Photovoltaic (PV) and Battery Systems: The Backend

Photovoltaic (PV) and Battery Systems: The Backend

As the new building code comes into effect January 1, 2020, solar PV systems are becoming a new normal for residential and nonresidential buildings, with batteries not far behind. It will fall on architects, contractors, developers, and other specialists involved in the process of designing and building buildings to make this transition effective and efficient.

Air-Source Heat Pumps: Simple, Efficient, Economical

Air-Source Heat Pumps: Simple, Efficient, Economical

As California continues to move new buildings towards the goal of more efficient, all-electric, fossil-fuel-free construction, technologies used for decades in other locations - despite feeling new here - will help us reach our goals. Solar panels will power our overall energy needs, while high-efficiency air-source heat pumps (ASHPs) will satisfy the conditioning needs of these buildings and homes.

Continuous Exterior Insulation: The Roadblock to Thermal Bridges

Continuous Exterior Insulation: The Roadblock to Thermal Bridges

Beginning January 1, 2020, the newest update to the California Building Code will take effect. For architects and builders, a significant change toward better performance of buildings and reduction of energy loads will be the inclusion of continuous exterior wall insulation on almost all new homes and buildings.