Calculating the Pump Energy Index (PEI) to comply with the Department of Energy pump energy conservation standard released January 2016 will become a bigger challenge as manufacturers prepare to meet the 2020 compliance and labeling requirements.

The DOE Test Procedure, based on the Hydraulic Institute’s standard for pump efficiency testing (HI 40.6), is a multi-stepped process, and the data required to determine a pump’s PEI, can vary according to the product configuration.

To help pump manufacturers understand the complex test procedure and calculate PEI in a consistent manner, HI developed two different PEI Calculator tools with the help of member companies Engineered Software Inc. and Intelliquip LLC.

Designed to be used in-house and integrated into OEM testing programs, the macro enabled, Excel-based tool was developed by Engineered Software Inc. and is exclusively available to HI members. Members can also receive a copy of the Excel calculator during the HI Annual Conference and Centennial Celebration March 8-13, 2017 in Orlando, Fla. or by contacting pgaydon@pumps.org.

The online tool, available to the public at er.pumps.org/pei, developed by Intelliquip LLC calculates PEI and presents it in a manner that can also be uploaded into the HI Energy Rating Program.

Both tools will help manufacturer’s determine their pumps’ PEI according to DOE Regulations. Each tool walks the user through the calculation process according to the pump type and the requisite section of the DOE test procedure. Data is collected throughout the process and help text is provided to explain the meaning of different values and the testing options.

HI is committed to developing standards, technical resources and programs that benefit the pump manufacturing industry and pump system owner-operators. These PEI calculators will integrate with the HI Energy Rating Program scheduled for public release in mid-2017. This new HI Program will list pumps with the HI Energy Rating Label in a searchable database for utilities and end-users seeking efficient pumps that qualify for rebate and incentive programs.