Energy and Sustainability Calculations and Documentation

WE NOW SHOW COMPLIANCE WITH THE 2010 CEC REQUIREMENTS*

Let us assist you in developing a passive solar scheme that will comply with the new Energy Efficiency and Sustainability Ordinances.

January 1 will mark a turning point in Northern California as a majority of cities and counties require strict energy efficiency and green building practices for most new or remodeled construction. Incorporating passive solar into your plans now can make the difference between showing compliance with the new regulations, or not.

For instance, the City of San Rafael,  requires new or remodeled construction to be from 9% more efficient than the 2008 California Energy Commission (Title-24) base standard for a 3501 SF house to 30% more efficient for a 5501 SF home. And this is for the already tough new 2008 CEC Standards which take effect on January 1.

Although San Rafael does not yet directly credit the use of passive solar, the additional mass and south-facing windows provided by a passive solar design will add as much as 20% to your Title-24 efficiency thereby allowing you to trade off this efficiency against the radically fewer windows that would be required otherwise.

ANALYSIS:  By using passive solar design, you or your client will enjoy more light inside the  home and more of a  view out of the home while still enjoying the energy efficiency being demanded to counter global warming.

Also, the majority of Northern California jurisdictions (and now Los Angeles County), in addition to requiring energy efficiency beyond that required by the state also require new construction to be “green” (sustainable.)
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The requirements here vary, but most standards DO give direct credit for utilizing passive solar from about 7 to 10% of the points required in addition to credit given for individual aspects of passive solar such as increased mass.

ANALYSIS:  Passive solar is always and in all ways positive for your project. It is the rest of the world that is catching up to what we always knew – that you can get much of your winter heating and summer cooling needs naturally through proper design without burning fossil fuels.

Let us show compliance for your project with 2008 California Energy Commission standards, which take effect for all projects submitted after December 31, 2009.  All work is done on the state-approved CALRES 2008 computer program.

We charge: 

$200 for projects up to 1000 square feet in size

$300 for projects from 1001 to 2999 square feet in size

$400 for projects > 3000 square feet in size

The fee includes all plan check corrections and one set of client revisions. Changes beyond that will be done at $50 and hour.

Turn around:

Typically, all work can be done within two days of the receipt of the plans. Call for availability and a firm scheduling commitment.