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Fresno Real Estate Appraisers Presentation

Written by John Richau

Saturday, 26 June 2010 15:15

On February 23, 2010 I had the honor of presenting to the North California chapter of the Appraisal Institute at Fort Washington Country Club. I was representing the California Association of HERS Raters, a 501 c 6 non-profit Trade Association, serving as Executive Director. The organization was created for Title 24 energy efficiency professionals.

I was consulting for the City of Fresno at the time under Joseph Oldham, Sustainability Manager at City Hall. My cubicle was next to Bruce Barnes’ and I came to know him as a genuine guy. Bruce was part of the presentation and articulated the City of Fresno's efforts to make our region a better place. Truly I’ve never worked with more sincere people than at City Hall.

Dave Robinson, Chairperson at the California Building Performance Contractors Association (CBPCA) presented on his Green Earth Equities business model. Green Earth Equities uses no government money and rehabilitates homes making the energy efficient, comfortable, and that provide superior air quality. All of this bringing value to the buyer, profit to the investors, increased property tax base for the City, and generally improving the quality of life for people for an area.

Tenaya Asan, program manager at Build it Green, was helpful in providing studies on how new greened up homes sell for more, sell faster, have a lower callback rate, and are healthier. But the studies were for new homes. The thrust of my presentation was that greened up homes should cost more because they’re worth more.

The bottom line is that a home is only worth as much as someone is willing to pay for it. But energy efficiency, comfort, and health of the home have value. I don’t care what anybody says. Some people think energy efficiency should be mandated. But the last thing many people want is another law that mandates something. But there’s a better way. Education!

If thinking home owners knew the implications of an inefficient home they would demand that the house was fixed either through borrowing a bit more on the mortgage or negotiating with the seller. I know I would.

Listen to Bruce Barnes here (MP3 15MB)

Listen to Dave Robinson here (MP3 33MB)

Listen to John Richau here (MP3_40MB)

Public Workshops on Federal Stimulus Funds Begin June 14

Written by John Richau
Saturday, 03 July 2010 18:16
Sessions Explore How Energy Investment Boosts California's Economy, Creates Jobs What: Starting Monday, June 14, the California Energy Commission will host a series of public workshops examining the benefits, challenges, and policy implications of investing American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds in California's energy sector. The workshops will explore how clean energy can stimulate the economy and create long-term jobs while reducing carbon emissions. As part of the ARRA, the Energy Commission is administering $314.5 million for energy efficiency and renewable energy programs. Who: Matt Rogers, Senior Advisor to U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu, will talk about the U.S. Department of Energy's unprecedented efforts to provide clear accountability in the distribution and use of federal stimulus funding. Other presenters will explain how California is overseeing the distribution of ARRA funds and how the Energy Commission is auditing, verifying, and evaluating energy projects receiving stimulus dollars. When: The ARRA workshops will examine these topics. July 8: "Local Government Leading Recovery Through Energy Retrofit." This workshop will explore how funding for state and local government energy projects is reducing energy consumption and saving taxpayers money. The workshop will highlight the innovations of the use of ARRA funds and how ARRA will forever change efficiency funding for local government programs. July 13: "Golden State Leverage." This workshop will explore how the State used research and development and clean transportation funds to secure millions in dollars in federal funding for clean technology development in California. Particular focus will be on the projects and benefits that the funding will allow and how the ARRA forever changed the way federal funds are pursued. July 21: "Clean Energy Jobs and the growth of the Clean Energy Economy." This workshop will explore the various initiatives underway to expand training and employment opportunities in the clean energy field. The workshop will hear from researchers, training organizations and agencies implementing some of the most cutting edge clean energy jobs programs in the country. July 22: "Creating the Next Industrial Revolution." This workshop will explore how California is using ARRA funds and other tools to build a clean energy manufacturing base in the Golden State. The workshop will focus on new and existing programs and hear from industry leaders on what more can be done. July 29: "How Energy Efficiency will Lead an Economic Recovery." This workshop will highlight and examine the roll-out of transformational existing building energy efficiency retrofit and financing programs across the State. The workshop will focus on how the programs address major market barriers and use ARRA funds to lay the ground work for the start of a new California economic sector.
Last Updated on Saturday, 03 July 2010 18:18
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City of Riverside offers energy efficiency rebates

Written by Chris Trujillo

Wednesday, 21 July 2010 03:50

Riverside Public Utilities has rolled out new energy upgrade rebates in which homeowners can multiply their rebates up to 350%. Some energy upgrades include anything Energy Star, duct replacement, blower door testing, duct sealing, planting trees, CFL light bulbs and toilets. Some Riverside companies have been averaging between $4000 to $7000 in customer rebates not including tax credits and Gas Co rebates.

