400 Plaza Dr. #120 Folsom, CA 95630Phone: 916-221-3110 Fax: 916-404-0422
Building Analysis
We are experts on the California Building Energy Efficiency Standards. We've worked to research, develop, interpret, implement, verify and enforce the Standards for more than 25 years. The California Energy Code is the most stringent and complex in the world. We've developed systems, advocated processes and created tools to help understand and apply the code in a way that makes the process more effective, the building more efficient, the systems more cost effective and the occupants more comfortable.
Beyond the Code Consulting
Benningfield Group offers consulting for projects seeking to demonstrate good design practice, including participation in the following programs: High Performance Schools (HPS), CHPS Verified (CHPS), Savings By Design (SBD), and Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED). Our analysts can review your design at any phase to benchmark performance, provide consulting services including daylight analysis, and provide assistance in documenting eligibility.
Title 24 Energy Compliance Documentation
Benningfield Group offers Title 24 code analysis for multifamily and nonresidential buildings, including whole buildings, tenant improvements, remodels and renovations. Using state-approved software, we analyze the project and prepare the necessary documentation so that a building permit can be obtained.
Central Domestic Hot Water System Quality Control Manual
Through a contract with Southern California Gas Company, the Benningfield Group is developing guidelines for installers and inspectors of controls on CDHW systems within utilities’ Multifamily Rebate Programs. We are also providing training on fault detection, installation verification procedures, long term performance monitoring, and creation of owner’s maintenance manuals.
Incentive Programs
We believe that utilities in California and elsewhere in the nation have a very important role in creating, sustaining and pushing the market for energy efficient products, services and programs. Our programs, sponsored by utilities and the California Energy Commission, deliver energy efficiency 'negawatts' that help to sustain growth and preserve natural resources. We design, market, implement, advocate and assist in evaluating programs throughout the west. Our field representatives work together with architects, engineers, business owners, homeowners, building department personnel and school districts to increase energy efficiency.
On-Demand Efficiency
For Southern California Gas Company, we are managing a program that offers incentives for installation of demand controllers on central hot water systems. In multifamily buildings, hot water energy use usually represents the largest savings potential. Controls that shut off the circulation pump when it's not needed are very cost effective. Within our program, we work with the manufacturing, distribution, and installation channels to increase saturation of these controls. The program includes training and certifying plumbers, and monitoring installations to learn more about the characteristics of savings and optimal conditions for installation.
For more information please visit http://www.energydataweb.com/ode
Code Consulting
We work with the California Energy Commission and utilities to help promote practical, workable codes that save energy in new and existing buildings.
Energy Code Training Roadmap
Benningfield Group is working with PG&E and the statewide investor owned utility group to create a comprehensive roadmap for training services. Existing training protocols and programs will be investigated and a plan will be developed so that building energy analysts, plan reviewers and others involved in code application, implementation and enforcement can improve their skills.
Appliance Standards Survey
Benningfield Group is working with the California Energy Commission to develop a detailed picture of the kinds of appliances sold in California, their performance attributes relative to requirements of the Appliance Standards (Title 20), and the amount of product at or above minimum efficiency requirements sold in California.
2011 Building Standards
Benningfield Group is part of two teams working with the Energy Commission on development and analysis of potential changes to Title 24 in 2011. One team is focused on the Residential Standards and one on the Nonresidential Standards. Along with many others of the most respected experts in building performance analysis, we are helping to move the standards towards California’s goal of net zero energy new construction in 2020 (residential) or 2030 (nonresidential).
Energy Efficiency Research
We work with the California Energy Commission, Utilities, the Energy Foundation and others to research specific aspects of building energy performance and to create tools to help in evaluating and quantifying the effects of improved performance.
Demonstration of Field Effectiveness of Classroom VAV Units
Benningfield Group is working with Capital Engineering Consultants, Carrier Corporation and the California Energy Commission to measure the energy savings that can be delivered by installing a Variable Air volume supply fan on smaller packaged rooftop HVAC units. The project also has a component that allows students to monitor compare chart and graph their energy use when compared to other classrooms and the baseline classroom.
Multifamily Energy Efficiency Potential Study
The Benningfield Group is working with the Energy Foundation to analyze and report on the potential for cost-effective energy efficiency improvements in existing multifamily housing across the country. The report also estimates the greenhouse gas emissions reductions that would be associated with this level of efficiency improvement. We developed the report to help policy-makers understand this untapped resource, and the economic benefits of investing in multifamily energy efficiency.
Affordable Housing Utility Allowance Calculation
Benningfield Group offers analysis and preparation of customized utility allowance reports for affordable housing units. Standard utility allowances are generally based on older housing stock and don’t reflect energy efficiency gains realized in newer and rehabbed construction. Customizing an allowance to recognize energy efficiency design results in a more realistic allowance for utilities. This can provide property owners with increased cash flow and can ease debt coverage concerns.
Project–Specific Allowances Utilizing the California Utility Allowance Calculator (CUAC)
The CUAC is a tool from the California Energy Commission that provides a customized utility cost estimate for a project. It looks at types and efficiencies of appliances, water heating, building envelope and heating and air components to fine tune the estimated cost for utilities on a specific project. Benningfield Group analysts can create a building model or take one you already have, create a specialized file and run the data through the CUAC. The resulting report can save affordable housing developers several thousand dollars per year by accurately representing the lower utility bills that efficient construction provides.
Energy Efficiency-Based Utility Allowance Schedules (EEBUA)
Benningfield Group can provide a housing authority with an EEBUA, which HUD has identified as a “best practice.” An EEBUA fine tunes a housing authority’s standard utility allowance, recognizes energy-efficiency and more accurately depicts the cost associated with utilities. The EEBUA can be updated periodically to better reflect the housing stock governed by the housing authority.
