News, Tips, and Training

01Aug 2019 by matt flores

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Funded by the California Energy Commission, Workforce Instructions for Standards and Efficiency (WISE) is a training and education program designed to support the transition of new residential buildings toward high performance attics and walls. These building approaches often introduce new construction practices, like 2x6 walls, and associated challenges, like sequencing. (more…)

01Aug 2019 by matt flores

Why Single-family Builders Should Consider Heat Pumps

Tech Tip, Uncategorized

When it comes to heating and cooling homes or creating domestic hot water in Northern California—which features a mild, Mediterranean-type climate—heat pumps are a great alternative to air conditioners (AC), furnaces, or boilers. Heat pumps provide exceptional efficiency, can help enhance safety and indoor air quality, and offer builders an opportunity to secure up-front cost savings when building new homes. (more…)

24Jul 2019 by matt flores

Building Science Training

Training, Uncategorized

Stay up to date with Title-24 and the latest in building science with training opportunities from PG&E’s Pacific Energy Center, Energy Code Ace, and CABEC. (more…)

24Jul 2019 by matt flores

Advanced Energy Rebuild Case Study

Featured Project, Uncategorized

Jarrod and Judi Holmes’ Santa Rosa home was affected by the October 2017 Northern California wildfires. By enrolling in Advanced Energy Rebuild (AER), they received $7,500 in incentives towards installing energy efficient equipment including ENERGY STAR® appliances, high-performance windows, and a whole house fan. As a result, their completed home features energy savings 30 percent better than a standard, code-compliant home. (more…)

24Jul 2019 by matt flores

Zero Energy Case Study

Featured Project, Uncategorized

De Young Properties’ EnVision project leveraged California Advanced Homes Program incentives to offset the additional costs of building a zero-energy community. The project incorporated smart technologies including cutting-edge home automation and monitoring, which helped homes achieve modeled energy savings of 28 percent lower than homes built to current building code. (more…)

25Jun 2019 by matt flores

California Commits to Clean Energy

Tech Tip, Uncategorized

Last fall, the California State Assembly passed a suite of bills that seek to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, promote new technologies, and decrease energy use in California’s existing and new building stock. The most prominent of these bills, SB 100, commits California to 100 percent renewable energy by 2045. This article provides a high-level overview of these bills and how they may affect California builders. (more…)

20Jun 2019 by matt flores

WISE Survey

Training

Workforce Instructions for Standards and Efficiency Survey Title 24 of the California building code dictates energy efficiency construction requirements. The current code promotes high performance envelopes, which includes high performance attics and high performance walls, as a way to meet such requirements. (more…)

20Jun 2019 by matt flores

Custom Home Case Study

Featured Project

The Rivero family recently completed their custom home in Berkeley, California with the help of the California Advanced Homes Program (CAHP). By incorporating advanced energy saving measures into virtually every aspect of design, the home secured $4,950 in CAHP incentives. (more…)

14Jun 2019 by Allison Wittwer

CABEC Webinar: How to Spot a Good Heat Pump

Uncategorized

Join the California Association of Building Energy Consultants (CABEC) and TRC's Matt Christie as he discusses heat pump technology on Wednesday, June 19th from 12:30 - 1:30 pm. Topics covered during the webinar include: Why heat pumps? Variable Capacity Heat Pumps (VCHP). What makes a good heat pump? Heat pump product testing. Proposed hot-dry climate HP quality specification. The importance of sizing, design, install, verification and operations. To register, click here

30May 2019 by Allison Wittwer

Important Eligibility Update for 2016 Code Projects

Uncategorized

Starting July 1st, 2019, any lots submitted for the 2016 Title 24 code program that show negative kWh savings will not be eligible to enroll. Additionally, projects with lots that comply with the 2016 code program requirements must submit their letter of intent, if any, before July 31st, 2019 and a complete application package to TRC no later than October 1st, 2019. After this date, the program will no longer accept applications for projects permitting under the 2016 code. Incentive reservations are valid for up to 36 months from the date of utility acceptance.