Program Overview - Role of Energy Consultant and HERS Rater Webinar

Written by Keith Sage

Tuesday, 06 July 2010 13:50

Training Dates

California Multi-Family New Homes Webinar Series:

Date

Topic

Time

Registration

March 31, 2010
CMFNH &
PG&E Programs 11:00am-1:00pm completed

June 22, 2010 CMFNH &
Green Programs 11:00am-1:00pm completed

July 20, 2010 HERS Verification 3:00-5:00pm Sign up here

August 12, 2010
Energy Consultants & HERS Raters 11:00am-1:00pm Sign up here

November, 2010
TBD 11:00am-1:00pm Check back*

Multi-Family Energy Efficiency Trainings:
Classes are from 9:00AM - 4:00PM

Date

Location

Facility

Registration

April 19, 2010
San Francisco PG&E PEC completed

April 19, 2010
Webinar N/A completed

July 14, 2010 Vacaville*** Hampton Inn Sign up here

July 14, 2010 Webinar N/A Sign up here

September 22, 2010
San Ramon PG&E SRVCC Sign up here

Multi-Family Building Simulation Workshops:**
Classes are from 9:00AM - 4:00PM

Date

Location

Facility

Registration

May 19, 2010
San Ramon PG&E SRVCC completed

October, 2010 San Francisco PG&E PEC Check back*

*Contact Ashley Beals ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) if you would like to be added to our waitlist for fall trainings indicated above.

**Please note that a minimum of two years experience using EnergyPro is required, basics will not be taught. Participants are also required to bring their own laptops with the latest version of EnergyPro software installed.

***Please note that the location for the July 14th training has been moved from West Sacramento Galleria to the Vacaville Hampton Inn & Suites Room A&B.

Training Descriptions

Program Overview Webinar

Speakers: Amy Barr and Sophia Hartkopf

2010 marks the start of a new program cycle for California’s utilities. This webinar will highlight one of these programs, PG&E California Multi-Family New Homes (CMFNH). CMFNH facilitates deep energy savings utilizing a performance-based, integrated design approach (i.e. exceeding 2008 Title 24 by a minimum of 15%) for multi-family new construction projects. The 2010-2012 program cycle of CMFNH includes significant changes that will affect participating projects throughout Northern California. This presentation will cover these program developments, detailing such items as new escalating incentive levels, energy consultant incentives, and other program services, and discuss how these programs integrate with other energy, solar and green programs throughout the region.
Each webinar will also host program partner guests:
March 31 (PG&E Programs): Brian Silverthorne, CAHP; Maggie Dmitrova, NSHP; Karen Contreras, MEERP
June 22 (Green Programs): Amy Dryden, BIG GPR; Walker Wells, LEED MR Pilot; Trisha Miller, Enterprise Green Communities; Jeff Staller, ENERGY STAR HR Pilot
HERS Verification Overview Webinar

Speakers: Keith Sage and Linda S. Murphy

This webinar will provide on overview of third party HERS verification requirements for the 2010-12 California Multi-Family New Homes (CMFNH) program. All projects participating in the program are required to hire a HERS rater to go on-site prior to construction completion to verify installed energy measures, in addition to any HERS measures used in the Title 24 documentation.

This overview is open to anyone looking to learn more about the HERS requirements for CMFNH, however it is specifically designed to walk HERS raters through the mandatory program protocols. It is required for all HERS raters looking to verify high-rise residential projects (4 stories or more) participating in the 2010-12 program.

Also please note that 1 residential continuing education unit (CEU) for CABEC CEA’s are available for this webinar.