We are experts on the California Building Energy Efficiency Standards. We've worked to research, develop, interpret, implement, verify and enforce the Standards for more than 25 years. The California Energy Code is the most stringent and complex in the world. We've developed systems, advocated processes and created tools to help understand and apply the code in a way that makes the process more effective, the building more efficient, the systems more cost effective and the occupants more comfortable.
Beyond the Code Consulting
Benningfield Group offers consulting for projects seeking to demonstrate good design practice, including participation in the following programs: High Performance Schools (HPS), CHPS Verified (CHPS), Savings By Design (SBD), and Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED). Our analysts can review your design at any phase to benchmark performance, provide consulting services including daylight analysis, and provide assistance in documenting eligibility.
Title 24 Energy Compliance Documentation
Benningfield Group offers Title 24 code analysis for multifamily and nonresidential buildings, including whole buildings, tenant improvements, remodels and renovations. Using state-approved software, we analyze the project and prepare the necessary documentation so that a building permit can be obtained.
Central Domestic Hot Water System Quality Control Manual
Through a contract with Southern California Gas Company, the Benningfield Group is developing guidelines for installers and inspectors of controls on CDHW systems within utilities’ Multifamily Rebate Programs. We are also providing training on fault detection, installation verification procedures, long term performance monitoring, and creation of owner’s maintenance manuals.
Incentive Programs
We believe that utilities in California and elsewhere in the nation have a very important role in creating, sustaining and pushing the market for energy efficient products, services and programs. Our programs, sponsored by utilities and the California Energy Commission, deliver energy efficiency 'negawatts' that help to sustain growth and preserve natural resources. We design, market, implement, advocate and assist in evaluating programs throughout the west. Our field representatives work together with architects, engineers, business owners, homeowners, building department personnel and school districts to increase energy efficiency.
On-Demand Efficiency
For Southern California Gas Company, we are managing a program that offers incentives for installation of demand controllers on central hot water systems. In multifamily buildings, hot water energy use usually represents the largest savings potential. Controls that shut off the circulation pump when it's not needed are very cost effective. Within our program, we work with the manufacturing, distribution, and installation channels to increase saturation of these controls. The program includes training and certifying plumbers, and monitoring installations to learn more about the characteristics of savings and optimal conditions for installation.
For more information please visit http://www.energydataweb.com/ode
Code Consulting
We work with the California Energy Commission and utilities to help promote practical, workable codes that save energy in new and existing buildings.
Energy Code Training Roadmap
Benningfield Group is working with PG&E and the statewide investor owned utility group to create a comprehensive roadmap for training services. Existing training protocols and programs will be investigated and a plan will be developed so that building energy analysts, plan reviewers and others involved in code application, implementation and enforcement can improve their skills.
Appliance Standards Survey
Benningfield Group is working with the California Energy Commission to develop a detailed picture of the kinds of appliances sold in California, their performance attributes relative to requirements of the Appliance Standards (Title 20), and the amount of product at or above minimum efficiency requirements sold in California.
2011 Building Standards
Benningfield Group is part of two teams working with the Energy Commission on development and analysis of potential changes to Title 24 in 2011. One team is focused on the Residential Standards and one on the Nonresidential Standards. Along with many others of the most respected experts in building performance analysis, we are helping to move the standards towards California’s goal of net zero energy new construction in 2020 (residential) or 2030 (nonresidential).
Energy Efficiency Research
We work with the California Energy Commission, Utilities, the Energy Foundation and others to research specific aspects of building energy performance and to create tools to help in evaluating and quantifying the effects of improved performance.
Demonstration of Field Effectiveness of Classroom VAV Units
Benningfield Group is working with Capital Engineering Consultants, Carrier Corporation and the California Energy Commission to measure the energy savings that can be delivered by installing a Variable Air volume supply fan on smaller packaged rooftop HVAC units. The project also has a component that allows students to monitor compare chart and graph their energy use when compared to other classrooms and the baseline classroom.
Multifamily Energy Efficiency Potential Study
The Benningfield Group is working with the Energy Foundation to analyze and report on the potential for cost-effective energy efficiency improvements in existing multifamily housing across the country. The report also estimates the greenhouse gas emissions reductions that would be associated with this level of efficiency improvement. We developed the report to help policy-makers understand this untapped resource, and the economic benefits of investing in multifamily energy efficiency.
Affordable Housing Utility Allowance Calculation
Benningfield Group offers analysis and preparation of customized utility allowance reports for affordable housing units. Standard utility allowances are generally based on older housing stock and don’t reflect energy efficiency gains realized in newer and rehabbed construction. Customizing an allowance to recognize energy efficiency design results in a more realistic allowance for utilities. This can provide property owners with increased cash flow and can ease debt coverage concerns.
Project–Specific Allowances Utilizing the California Utility Allowance Calculator (CUAC)
The CUAC is a tool from the California Energy Commission that provides a customized utility cost estimate for a project. It looks at types and efficiencies of appliances, water heating, building envelope and heating and air components to fine tune the estimated cost for utilities on a specific project. Benningfield Group analysts can create a building model or take one you already have, create a specialized file and run the data through the CUAC. The resulting report can save affordable housing developers several thousand dollars per year by accurately representing the lower utility bills that efficient construction provides.
Energy Efficiency-Based Utility Allowance Schedules (EEBUA)
Benningfield Group can provide a housing authority with an EEBUA, which HUD has identified as a “best practice.” An EEBUA fine tunes a housing authority’s standard utility allowance, recognizes energy-efficiency and more accurately depicts the cost associated with utilities. The EEBUA can be updated periodically to better reflect the housing stock governed by the housing authority.
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