Field Validation Results

DOE is committed to advancing the use of innovative technologies through robust testing, measurement verification, and dissemination of findings. This page provides information about completed and ongoing technology field validations in occupied, operational buildings; organizations can use these findings to make better decisions about new technologies to meet their energy reduction goals.

For details about the Industrial Technology Validation Program, click here.

Gaseous Air-Cleaning Technology
Published 2020

The HVAC Load Reduction (HLR) air cleaning technology, developed by enVerid, uses a solid regenerable sorbent material that removes a variety of gaseous contaminants from the air and can provide significant energy savings for some buildings in certain climates. Click MORE for details on building type, energy savings, and implementation.

Building Type(s)	Energy Savings	Application Timing
Commercial Buildings	Cooling system energy savings range from 6 to 37%.	Retrofit, New Construction

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Software-Controlled Switched Reluctance Motor
Published 2019

Smart Software-Controlled Switched Reluctance Motors integrate an innovative electric motor design with a programmable variable-frequency drive (VFD). Smart motors were found to be 4% more efficient than a premium motor combined with a VFD and cost about half as much. Click MORE for details on building type, energy savings, and implementation.

Building Type(s)	Energy Savings	Application Timing
Commercial Buildings	57 to 71% savings compared to a constant-speed induction motor. 11 to 33% compared to the same motor with VFD control.	Retrofit, End-of-Life Replacement

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Micro Combined Heat & Power (µCHP)
Published 2019

Micro combined heat and power (µCHP) systems with an electrical output of 50 kW or less have an efficiency of approximately 90% in converting the supplied natural gas to hot water and electricity, compared to 60% for a conventional system. Click MORE for details on building type, energy savings, and implementation.

Building Type(s)	Energy Savings	Application Timing
Commercial Buildings with high hot water usage: Multifamily, Lodging, Restaurants, Healthcare, Fitness	47% to 69% whole building energy savings.	Retrofit, New Construction

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Image of Medical Office Building in Avon, Connecticut Advanced Lighting Controls
Published 2018

Many new and existing advanced lighting control systems use LED technology to reduce energy use and costs. This study evaluated five advanced lighting control systems with features such as task tuning (also known as high-end trim), occupancy sensors, and daylighting controls. Click MORE for details on building type, energy savings, and implementation.

Building Type(s)	Energy Savings	Application Timing
Commercial - Office, Medical Office, Retail/Grocery & Brewery	66% lighting savings (average) for LED with all controls	Retrofit, New Construction

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image of man spraying the air barrier adhesive along joints and seams Air Barrier Adhesive
Published 2016

LIQUIDARMOR (^TM) CM Flashing and Sealant is a spray-applied sealant and liquid flashing and can span gaps that are up to a quarter inch wide without a supporting material. The product aims to improve the performance of air barrier systems by simplifying the installation procedure. Click MORE for details on building type, energy savings, and implementation.

Building Type(s)	Energy Savings	Application Timing
Commercial and Public Sector Buildings	9% whole building energy savings.	Retrofit, New Construction

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decorative graphic Energy Management Information System - Large Buildings
Published 2018

BuildingIQ Predictive Energy Optimization (PEO) technology is a software-as-a-service (SaaS) platform that optimizes commercial building HVAC control for system performance, occupant comfort, and cost using a learned predictive model of the building. Click MORE for details on building type, energy savings, and implementation.

Building Type(s)	Energy Savings	Application Timing
Large Commercial Buildings with BAS	At one site, 9% HVAC savings were quantified. At the other four sites, savings ranged from 0 to 2%.	Retrofit

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Low-Cost Circuit-Level Electrical Submetering System
Published 2021

The circuit-level analytics and submetering platform (CLASP), developed by Meazon, provides the ability to monitor individual circuits within an electrical panel in a building and provides detailed power and energy consumption data at a much more granular level than was previously achievable in a cost effective manner. Click MORE for details on building type, energy savings, and implementation.

Building Type(s)	Energy Savings	Application Timing
Commercial Buildings	The CLASP was able to provide high-resolution and accurate power and energy consumption data; total energy error was < 2%.	Retrofit, New Construction

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image of an intelligent socket used in the test Data-Driven Receptacle Control
Published 2019

The Ibis InteliNetwork™ Plug Load Management system enables users to measure and analyze device energy use and identify opportunities for reduction of plug load energy use. Click MORE for details on building type, energy savings, and implementation.

Building Type(s)	Energy Savings	Application Timing
Commercial Buildings - Office and Retail	Annual plug load reduction of 11% and 18% in two test locations.	Retrofit

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main entrance of Oak Ridge National Laboratory Energ y -Savin g Refrigeration System Motor
Published 2015

QM Power Q-Sync motors are designed to be higher performing and more cost-effective than traditional EC motors, as well as shaded-pole and PSC motors for 9-12 W evaporator fans in commercial refrigeration systems. Click MORE for details on building type, energy savings, and implementation.

Building Type(s)	Energy Savings	Application Timing
Supermarket/Grocery, Food Service, Convenience	Up to 68% vs. a traditional motor.	Retrofit, New Equipment Purchase

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picture of the Los Angeles City Hall Cooling Tower Chemical-Free Water Treatment
Published 2019

An alternative chemical-free water treatment technology from Dynamic Water Technologies LLC (DWT) and Universal Environmental Technologies (UET) significantly reduces blowdown water requirements for cooling towers. The system creates a favorable environment for precipitation of the concentrated minerals and creates conditions that kill biological growth while minimizing corrosion. Click MORE for details on building type, energy savings, and implementation.

Building Type(s)	Energy Savings	Application Timing
Commercial and Public Sector Buildings with cooling towers	20% water savings.	Retrofit

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Experts from DOE's National Laboratories analyze the latest research and development on a range of building technologies with the goal of providing market-ready solutions to partners.

DOE launched the Industrial Technology Validation program to help industry better identify and evaluate innovative technologies by hosting field validation testbeds.

Is your organization interested in working with DOE on a field validation test? Contact the Better Buildings & Better Plants Initiative to learn how you can get involved.

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