Program Overview - Role of Energy Consultant and HERS Rater Webinar

Speakers: Linda S. Murphy and Keith Sage

2010 marks the start of a new program cycle for California’s utilities. This webinar will highlight one of these programs, PG&E California Multi-Family New Homes (CMFNH). CMFNH facilitates deep energy savings utilizing a performance-based, integrated design approach (i.e. exceeding 2008 Title 24 by a minimum of 15%) for multi-family new construction projects. The 2010-2012 program cycle of CMFNH includes significant changes that will affect participating projects throughout Northern California. This presentation will cover the program requirements and processes from the perspective of the HERS rater and energy consultant.

Also please note that 2 residential continuing education units (CEUs) for CABEC CEA’s are available for this webinar.

Multi-Family Energy Efficiency Trainings

Speakers: Linda S. Murphy and Jeff Staller

The Intermediate Training builds on the previous “comprehensive trainings” given during 2006-2009 to all sectors of the multi-family building and design industry. The workshop is a Power Point-based slideshow, designed to be interactive, and augmented by examples of equipment, materials, and building analyses.

The session will begin with an overview of the 2008 Title 24 code and general energy efficiency concepts relating to multi-family buildings. This is followed with a presentation on specific building energy efficiency measures as they apply to multi-family design and construction. Training topics will include:

Overview of 2008 California Building Energy Standards (Title 24) with an emphasis on low-rise and high-rise multi-family buildings

Multi-family energy efficiency design concepts and measures
(Site, packaged vs. central HVAC systems, envelope, water heating, verification/inspections, system efficiency vs. whole building efficiency, etc)

Case Studies of previous CMFNH projects which exceeded Title 24 by a minimum of 15%

Overview of energy efficiency measures for HVAC systems, envelope (insulation and windows), water heating, verification/inspections, etc)

*Please Note: For this training, a webinar option may be available for those not able to attend in-person.

Also please note that 6 residential continuing education units (CEUs) for CABEC CEA’s are available for this training.

Multi-Family Building Simulation Workshops

Speakers: Linda S. Murphy and Jeff Staller

The Advanced Workshop is designed for energy consultants, HERS raters, mechanical engineers, and other industry professionals actively modeling multi-family buildings using EnergyPro. Prior experience with Title 24 documentation and use of EnergyPro software is required for participants of the Advanced Building Simulation Training workshop. This workshop will not cover basics in the use of EnergyPro.

The workshop will focus on techniques and tips for using EnergyPro to model energy efficiency measures typically used to cost-effectively maximize multi-family building energy efficiency. In a small group setting, attendees will use plans and energy models of real multi-family projects to consider several energy efficiency options. The exercises provide a hands-on opportunity to learn how to explore the energy impact, and Title 24 compliance margin impact, of several energy efficient scenarios using the EnergyPro* software program.

Modeling topics will include:

Modeling of multiple central domestic water heating distribution systems

Combined hydronic water and space heating systems in high rise buildings

4 pipe fan coil systems served by central systems (chillers, cooling towers, pumps) vs. split system HVAC systems

Variable Refrigerant Volume Systems

Correctly modeling buildings with out cooling systems

High performance envelope systems

*Please note that this workshop will only utilize EnergyPro software and thus your modeling experience with this software is important. This workshop will not cover Micropas, eQUEST or other related software.

Also please note that 3 residential and 3 nonresidential continuing education units (CEUs) for CABEC CEA’s are available for this workshop.

Training Contact

Ashley Beals
(916) 962-7001
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Last Updated on Wednesday, 07 July 2010 18:14

What is Home Energy Audit

Written by Keith Sage
Saturday, 05 June 2010 13:02
A home energy audit (or survey) evaluates an existing home to determine where and how energy is being lost, what systems are operating inefficiently and what cost-effective improvements can be implemented to enhance occupant comfort, make the home more durable and lower utility costs. (See Benefits of a Home Energy Audit). RESNET has defined three types of energy assessments for existing homes which range in complexity from a simple but effective walk-through survey to a performance audit using diagnostic equipment and computerized data analysis to a comprehensive home energy *rating* utilizing the most sophisticated modeling software to produce a home rating score on the HERS Index. These options, listed from least complex to most complex are explained below.
Last Updated on Sunday, 13 June 2010 15:53
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