CMFNH Newsletter - 2011, Quarter 2

Quarterly CMFNH Newsletter – vol.2, ed.2 2nd Quarter 2011

Energy News & Tech Tips.

Project of the Quarter

Photo out courtesy of Frank Domin Photography

Name: Vista Meadows City: Hollister Percent above 2005 Title 24: 67.10% Developer: Mid-Peninsula Housing Corporation Architect: TWM Architects & Planners Energy Consultant: Belden Consulting Engineers HERS Rater: Bright Green Strategies Construction Team: Kent Construction and South County Community Builders Energy Efficiency & Sustainable Measures:  High efficiency mini split heat pump/AC  Solar thermal hot water with central boilers  100% of unit and common area electricity offset by PV  Super Low E Windows  Fluorescent light fixtures  Wet-blown cellulose insulation  Radiant barrier roof sheathing  R-38 attic insulation  ENERGY STAR Appliances *The project completing within the current quarter exceeding Title 24 by the highest percentage is considered Project of the Quarter.

Tech Tip: Right-Sizing for California ENERGY STAR® An oversized HVAC system can cost more than just the increased sticker price. The ‘rule of thumb’ methodology used in the past, based on building size and several ‘safety factors’, is not only inaccurate, but can be damaging to the equipment and the owners checkbook. An oversized system will cycle on and off more frequently, flooding the ducts with blasts of cold air followed by shutting down the system. Oversized system downsides can include:  Decreased energy efficiency  Increased energy bills and initial system cost  Reduced lifespan of the equipment  Inadequate removal of moisture from the air  Reduced comfort due to poor mixing of conditioned and ambient air  Noisy operation in startup and shutdown Properly sizing a home HVAC system requires precise calculations of the buildings cooling load. For ENERGY STAR® compliance in California, this can be done using ACCA Manual J or the ASHRAE methodology used in the California residential Title 24 modeling software. Next, the sensible cooling load must be converted into the Maximum Rated Cooling Capacity using the equations and tables in the 2008 Title 24 Residential Appendix RA1 – HVAC Sizing. Using Appendix RA1, a participating ENERGY STAR® builder can select the ‘next available size’ condenser unit to comply. For example, if the calculated Maximum Rated Total Cooling Capacity is 28,000 btu/hr (or 2.3 tons), a builder can choose a 2.5 ton condenser unit to comply with California ENERGY STAR® guidelines.

Note that Title 24’s HERS Maximum Rated Cooling Capacity credit is more stringent than California ENERGY STAR®, as it requires that the AHRI rated system capacity be strictly less than the Maximum Rated Total Cooling Capacity.

For more information on California’s ENERGY STAR® right-sizing requirements, visit: www.energystar.gov/ia/partners/bldrs_lenders_rate rs/downloads/CA2006ESQualifiedHomes.pdf.

Program Completions Congratulations to the following developers that recently completed construction and participation in CMFNH!

A Message from our Partner:

Developer Name - Percent above 2005 Title 24         

Bill Webb Homes – 18.08% Burbank Housing Development Corp – 34.00% Community Housing Development Corp – 27.60% DR Horton – 37.90% and 36.80% Housing Authorities of City & County of Fresno – 28.10% Neighborhood Partners, LLC – 27.40% Northern Valley Catholic Social Services – 35.30% Pacific West Communities – 20.53% Mid-Peninsula Housing Corporation – 67.10%

Program Update: Events & Trainings The CMFNH team is pleased to continue offering webinars for the residential market, sponsored

by PG&E, and focused on the components that impact the design and construction of energy efficient residential projects. Webinars typically run from 11am-1pm on the third Tuesday of each month. Upcoming webinars include: Design for Net Zero: Multi-Family Modeling Techniques 07/19/2011 Register Here Manufactured Multi-Family: Modular & More 08/17/2011 Register Here Energy, IAQ, and Air Leakage in Multi-Family Structures 09/2011, date TBD For detailed descriptions of all our upcoming webinars, follow this link: http://multifamily.h-m-g.com/training.

Energy Upgrade California – Alameda County In Alameda County, multifamily property owners are eligible for free technical assistance and green labeling rebates for upgrades to existing buildings. Benefits include: 1. Free expert consulting to facilitate program participation and: • Identify applicable incentives, financing programs, and resources • Convene a green building charrette with the project design team • Set goals to comply with GreenPoint Rated and related energy programs • Benchmark utility use • Find product resources such as bulk purchasing 2. Green labeling rebates from $3,000 to $30,000 per property are available for projects to earn a GreenPoint Rating. Rebate is designed to offset the costs of third-party Rater verification and Build It Green certification. Exact amounts are assessed on a case-by-case basis, depending on property size and other factors.

Reserve your place by contacting multifamily@stopwaste.org or download an interest form from www.MultifamilyGreen.org today.

Program funds are given on a firstcome first-served basis to owners of properties with 3 or more attached units in Alameda County.

Quarterly CMFNH Newsletter – vol.2, ed.2 2nd Quarter 2011