INDEX

Auditing
Cool Roofs
Demand Responsive Controls
Ducts
Energy Solutions for Cities and Counties

California Cities & Counties click here

ESCOs (Energy Service Companies)
Good Tips - Various Sources
Green Power
Performance Contracting
Professional Assistance
Renewable Energy

Other Helpful Links

Auditing
A comprehensive building audit will tell you what you will gain from an energy retrofit as well as how much the installation will cost.

A simple, "do it yourself approach," to an energy audit -

EnergyBill.com
EnergyBill.com is a website that actually allows you, the consumer, to manager your energy bill. Utility websites can give you tips and advice on how to conserve energy and money, and that's fine. In fact, we offer the same information here. The difference is that now you can find out how good that advice is! It's common sense that if you buy a more energy efficient air-conditioner, you will save money. But how much will you save? And is that worth the extra money you pay for a more energy efficient appliance? With EnergyBill.com you have a way to find out.

Auditing Links

Cool Roofs
Because "cool roof" (white/reflective surface materials) stay 50 to 70 °F cooler under peak cooling conditions, they offer many benefits to building owners - not to mention the community at large! Here's a quick summary.....

- Reduced peak electricity demand (approx. 0.4 w/sf if roof is R-11 insulated)
- Reduced cooling energy use (20% less, on average)
- Improved building comfort
- Reduced building maintenance expense
- Reduced heat island effect
- Reduced air pollution
- Reduced roofing waste

Every time a roof is re-surfaced, it should be given a new cool roof! Check out the following links for more -

Cool Roof Information

Cool Roof Products and Services

$ $ - REBATES FOR COOL ROOFS IN CALIFORNIA - $ $

Demand Responsive Control Systems
Demand responsive control systems integrate the controls for your energy systems with electronic communication and metering technology to facilitate one-way or two-way communication between utility and customer equipment. These technologies are used to reduce energy use (by dim lights, raise air conditioning setpoints, etc) in response to peak electricity demand emergencies and/or prices.

Demand Responsive Control System Information

Demand Responsive Control System Products and Services

$ $ - REBATES FOR CALIFORNIA ENERGY USERS - $ $
An Energy Commission (AB970) Program - contact Mike Messenger for details

Ducts
It's a little known fact that heating and/or cooling ducts are, on average, only about 65% efficient due to leakage, poor insulation and other factors. It costs only $150-$300 more to install a new duct system that is 85% efficient (costs are higher when retrofitting existing systems).

How much can you save? If your furnace is 95% efficient (about as high as they go) and your duct system is just 65% efficient, your overal "system efficiency" is just 62% (0.95x0.65=0.62)! With an 85% efficient duct system you would be saving about 23% on your heating and/or cooling bills (0.95x0.85=0.81). In new construction, the savings "payback" period is generally less than three years!

Good Tips - Various Sources

Alliance To Save Energy's "Business Energy Checkup"
A guide to saving money and preventing pollution through energy efficiency steps you can take in your business. Business Energy Checkup helps you identify a wide range of energy efficiency options for your building.

US Dept Of Energy's Commercial Business Owners and Operators Page
A guide to commissioning for energy efficiency, saving energy through operation and maintenance, using solar energy, saving water and heating it efficiently, and how to purchase energy efficienct HVAC, lighting, windows and building equipment.

Professional Associations

Air Conditioning Contractors Association (ACCA)
Duct Efficiency Standards & Contractor List; Austin, TX 78758

Air Movement & Control Association (AMCA)
Air balancing and control; Arlington Heights, Illinois, USA

American Institute Of Architecture

Information for Commercial Customers

Information for Institutional Clients

American Society of Heating, Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE)

American Solar Energy Society (ASES)

American Wind Energy Association

Associated Air Balance Council (AABC)
Air balancing; Washington, DC, USA

Association of Energy Service Professionals

Building Industry Association of Superior California Home Page (BIA)

California Association of Building Energy Consultants (CABEC)
Members include energy consultants, architects, and engineers actively participating in compliance work with the California Building Energy Efficiency Standards, Title-24. They can be reached at 916-921-2223; 916-927-4811 fax.

Energy Solutions for Cities and Counties
Planning and sustainability for balancing local growth, energy use, and goals for a healthy environment. Both the energy efficiency and the environmental aspects of public buildings, public utilities, transportation, and water systems are considered. Solutions are intended to foster local economic development as well as the health and well-being of the citizens of the community. From the U.S. Department of Energy.

List of Associations & other groups

Northern California Solar Energy Association (NCSEA)
or email: ncsea@ihpva.org.

Passive Solar Industries Council (P.S.I.C.)

Plumbing-Heating-Cooling-Contractors (PHCC) National Association
VA, USA

Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning Contractors National Association (SMACNA)
Sheet Metal Ducting; Chantilly, VA, USA

Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA)