Assessing the potential of ecobee smart thermostats to save energy through load shifting

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In 2014, buildings accounted for approximately 12% of Canadas greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Over 12% of households arecondominiums, which is projected to rise as high as 53% within the next 20 years. HVAC energy use represents more than half ofenergy consumption in these buildings, so reducing GHG emissions in this area can significantly affect building sector emissions.In Ontario, operational costs and GHG emissions associated with incremental electricity consumption during on-peak hours aremuch higher those associated with consumption during off-peak hours. As a result, shifting electrical load in multi-unit residentialbuildings (MURBs) to off-peak hours has the potential to reduce costs and GHG emissions. Additionally, studies have shown thatcentral heating plants often operate at lower efficiencies for low loading periods so flattening the boiler load profile can potentiallyimprove system efficiency and will reduce excessive cycling. Smart thermostats employing load shifting strategies can be used tooptimize space conditioning profiles to reduce costs and emissions. In order to determine the impact of load shifting andoccupancy-based control mechanisms in MURBs, 80 ecobee3 smart thermostats and energy monitoring equipment will beinstalled in two condominium buildings. This project will assess the how the smart thermostat's load shifting algorithm can reduceGHG emissions in MURBs and develop a model to estimate this impact in other buildings. The study can be used to developfuture evidence-based energy conservation and demand response programs for MURBs and will be used to adapt ecobee`stechnologies for use in the growing MURB sector.