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Energy & Climate Resilience

Peak Load Shaver

Smart controls, storage, and demand response coordinate the home with grid peak-load signals.

Peak Load Shaver (placeholder seal) PLS PLACEHOLDER

Description

The Peak Load Shaver badge recognizes homes that actively coordinate with grid peak-load signals to reduce demand during the dirtiest, most expensive hours — typically late afternoons in summer and early mornings in winter. Where the Platinum-tier Time-of-Use requirement asks for smart appliances and TOU enrollment, this badge asks for measurable, automated load shifting backed by storage where applicable.

The badge benefits the project (lower utility bills under TOU rates), the grid (less peaker generation), and the carbon profile of every kWh consumed (peak hours = highest marginal emissions intensity in most U.S. markets). It is one of the few badges where the grid externalities are as large as the on-site savings.

Required standard requirements

To earn this badge, the project must meet all of the following existing GreenStar requirements:

Additional badge criteria

Beyond the required standard requirements above, the project must also satisfy:

Automated load coordination

  1. 01.

    At least four of the following major loads must support automated, scheduled, or demand-response control: HVAC, heat-pump water heater, EV charger, electric dryer, dishwasher, pool/spa pump, irrigation pump. Smart-home hub or utility-controlled DR interface required.

  2. 02.

    Heat-pump water heater operating in load-shift mode (heat-up scheduled to off-peak hours, holding through peak) — verified by 7-day load profile.

  3. 03.

    EV charger configured to charge during off-peak hours by default, with the schedule documented in the EV-app or charger configuration.

  4. 04.

    HVAC setpoint pre-cooling (summer) or pre-heating (winter) during shoulder hours to reduce peak-hour cycling.

Storage (where present)

  1. 01.

    If battery storage is installed, system must operate in time-of-use arbitrage mode (charge off-peak, discharge during peak) — not just backup mode. Self-consumption-only mode does not qualify.

  2. 02.

    Minimum usable capacity: 5 kWh dispatchable per peak event.

  3. 03.

    Storage inverter must be programmable from a homeowner-accessible interface — utility-controlled-only systems require documented homeowner override capability.

Utility programs

  1. 01.

    Project must be enrolled in a utility Time-of-Use rate plan where one is available (state retail-choice projects: enroll with a TOU-equivalent retail supplier).

  2. 02.

    Where the local utility offers a demand-response or direct-load-control program covering the controlled loads, enrollment is encouraged but not strictly required.

Verification

  1. 01.

    Submit a 7-day load profile (15-minute interval data from utility meter, AMI portal, or whole-home monitor) showing peak-hour kW demand reduction of at least 30% vs. baseline off-grid-naive equivalent.

  2. 02.

    Baseline calculated from the home's modeled energy use (HERS, BeOpt, equivalent) assuming flat dispatch.

  3. 03.

    12-month true-up acceptable for renovation projects without a settled baseline.

Documentation

  1. 01.

    Smart-appliance inventory listing model numbers, DR capabilities (CTA-2045, ENERGY STAR Connected, OCPP for EV chargers), and schedule configuration.

  2. 02.

    Utility statement or screenshot confirming TOU rate enrollment.

  3. 03.

    7-day or 30-day load profile data export from the utility AMI portal or whole-home monitor.

  4. 04.

    Storage configuration screenshot showing TOU arbitrage mode active (if applicable).

Verification by tier

Evidence the project team submits at each certification tier. Cumulative — higher tiers include everything below unless noted otherwise.

  1. Certified

    Self-attestation
    • 01.

      Smart-appliance inventory listing model numbers and DR capabilities (CTA-2045, ENERGY STAR Connected, OCPP for EV chargers).

  2. Silver

    Documents + photos
    • 01.

      Utility statement or screenshot confirming TOU rate enrollment.

    • 02.

      Storage configuration screenshot showing TOU arbitrage mode active (if storage installed).

    • 03.

      Schedule configuration screenshots for HPWH, EV charger, and HVAC pre-cool/pre-heat.

  3. Gold

    Third-party test
    • 01.

      7-day 15-minute interval load profile from utility AMI portal or whole-home monitor showing peak-hour kW reduction.

    • 02.

      Baseline calculation referenced to the home's modeled flat-dispatch use (HERS / BeOpt output).

  4. Platinum

    Post-occupancy verification
    • 01.

      12-month load profile with verified peak-hour kW reduction ≥ 30% vs baseline, signed by rater.

