Best Practices for Leasing NZE Buildings
An actionable guide explaining the business case and process for developers and landlords to pursue net-zero energy (NZE) leased buildings. Click here to view the report
Berkeley Lab Helps California Get to Zero Net Energy Homes
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory will have two projects focused on improving ZNE homes, looking at barriers to ZNE implementation and the mitigating air contamination in the “tighter” ZNE building envelope. One the projects will include an analysis of the cost-effectiveness of various approaches to lowering energy use in single family and multifamily homes, such as comparing…
CEC Workshop on High Performance Envelope and Domestic Hot Water Measures for the 2019 Residential Standards
California Energy Commission staff will conduct a workshop to gather stakeholder input on the development of the 2019 Building Energy Efficiency Standards (2019 Standards). The workshop will be held on: Thursday, June 1, 2017 9:00 a.m. CALIFORNIA ENERGY COMMISSION 1516 Ninth Street First Floor, Rosenfeld Hearing Room Sacramento, California (Wheelchair Accessible) Remote Access Available by…
Renewable Water Heating Promises Even Bigger Savings for CA
Pierre Delforge, from the Natural Resources Defense Council, discusses the benefits that solar water heating can provide to California homes and offices. In the development of the 2019 Building Energy Efficiency Standards NRDC proposes a “menu of options…designed to give builders and new home buyers flexibility while guaranteeing energy, carbon, and bill savings.” NRDC proposes a…
CEC Funding Opportunity: $20M for Efficiency in Existing Buildings – Municipal, Institutional, and More
The California Energy Commission (CEC) has recently released a $20 million solicitation for innovative large-scale development and demonstration projects that reduce electricity consumption in existing buildings. The solicitation is (more…)
Determining Savings from Applying Window Film: New Savings Calculator Approved by CEC
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…)
Lessons from the Sierra Club’s 4-Year Old Zero Net Energy Geothermal Building
We heard from several local governments at the SEEC Forum about the importance of not just design, but performance, in zero net energy buildings. (Learn from Berkeley, Santa Monica, SMUD, and San Diego County here). A geothermal zero net energy commercial (more…)
From Greentech Media: Energy-Efficient Homes Are Worth More. So Let’s Create an Easy Metric for Buyers
We’ve seen a lot of recent studies on how energy efficient homes are worth more; but, communicating this value has been a challenge, making the market slow to respond and leaving dollars and energy efficiency opportunities on the table in our communities. (This (more…)
From New Buildings Institute: California hits 100 ZNE verified and emerging buildings milestone
The California Public Utilities Commission, California Energy Commission, and the New Buildings Institute (NBI) announced earlier this month California continues the march toward its zero net energy (ZNE) goals, with 108 new and renovated commercial (more…)
From Zero Energy Project: Energy Efficient Codes Make Financial Sense
The following description and links are an excerpt from the Zero Energy Project’s recent newsletter. For more on the Zero Energy Project, click here. “Average homeowners are the biggest beneficiaries of more energy efficient building codes, says Daniel Bressett of the Alliance to Save Energy. Homeowners consistently state their preference for energy efficiency features, a point…
Commercial Building Zero Net Energy Case Studies Publication Available from PG&E, Berheim + Dean
A publication reviewing findings on commercial building zero net energy retrofits is now available; excerpts from the forward by PG&E Commercial Buildings Principal Peter Turnbull is below: (more…)
Energy Efficiency Demonstrates Its Dollar Value in San Francisco Commercial Real Estate
As covered by BizJournal’s July 28th article, funding green upgrades is made easier as the market shows the value of and desire for energy efficient real estate: Earlier this year, Atlanta-based Jamestown Properties sold the 145,400-square-foot 799 Market St. in San Francisco, turning a nice 48 percent return from the $96 million it paid in…
World Energy Intensity Decreases, Says EIA: Energy policies—such as building efficiency—among nations plays a major factor
The world is steadily burning less energy: nearly 33 percent less in the last 15 years, according to the latest figures from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. (more…)
2013 Title 24, Part 6 Lighting Alterations Update: New energy code compliance option may reduce lighting controls requirements and project costs, effective immediately for all projects permitted before December 31, 2016
The California Energy Commission approved the use of an optional compliance pathway for use in non-residential lighting alterations that trigger Title 24, Part 6. This is in addition to the pre-existing two compliance pathways. This new option may (more…)
Free CalGreen Seminar Friday 7/22
This free four-hour course is designed for those interested in learning about the 2016 California Green Building Standards Code (CALGreen). Cities across California are required to enforce the 2016 California Green Building Code on January 1, 2017. (more…)