News, Tips, and Training – Page 2

06Dec 2018 by cahpadmin

Upcoming Heat Pump Training and Networking Event

Training

More and more homeowners are installing heat pumps for their space and water heating needs. This event will include a short training on heat pump fundamentals, information on energy efficiency and heat pump rebate programs, and scheduled networking time to meet other contractors and building professionals working with this technology. The heat pump training will cover all aspects of heat pumps for both water heating and space heating. Topics will include the fundamentals of the technology, site analysis, system design, cost factors, and comparing heat pumps with renewable energy systems. Instructor: Steve Easley Steve Easley is an internationally recognized construction consultant specializing in solving building related problems and education building industry professionals. His work focuses on increasing quality construction, sustainability, and reducing costly mistakes that lead to construction defects and callbacks.…

05Nov 2018 by cahpadmin

Energy Code Ace First Annual Conference!

Training, Uncategorized

Want to learn how to make energy code compliance faster, easier, and more accurate? Register for the Energy Code ACE first annual conference. When: Thursday, November 15, 2018 8:30 am - 4:30 pm Where: SoCalGas Energy Resource Center 9240 Firestone Blvd Downey, CA 90241 Cost: Free Breakfast, lunch, and afternoon refreshments will be provided Topics include: Highlights of 2019 Title 24 Part 6 Code Changes Code Compliance Resources Hands-on Practical Scenarios for New Construction and Additions/Alterations: Residential Nonresidential Lighting & Electrical Nonresidential Mechanical Multifamily Register now! Click here and scroll to Energy Code ACE Conference Find out more via the Agenda

20Sep 2018 by cahpadmin

2019-Code Energy Design Rating Fact Sheet

Tech Tip, Uncategorized

The 2019 residential energy code (2019-Code) will use a new energy efficiency metric to gauge code compliance: the Energy Design Rating (EDR) will replace compliance percent. Each metric accomplishes a similar task – determining if a proposed-home uses less energy than a prescriptive-home of the same size and in the same climate zone. The difference between compliance percent and EDR is simply the mathematical construct used behind the scenes in the modeling software and the inclusion of all energy end uses within EDR. CAHP participants may be familiar with the EDR already as it’s being used for program compliance with the 2016-Code program. Calculations for the EDR are currently available in CBECC-Res 2016 and EnergyPro 7. Instructions to activate and surface the EDR calculations can be found here. And Delta-EDR,…

20Sep 2018 by cahpadmin

Testing the 2019-Code Software

Tech Tip, Uncategorized

The 2019-Code goes into effect January 1, 2020 - just around the corner considering construction timelines. CAHP and CABEC strongly encourage all energy consultants to test out the 2019-Code beta software (also called research versions) before the code change. Testing will help gain familiarity with software and the new code, test how certain building designs fair, and surface bugs, errors, and missing features to inform the development team ahead of final release. For residential buildings, the new code includes: More stringent wall and attic insulation values, including QII in the reference baseline A new baseline for electric water heating The Energy Design rating - a brand new method of code compliance that requires a user adhere to both an Efficiency-EDR and a Final-EDR simultaneously (see CAHP’s EDR Fact Sheet for…

12Sep 2018 by cahpadmin

Three Reasons Builders Should Incorporate High Performance Attics and Walls Now

Tech Tip

While California’s 2016 building code mandates construction of high performance attics (HPA) and high performance walls (HPW) in all new single family homes, many builders elect to build to the performance path, which allows for conventional attics and walls if the builder installs other above code measures, most often solar photovoltaics (PV). However, there are many factors for builders to assess when considering whether to incorporate these design features into new homes now—including the fact that the 2019 code is just around the corner. Below are three reasons California builders should start incorporating HPA and HPW into new homes now. Be Prepared for 2019 Code On January 1, 2020—a short 15 months away—2019 California building code will come into effect. 2019 code not only requires more efficient energy measures (including…

10Sep 2018 by cahpadmin

New Bonus Options Available!

Tech Tip, Uncategorized

The California Advanced Homes Program (CAHP) and California Multifamily New Homes (CMFNH) program provide EDR and cash bonuses for industry best-practice measures to reward builders and homeowners. These bonuses also help offset the incremental costs for these added measures. These new cash bonuses are model-able and are available for all 2016 code single-family and low-rise multifamily projects, as applicable. Quality Insulation Installation (QII): Single family and low-rise multifamily projects QII outlines a procedure to verify proper installation of insulation to maximize thermal benefit per methods detailed in the Residential Appendix RA3.5, and applies to floors, walls, roofs and ceilings. Claiming compliance credit for QII requires that a third-party HERS Rater verifies the integrity of the installed insulation. Reduced Building Air Leakage: Single family projects only Lower building air leakage yields…

28Aug 2018 by cahpadmin

CAHP Webinar: 2019 Code and the Solar Requirement

Training, Uncategorized

The California Advanced Homes and California Multifamily New Homes Program teams up to provide you with a one hour presentation on the 2019 code and the prescriptive requirements for building envelope, HVAC (heating ventilation air conditioning), DHW (domestic hot water), and PV (photovoltaic). When: Tuesday, September 11th 10:00 am - 11:00 am Register here

26Jun 2018 by cahpadmin

EnergyCode ACE Webinar: Advanced Energy Rebuild Program, Introduction for Architects & CEAs

Tech Tip, Training, Uncategorized

EnergyCode ACE has announced two upcoming sessions for their webinar covering the Advanced Energy Rebuild (AER) program. The webinar is designed to help architects and Certified Energy Analysts (CEAs) understand the essential considerations for successful participation in the AER program that Sonoma Clean Power, Pacific Gas and Electric Company, and the Bay Area Air Quality Management District jointly offer to help homeowners affected by the October 2017 firestorms rebuild energy-efficient and sustainable homes. During the session, presenters Martyn Dodd and Ted Tiffany will cover the program requirements, explore alternatives for meeting those requirements, and open the floor for participants to share ideas, concerns, and questions with other architects and energy analysts. This course is geared towards architects and CEAs who anticipate working on residential new construction projects in Sonoma and…

11Jun 2018 by cahpadmin

CABEC Webinar: Energy Code for Accessory Dwelling Units

Training

The California Association of Building Energy Consultants (CABEC) is hosting a webinar on the energy code standards for accessory dwelling units (ADUs). ADUs are becoming a desirable way to address the housing shortage in California. Because of this, the Advanced Energy Rebuild program will allow detached, in-law units with separate mechanical systems to receive full incentives. Date: Wednesday, June 20th, 2018 Time: 12:30 - 1:30 pm Location: GoToWebinar To register, please follow this link.

23May 2018 by cahpadmin

Recent Software Updates Increase Eligibility and Incentives!

Tech Tip

Does your project have electric dryers and cooking? Recent software updates could improve your project’s eligibility or incentive for the California Advanced Homes Program and the California Multifamily New Homes Program. Single family and low-rise multifamily projects with electric dryers and electric cooking that previously did not qualify due to low Delta EDR scores, may now be eligible for the California Advanced Homes Program (CAHP) and California Multifamily New Homes (CMFNH) Program using the most current Title 24 Compliance software. The most current versions, namely, CBECC-Res 2016.3.0 (SP2) and Energy Pro 7.2.2, have updated the rulesets to include an electric baseline for appliances. This means that the software now allows for a direct comparison between fuel types. Read on to see examples of how the fuel selection impacts the EDR…