The Cost-Effectiveness Explorer now supports impacts for existing building policies with a required flexible score!
This article will cover:
Where to see impacts
How these impacts are calculated
How to use these impacts
Where to View Flexible Policy Impacts
During Configuration: As you configure your requirements, you'll find impacts displayed at the bottom of your screen. These impacts model the effects of the requirements you've set on this page, for the vintage, climate zone, and building type selected.
Impacts Tab: For a holistic view of your policy's impact across all building types, climate zones, and vintages, navigate to the Impacts tab. Here, you can also delve deeper into the details by expanding the impacts table beneath the graph. This table allows you to examine impacts for both your required flexible score and individual mandatory measures, considering various vintages, building types, and climate zones.
Calculating Flexible Policy Impacts
These impacts are calculated by analyzing various combinations of measures that meet the required flexible score, and assuming that permit applicants prioritize cost reduction. From these least costly runs, two scenarios are assessed: one that includes measures calculated at burnout/replacement and one that excludes these measures. While burnout/replacement measures often offer significant energy savings at a low cost, they're only low cost when an applicant already needs to replace the equipment. We model this as occurring around 10% of the time, acknowledging its occasional occurrence but overall low likelihood.
Utilizing Flexible Impacts
There are several ways you can use these impacts during your policy process.
Policy Requirements Evaluation: Use impact estimates on your requirements screen to gauge the implementation cost for homeowners based on your policy's current configuration. Adjust requirements as necessary to optimize energy savings while keeping cost in mind.
Policy Collaboration and Revision: Utilize the Impacts chart and table to stimulate discussions regarding the potential outcomes achievable by implementing your policy within your jurisdiction, and to discuss the effects of various requirements options.
Policy Impact Reporting: Extract key metrics from your policy's impact forecasts to incorporate into Climate Action Plans and reports, aiding in tracking progress and showcasing the impact of your policy initiatives.
Understanding and utilizing these impacts empower you to craft more effective policies, considering cost, emissions reduction, and broader environmental implications.