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A New Lens for Assessing Cost-Effectiveness
Julie Michals
The issue of determining the cost-effectiveness of energy efficiency resources has long been a complicated and sometimes contentious topic. Despite the perception that virtually all states nominally use some version of the tests identified decades ago by California, actual practice has been inconsistent and often subject to debate.To address existing shortcomings and provide an updated and comprehensive approach, the first-ever National Standard Practice Manual (NSPM) was released on May 18th. Quickly named an “... [continue reading]
Energy Department Announces up to $3.7 Million in Building America Industry Partnerships
Stacy Hunt
As a part of the Administration’s efforts to cut energy waste in the nation’s buildings, the Energy Department today announced up to $3.7 million to study and validate new energy efficiency solutions for the nation's homes. These projects will lead to improved home energy efficiency and smarter home operation for millions of American families, saving money on their energy bills while improving health and comfort. [continue reading]
DOE's Solar Decathlon Needs Volunteers
Heather Stafford
The U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon is a collegiate competition of 10 contests that challenge student teams to design and build full-size, energy-efficient, solar-powered houses. The winner most successfully blends design excellence, smart energy strategies, innovation, and market potential. [continue reading]
EPCs - Do You Know The Law?
Jason McGrinder
Whether you are a property owner, landlord, tenant, contractor, or otherwise, it is essential to know the current and proposed laws surrounding energy performance certificates, or EPCs. [continue reading]
Looking for Novel Applications of Thermal Storage
Sarah O'Connell
Through its JUMP platform, Oak Ridge National Lab has partnered with Trane to host a technology challenge on thermal storage. It is crucial that innovative techniques and materials be developed that efficiently condition occupied spaces, contribute to improved occupant comfort, and have low product and installation costs. Such energy, comfort and cost considerations will best enable contractors and builders to provide customers with high-performing, sustainable buildings. [continue reading]
HPC Working For You: Climate Change & Carbon Reduction
Deborah E. Miller
HPC develops new approaches to federal, state and local policies that promote growth in the residential energy efficiency sector through research, education, and policy analysis. HPC works with stakeholders to resolve the most serious issues facing the residential energy efficiency industry and is a focal point for collaborative efforts on data standardization, program cost-effectiveness testing, weatherization, the valuation of home energy efficiency in the real estate market, and the integration of smart grid technology with ... [continue reading]
New Report Shows Big Jump in Net-Zero Energy Homes
Shilpa Sankaran
Net-zero energy homes seem to be growing their way out of a purely niche market. The number of zero energy residential units—homes that produce as much energy as they consume—in the United States and Canada grew 33% over the previous year, according to a new report by the Net Zero Energy Coalition titled “To Zero and Beyond: 2016.” A total of 8,203 single family and multifamily units were counted in 2016, up from ... [continue reading]
The Results Are In: These Are The Most Energy-Efficient Utilities in the US
Grace Relf
Our first-ever scorecard of US utilities, released today, reveals striking regional differences and the best — and worst — performers on energy efficiency. The 2017 Utility Energy Efficiency Scorecard looks at the performance of the 51 largest electric utilities in the United States and highlights cutting-edge efforts. Topping the list are Eversource Massachusetts and National Grid Massachusetts, which both earned the same score. Rounding out the top five are Pacific Gas & Electric, Baltimore Gas & Electric, and Eversource ... [continue reading]
Good Intentions, Poor Results
Charles Cormany
Without a doubt, there are many policies that have been successful. California’s strict building codes have reduced energy use per capita and are responsible for eliminating the need to build 15-20 new power plants over the last 30 years. This is a great result and job well done. [continue reading]
Women in Building Performance: Cynthia Adams
Macie Melendez
Cynthia Adams is the CEO of Pearl, a national home certification company, which certifies home features that contribute to its comfort, energy performance, and indoor air quality. As a third-party certification company, Pearl provides independent documentation for refinance or resale (think Carfax for homes). [continue reading]