    • 02.

      Annual demand-response participation confirmation where the home is enrolled in a utility DR program.

Energy & Climate Resilience Required from Platinum Resilience Peak Load Shaver

Time-of-Use / Peak-Load Appliances

Major appliances support time-of-use scheduling and/or peak-load avoidance.

Scope

Major-load appliances: HVAC, water heater, EV charger, electric dryer, dishwasher, and (where present) battery storage system.

Requirements

  1. 01.

    At least the major-load appliances above (where installed) must support time-of-use scheduling, demand response, or peak-load avoidance — via smart-appliance controls, smart-home hub, or utility demand-response program.

  2. 02.

    Where the local utility offers TOU rates, the project must be enrolled in a TOU rate plan.

Documentation

Evidence the inspector / Institute will need.

  1. 01.

    Inventory of installed smart appliances with model numbers, listing the demand-response or scheduling capability of each (e.g. CTA-2045 compliant water heater, ENERGY STAR Connected dryer, ChargePoint EV charger with TOU scheduling).

  2. 02.

    Confirmation of utility TOU rate enrollment (utility statement or screenshot).

  3. 03.

    Photo or screenshot showing scheduling configured in the smart-home hub.

Guidance

Why this matters at Platinum

A home that consumes the same kWh as the grid average but shifts those kWh off-peak avoids 30-60% of the carbon intensity of grid power (peak hours = dirtiest marginal generation in most U.S. markets). It also unlocks 10-40% savings on the utility bill under TOU rates. Without smart appliances, this is impractical to achieve manually.

Resources

  • CTA-2045 — Modular Communication Interface for Energy Management

    The open standard for utility-controllable appliances. Most newer HPWHs and EV chargers support it.

  • ENERGY STAR Connected Products →

    Searchable list of appliances with verified smart-connectivity features.

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Solar- and EV-Ready Electrical Service

200-amp breaker box with capacity to add future solar PV and electric-vehicle chargers.

Scope

The main electrical service panel and the conduit/wiring runs from panel to roof and panel to the EV-charging location.

Requirements

  1. 01.

    Main service must be at least 200 amps.

  2. 02.

    Panel must have a dedicated 60A+ breaker space reserved for future solar PV interconnection (NEC 705 backfeed).

  3. 03.

    Panel must have a dedicated 40A+ breaker space (with conduit run + outlet box) for a Level 2 EV charger.

  4. 04.

    Conduit must be run from the main panel to the roof (for future solar inverter) and from the panel to the primary parking space (for the EV charger).

Documentation

Evidence the inspector / Institute will need.

  1. 01.

    Panel schedule listing all breakers, with the reserved solar + EV breakers labeled.

  2. 02.

    Photo of the installed panel.

  3. 03.

    Marked-up electrical plan showing the conduit runs and termination points.

  4. 04.

    Electrical permit + final inspection sign-off.

Guidance

Why this is cheap to do now and expensive later

Adding the EV-ready conduit + 240V outlet during initial wiring costs ~$300-$800. Retrofitting after drywall and finishes are in often costs $2,000-$5,000 and may require surface-mounted conduit. The panel + solar conduit story is similar.

Resources

  • NEC 705 — Interconnected Power Production Sources

    Code section governing solar backfeed. The most common compliance path is the 120% rule: PV breaker + main breaker ≤ 120% of panel busbar rating.

  • EV Charger Installation Cost Guide →

    DOE guide to Level 2 charging selection and installation.

Note

SB-100 (California), HB 6-1-23 (Colorado), and similar state laws now require new construction to be EV-ready. Even where not required by code, the resale premium for EV-ready homes is documented at $1,500-$3,500.

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Energy & Climate Resilience Required from Gold GHI Zero Energy Certified GHI Zero Carbon Certified GHI Zero Energy Ready Certified Electrified Living Peak Load Shaver

All-Electric or Dual-Fuel Heating

Space heating is all-electric or dual-fuel/hybrid. (At Platinum, all-electric only.)

Scope

The primary space-heating system — central heat pump, ducted air handler, mini-split, or hydronic system.

Requirements

  1. 01.

    At Gold: space heating must be either (a) all-electric (heat pump preferred, resistance backup OK) or (b) a dual-fuel hybrid system (heat pump primary, gas backup for extreme cold).

  2. 02.

    At Platinum: all-electric only. Dual-fuel is not accepted.

