have encouraged broader adoption. Findings also indicate that NEEA’s trainings were found to be high quality and effective in raising awareness and equipping professionals with the knowledge needed to implement these systems.