Energy efficiency is thick with acronyms, and the Pacific Northwest adds a few of its own. This glossary defines the terms you'll encounter most often across the guides on this site and in official program materials. Definitions are written in plain language for newcomers; for formal definitions, consult the responsible organization.
Technology & Measures
These terms describe the physical measures that save energy in homes and buildings.
- HPWH (Heat Pump Water Heater) — a water heater that moves heat from surrounding air into the tank instead of using electric resistance, cutting water-heating energy by roughly two-thirds. See our HPWH guide.
- DHP (Ductless Heat Pump) — a "mini-split" heat pump that heats and cools without ductwork, ideal for retrofitting electrically heated homes. See our DHP guide.
- PTCS (Performance Tested Comfort Systems) — a Northwest quality-assurance approach that field-verifies heat pump and duct performance after installation.
- Envelope — the insulated, air-sealed shell of a building; improving it reduces heating and cooling needs.
- Retro-commissioning — systematically tuning an existing building's systems to work as intended, capturing low-cost savings.
Organizations & Framework
These terms name the institutions that fund, coordinate, and standardize efficiency in the region. Each is an independent organization; Conduit NW is not affiliated with any of them.
- BPA (Bonneville Power Administration) — a federal agency that markets Northwest hydropower and supports region-wide efficiency programs.
- NEEA (Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance) — a nonprofit alliance pursuing "market transformation" toward efficient products.
- Energy Trust of Oregon — an independent nonprofit delivering efficiency and renewable programs for certain Oregon and SW Washington utilities.
- RTF (Regional Technical Forum) — an advisory body that develops and vets the standardized energy-savings estimates programs rely on.
- Market Transformation — a strategy that shifts entire product markets toward efficiency so savings persist without ongoing subsidy.
Measurement & Programs
These terms come up when programs quantify and pay for savings.
- kWh (Kilowatt-hour) — the standard unit of electrical energy; efficiency savings are usually counted in kWh.
- Deemed / Prescriptive Savings — pre-approved savings values for common measures, enabling simple per-unit rebates.
- Custom Incentive — an incentive calculated for a specific, non-standard project based on modeled or measured savings.
- Benchmarking — comparing a building's energy use to peers, often via the EPA's ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager.
- Cost-Effectiveness — the test of whether a measure's savings justify its cost; central to how the region prioritizes efficiency.
Encountered a term we're missing? Suggest it through our contact page and we'll consider adding it.