building envelope – California Climate and Energy Collaborative

Determining Savings from Applying Window Film: New Savings Calculator Approved by CEC

August 26, 2016

building envelope, buildings, CEC, energy efficiency, evaluation, Prop 39

The California Energy Commission (CEC) recently approved a new Window Film Savings Calculator designed by the International Window Film Association for use by local educational agencies to determine whether a window film installation project qualifies for (more…)

The History of Passive House in North America

July 6, 2016

Sarina Soor

best practices, building envelope, buildings, energy efficiency

In 2002, Katrin Klingenberg introduced the passivhaus program to North America when she built the Smith House in Urbana, Illinois. She had come to the US from Germany, where she studied architecture and got involved with passivhaus. But is this really where it all began? Learn about early “passive house” building efficiency (more…)

Savings Results from Grass Valley Energy Efficiency and Solar Project

July 5, 2016

Sarina Soor

best practices, building envelope, buildings, EE municipal programs, energy efficiency, ESCOs, lighting, Local Governments in Action, northern california, sierra nevada, solar, streetlighting

The City of Grass Valley’s June 28th City Council meeting celebrated the completion of a number of municipal energy efficiency and solar projects through an energy performance contract with Opterra Energy, including new solar generation, LED (more…)

NYTimes Coverage and Slideshow: Zero Net Energy Test Homes in Fontana, Homeowner Feedback, and Plans for Expansion

June 8, 2016

Sarina Soor

best practices, building controls & analytics, building envelope, buildings, CPUC, energy efficiency, energy storage, green building, HVAC, inland empire, lighting, renewables/DERs, residential, solar, weekly updates, zero net energy (ZNE)

The development of zero net energy (ZNE) homes in Fontana announced last April got press as the focus of this June 3rd New York Times article: A Suburban Experiment Aims for Free Energy. Visit the New York Times for the full story – (more…)

New Study: Cool Roofs’ Effect on Urban Heat Island in Chicago

June 1, 2016

Sarina Soor

air quality, best practices, building envelope, buildings, cool roofs, energy efficiency, HVAC, publications, weekly updates

As shared by EurekAlert.org, a new study has reviewed the potential for cool roofs and green roofs to reduce urban heat island effect and improve air quality in the City of Chicago. Read below for highlights, or visit EurekAlert.org here. (more…)

Register Now: Low-Income Weatherization Program (LIWP) Stakeholder Event June 2nd

May 31, 2016

Sarina Soor

building envelope, buildings, cap-and-trade, EE programs, events, funding, GGRF, HVAC, incentives, USDOE, webinars, weekly updates, workshops

The California Department of Community Services & Development (CSD) will host a public comment opportunity for interested parties regarding the Low-Income Weatherization Program (LIWP) – Phase 2 design. CSD will provide a general overview of proposed modifications to the existing LIWP (more…)

Weatherization Federal and State Funding: An Overview of What’s Available through the CA Dept. of Community Services and Development (CSD)

May 19, 2016

Sarina Soor

building envelope, buildings, EE programs, energy efficiency, environmental justice, funding, HVAC, incentives, multi-family, renewables/DERs, solar, underserved communities

I’ve been getting a number of questions regarding weatherization funding, and had the opportunity to speak recently to a representative on weatherization funding opportunities (more…)

Low Income Weatherization Program (LIWP) Public Meeting June 2nd: Information Sought on Participant Numbers

May 19, 2016

Sarina Soor

affordable housing, building envelope, buildings, EE programs, energy efficiency, environmental justice, events, funding, HVAC, renewables/DERs, solar, underserved communities, weekly updates

The California Department of Community Services & Development (CSD) is preparing for the next phase of the Low-Income Weatherization Program’s (LIWP) Single-Family (more…)

Save the Date: Low Income Weatherization Program Development (LIWP) June 2nd

May 13, 2016

Sarina Soor

building envelope, buildings, energy efficiency, events, funding, incentives, residential, solar, underserved communities

National Association of Home Builders Survey Shows Home Buyers Willing to Pay More for Energy Efficient Homes

April 15, 2016

Sarina Soor

best practices, building controls & analytics, building envelope, buildings, energy efficiency, green building, residential

A recent National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) survey shows builders responding to consumer desires for energy efficiency in homes. In a survey to consumers, (more…)

Cool Roofs Code Support: Completed Cost-Effectiveness Study for All Climate Zones

April 15, 2016

Sarina Soor

building energy efficiency standards, building envelope, CEC, codes and standards, cool roofs, PG&E, reach codes, RECO/CECO, SCE, SCG, SDG&E

With the passage of the new 2016 Building Energy Efficiency Standards (BEES) last year, local governments will have the latter half of this calendar year to (more…)

Video: HERO Program Finances New Windows, Building Envelope Improvements for Escondido Residents

April 4, 2016

Sarina Soor

best practices, building envelope, buildings, EE community programs, energy efficiency, financing, funding, Local Governments in Action, PACE, residential, southern california, southern coast

Looking for resources to demonstrate the value of energy efficiency financing options to your residents? Check out the HERO Program’s video showcasing PACE-financed new windows and building envelope improvements for a resident in Escondido. (more…)

CEC Energy Code Trainings to be Made Available through ICC Chapters

April 1, 2016

Sarina Soor

building energy efficiency standards, building envelope, buildings, CEC, codes and standards, commercial, events, HVAC, lighting, residential, Title 24, training, weekly updates, workshops

The California Energy Commission (CEC) has developed a list of Energy Code Trainings that will be made available at multiple locations throughout the state through International Code Council (ICC) Chapters. Highlights from the list are (more…)

One Year Later: San Gabriel Valley EASY Program Successes

April 1, 2016

Sarina Soor

benchmarking, best practices, building envelope, buildings, energy data, energy efficiency, HVAC, lighting, local government partnership, Local Governments in Action, plug load, residential, SCE, SCG, southern california, water energy nexus, weekly updates

A year ago, the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments (SGVCOG) launched a new program through the San Gabriel Valley Energy Watch partnership with SCE and SCG to empower residents to take simple energy efficiency measures in (more…)

Energy efficiency and savings through window films

March 25, 2016

Sarina Soor

best practices, building envelope, buildings, energy efficiency, HVAC, PG&E, publications, weekly updates

Window films have been used in various capacities for years, but now are becoming more widespread in their use to lower building HVAC energy load – and are showing great energy savings and co-benefits. Learn more through coverage in an Energy Manager article here. Looking for examples of California implementation? Check out this PG&E fact sheet…