SolaHD Technical Note: DOE2016 Transformers Manuals & Guides

UNDERSTAND THE IMPACT

ENERGY EFFICIENT TRANSFORMERS

TRANSFORMERS POWER INDUSTRIAL, COMMERCIAL AND
RESIDENTIAL APPLICATIONS. THEY REMAIN A KEY AND ESSENTIAL
PART OF OUR NATION’S ELECTRICAL INFRASTRUCTURE.

“What are the new DOE Energy Efciency levels that will be in effect next year for U.S. transformers? And how
will that affect my SolaHD transformers?”

Improving the energy efciency of distribution transformers is a goal of the U.S. Department of Energy
(DOE). They have the legal authority to dene efciency levels and enforce compliance. In addition,
environmentally conscious consumers and individuals also recognize that buying a higher energy
efciency transformer will have both a nancial and environmental impact in the coming years.

SolaHD manufactures transformers of unsurpassed quality, right here in the United States. We know
transformers are a key part of the U.S. infrastructure. Our low-voltage, dry-type models will meet the
new DOE 2016 energy-efciency requirements for distribution transformers.

Appleton Grp LLC d/b/a Appleton Group. The SolaHD and Emerson logos are registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Ofce. All other product or service names are the property of their registered owners. © September 2015, Appleton Grp LLC. All rights reserved.

DOE 2016 LEGISLATION.

The DOE has worked over the last few years to establish new and more stringent energy efciency levels for distribution transformers. The
legislation took effect January 1, 2016 making these new levels mandatory. This new law primarily affects three-phase efciency levels. Single­phase levels will remain the same. Please refer to the table below for the efciency levels which apply to the low-voltage dry-type transformers
that SolaHD manufactures; these are distribution transformers that include low temperature rise, K-Factor and general purpose. There are
additional distribution transformers affected. Those are dened in the DOE’s CFR (Code of Federal Regulations) title 10, part 431 (also known
as DOE 10 CFR p431). It was published in the Federal Register Vol. 78, No. 75 on Thursday April 18, 2013. According to the DOE, the new
efciency levels are expected to reduce energy losses by an average of 18% in low-voltage dry-type distribution transformers over the current
TP-1 efciency levels over the life of the new program. To help put these benets in perspective, over a 30 year period the DOE projects energy
savings up to 3.63 quadrillion BTUs and $12.9 billion. In addition, about 265 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions will be avoided,
that’s equivalent to the annual greenhouse gas emissions of about 52 million automobiles.

DOE 2016 ENERGY EFFICIENCY LEVELS

Note: Efciency testing is done at 35% loading.

Single-Phase Three-Phase

kVA Eff % kVA Eff %

15 97.7 15 97.89
25 98 30 98.23

37.5 98.2 45 98.4
50 98.3 75 98.6
75 98.5 112.5 98.74

100 98.6 150 98.83
167 98.7 225 98.94

300 99.02
500 99.14

Some effects of the legislation:

A transformer under normal operation is always energized, thus making any energy efciency improvements more signicant over an extended
period of time. This means that customers will be rewarded in two ways:

1. They are reducing greenhouse gas emissions and there is an economic payback through reduced energy costs overtime. Considering the
life expectancy of a transformer and the fact that the transformer will be on 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for the next 25-30 years, even
small energy efciency improvements will pay dividends over the life of the transformer.

2. It will generate less heat. In many cases this translates into lower costs to cool the environment in which they are utilized equating into
more savings not easily identied in calculations.

It is important to note that the mandated energy efciency levels are already hovering around 98-99%, depending on the type of transformer
and ratings. This means that any further efciency improvements become more challenging to achieve. Typically they will require more and/
or better core and conductor materials. In most cases, this will directly impact the cost of the transformer. However, as noted above, there is
an economic benet to offset the higher initial transformer costs overtime. SolaHD is making every effort to optimize our DOE 2016 designs to
minimize cost impacts, but expect prices to be higher throughout the transformer industry.

HOW SolaHD IS SUPPORTING THIS LEGISLATION AND OUR CUSTOMERS.

The end result of the new legislation is a lower environmental impact and a cost savings derived from decreased energy use for our customers.
SolaHD supports this change, and the environmental benets our society will receive as a result. SolaHD has a long tradition as a high quality,
U.S. manufacturer of low voltage general purpose distribution transformers. We are proud to offer transformers meeting the most stringent
energy efciency requirements today.

www.solahd.com
Customer Services: 1.800.377.4384 Option 1 | [e-mail]
Technical Services: 1.800.377.4384 Option 2 | [e-mail]
Cross Reference: www.emersonindustrial.com/en-US/egselectricalgroup/aboutus/crossreference/Pages/ccr.spx

Appleton Grp LLC d/b/a Appleton Group. The SolaHD and Emerson logos are registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Ofce. All other product or service names are the property of their registered owners. © September 2015, Appleton Grp LLC. All rights reserved.