  3. 03.

    Heat-pump capacity must be sized to meet 100% of the heating load at the local 99% winter design temperature (per Manual J), or a supplementary heat source must cover the gap.

Documentation

Evidence the inspector / Institute will need.

  1. 01.

    Equipment spec sheet for installed heat pump showing HSPF2 (≥ 8.1 for ENERGY STAR cold-climate, ≥ 8.5 for cold-climate ENERGY STAR Most Efficient).

  2. 02.

    Manual J load calculation showing the heating load at design temperature and the equipment capacity at that temperature.

  3. 03.

    For dual-fuel systems: thermostat configuration documentation showing the changeover temperature (typically 20-35°F).

Guidance

Cold-climate heat pump selection

Modern variable-speed heat pumps maintain 100% of nameplate capacity down to 5°F and 75%+ down to -15°F — well past where dual-fuel systems used to be necessary. NEEP's Cold-Climate Heat Pump list filters for systems that maintain capacity at low temperatures. ENERGY STAR Cold Climate label is the easiest filter.

Resources

Note

IRA federal tax credit covers 30% of installed cost up to $2,000 for qualifying HPs. Many states stack additional rebates of $1,000-$8,000 through utility programs.

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Energy & Climate Resilience Required from Gold GHI Zero Energy Certified GHI Zero Carbon Certified GHI Zero Energy Ready Certified Electrified Living Peak Load Shaver

All-Electric or Solar Water Heating

Water heating is all-electric (heat pump preferred) or solar.

Scope

The primary domestic hot-water heater serving the dwelling. Recirculation loops and point-of-use boosters are downstream of this and not constrained by this requirement.

Requirements

  1. 01.

    The primary water heater must be either: (a) a heat-pump water heater (HPWH), (b) an electric-resistance water heater, or (c) a solar-thermal system with an electric backup.

  2. 02.

    HPWH is strongly preferred — it delivers the same hot water with ~70% less electricity than resistance.

  3. 03.

    For Platinum, electric-resistance alone is not sufficient (HPWH or solar required).

Documentation

Evidence the inspector / Institute will need.

  1. 01.

    Manufacturer spec sheet showing UEF (Uniform Energy Factor) ≥ 2.0 for HPWH or ≥ 0.92 for resistance.

  2. 02.

    Photo of the installed unit with model number visible.

  3. 03.

    For HPWH: documentation that the installation location meets the minimum ambient air-volume requirement (typically 1000 cu ft, or ducted intake/exhaust).

Guidance

Heat-pump water heaters in practice

HPWHs need ambient heat to extract — they actually cool the room they're in by ~5°F and dehumidify it. Ideal locations: garage in warm climates, basement, dedicated utility room. Avoid bedrooms (compressor noise is real) and very small closets without ducting. Hybrid units allow electric-resistance fallback for high-demand periods.

Resources

Note

Federal Inflation Reduction Act offers a 30% tax credit (up to $2,000) for HPWHs through 2032, plus utility rebates of $500-$1,500 in many areas. Stack these for under $1,000 net installed cost on many models.

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Energy & Climate Resilience Required from Gold GHI Zero Energy Certified GHI Zero Carbon Certified GHI Zero Energy Ready Certified Electrified Living Peak Load Shaver

All-Electric Dryer

Clothes dryer is all-electric (heat-pump dryer preferred).

Scope

The primary clothes dryer in the dwelling.

Requirements

  1. 01.

    The clothes dryer must be electric. Heat-pump dryers are strongly preferred over electric-resistance vented dryers.

  2. 02.

    If a gas dryer is being replaced, the gas line must be capped per local code.

Documentation

Evidence the inspector / Institute will need.

  1. 01.

    Equipment spec sheet for installed dryer showing combined energy factor (CEF) — typical HP dryers are 5-7+, resistance vented dryers are 3-4.

  2. 02.

    Photo of installed unit.

Guidance

Heat-pump dryers in practice

HP dryers use ~50% less electricity than vented resistance dryers, are ventless (so no exterior wall penetration needed), and operate at lower temperatures (gentler on fabrics). Tradeoffs: cycle time is ~25% longer, and the condensate needs to drain (either to a drain line or a removable tank).

Note

Ventless HP dryers can be installed in apartments and tight spaces with no exterior wall — opens up laundry placement options. Most newer models (Whirlpool, LG, Miele, GE) qualify for the ENERGY STAR Most Efficient list.

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