Energy Efficiency overview susan berston

1. Energy Efficiency overviewsusan berston sberston@ccsf.edu

2. Reducing our carbon footprint • The easiest way to do this is by not wasting energy, and using less whenever possible. • Turn off lights and appliances when not in use • Replace incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescents (CFL’s) • Wrap water heaters with insulation • Weather strip doors and windows • Is this enough to meet the goals of State and Federal Government? • You can measure your carbon footprint: • http://www.wecandothis.com/#/carbon-calculator

3. Reduce your Carbon Footprint A carbon footprint is "the total set of greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions caused by an organization, event or product" [1]. For simplicity of reporting, it is often expressed in terms of the amount of carbon dioxide, or its equivalent of other GHGs, emitted. Source: Wikipedia

4. Improving the energy efficiency of a building • Improve the energy efficiency of entire buildings. • There is an industry to do this. • There are incentives for building owners to make these energy efficiency improvements. • The energy efficiency of a building can be measured and improved. • Measuring energy efficiency focuses on heating and cooling systems of a building, also known as HVAC, and air flow through doors, windows, vents, floors, ceiling and walls. • A trained technician will perform a series of tests on a building called an energy audit. He/she will then make recommendations.

5. Building Envelope • Every building, residential or commercial should be thought of as a building envelope. • Every opening in that envelope (windows, doors, chimneys, un-insulated walls) is a place where air can move through the building. • We use gas or electricity to heat or cool the air in the building. • A certain rate of air flow or air exchange is necessary to keep the building clean. Too much of heated or cool air escapes into the outside world, we have to use more energy to keep the air in the building at a comfortable temperature.

6. Building Envelope diagram

7. Another small problem • When the air coming into a building enters through the basement, crawl space or attic that has mold, mildew, animal droppings or other pollutants that have health consequences.

8. Indoor Air Pollution

9. What’s an Energy Auditor? • An Energy Auditor measures the building: • Overall square footage • Dimensions or room sizes • Air conditioners • Ducts • Then the auditor conducts a series of tests to measure the rate of air flow through a building to see where and how big the air flow leaks are. • A door blower, duct blaster and infrared camera is used. Recommendations are made to reduce heat loss.

10. Recommendations • Can range from very simple to complete remodel. • The auditor can recommend other steps to improve the air quality within the building. • Examples include: • Moisture control • Mold or mildew removal • Pest control • Asbestos Removal • Changes in furnace or air conditioner models

11. Energy Audit Recommendations

12. Business Model for companies • The business model for companies performing Energy Efficiency Audits it to have a small number of trained auditors and • A larger group of laborers to perform the recommended improvements and • An office staff to handle customer service, scheduling, team communications and other administrative tasks.

13. Energy Audit Terms & Concepts • Building Performance • Building Envelope • Energy Audits • HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning) • Rate of air flow • Door blower • Duct blaster • Infrared camera • Weatherization, weather stripping • Insulation, R-value • High energy furnaces and air conditioners

14. Industry Programs & Certifications • BPI (Building Performance Institute), a national professional organization that trains and certifies contractors in Energy Efficiency. www.bpi.org • CBPCA (California Building Performance Contractors Association), a statewide organization that trains and certifies contractors. www.cbpca.org • HERS (Home energy Rating System) Level 1 & 2 certifications www.energy.ca.gov/HERS/index.html • CHEERS (California Home Energy Efficiency Rating System) certifications www.cheers.org

15. Utilities and Government incentive programs • Homestar (pending federal energy efficiency incentive program) • PACE (local energy efficiency incentive programs throughout the state) • Green Finance SF (a San Francisco energy efficiency incentive program) • PGE Energy Star Rebates for installing energy efficient furnaces and air conditioners • Federal Tax Credits for installing energy efficient furnaces and air conditioners

16. Solar Thermal and Solar PV Systems • The sun is a free, clean and renewable source of energy • There are a few ways to capture that energy for use • Every time we substitute energy from the sun for energy from fossil fuels (coal or oil), we are reducing the amount of carbon dioxide and pollutants we put into the atmosphere. • Solar Thermal Systems use the energy of the sun to make hot water, which can then be used in homes or businesses. • Solar PV (photovoltaic) systems use the energy of the sun to generate electricity. Utilities, state and local governments are creating programs that provide incentives for commercial and residential building owners to install solar systems.

17. Solar Energy is FREE!

18. Solar Thermal • Solar thermal uses the technology of heat transfer. • Solar thermal or Solar hot water is a closed plumbing system. • The pipes of the system make a loop: from the roof, down into the building, into coils inside a water heater tank, and back up to the roof. • The pipes are filled with fluid similar to antifreeze. • There is a pump that keeps the fluid moving around and around the loop. • The pipes on the roof are inside a panel, normally black, that absorbs the heat of the sun, and heats up the fluid in the pipes. • The pump moves that hot fluid down into the water heater tank. • The coils inside the water heater are like the radiator in a car. • As the hot fluid moves through those coils, the heat from the fluid is transferred into the water tank and the fluid is cooled. • The pump moves the fluid back up to the panel to be heated again. • One must hope that the sun is shining.

19. Solar Thermal Diagram

20. Solar Thermal, continued • In addition to the regular uses for hot water, solar thermal can be used to heat buildings. • The hot water generated can be used for radiant heat systems in floors or baseboard radiators. • Solar thermal systems can be installed by dealers that sell them, contractors or homeowners. Installers need to have knowledge of plumbing and basic construction. • The size and type of system depends on the hot water use patterns of the customer.

21. Solar PV • Solar PV systems generate electricity from the energy of the sun. Solar panels are mounted on roofs, carefully positioned to catch the most sun in that location. • The material in the solar panels spin off electrons when they are struck by photons (particles of light) from the sun. • The electrons travel down a wire as direct current (DC) electricity. • Since we are alternating current (AC) electricity in our homes and businesses, the electricity passes through a converter before it can be used.

22. Solar PV Companies • Companies that design and install Solar PV systems range in size. • Most of the employees in the largest companies do not install the solar panels. • They work in sales, estimating, warehouse, customer support, system design, engineering, marketing and other administrative support areas. • The installers needs to know construction and electrical skills.

23. www.gosolarcalifornia.org

24. Solar Technology Rebates/Incentives • Solar PV systems are much more expensive to purchase and install than Solar Thermal Systems. • A single family home, on average can spend $9,000 for a solar hot water system, whereas a solar PV system might cost $20,000.

25. Commitment to reducing carbon emissions – rebates and tax credits • California has made a commitment to reducing our carbon emissions. • Programs have been developed to reduce carbon emissions and encourage homeowners and businesses to invest in alternative and renewable energy systems. • These programs are developed by the utilities companies, the California Energy Commission, and the government of cities, counties and the State. • Some take the form of REBATES, others are TAX CREDITS or FINANCING options.

26. Getting the incentives • Most companies that sell and install solar systems help their customers to access all applicable incentives. • The incentives for each customer is determined by products purchased and the customer’s location. • A REBATE is cash back from the rebate program administrator, after the product is purchased. • A TAX CREDIT reduces the amount of income tax one has to pay, and may result in a tax refund. • Guidelines of the State or Federal tax rules must be met to qualify for a tax credit.

27. Financing Programs • Some governmental entities are creating financing programs to help customers purchase solar systems. • San Francisco has launched Green Finance SF to allow residents to finance their system through property tax.

28. Utilities and Government incentive programs • PACE (Local energy efficiency incentive programs throughout the state) • Green Finance SF (SF energy efficiency incentive program) • GoSolar SF (A SF solar system installation incentive program) • CSI (California Solar Initiative pays homeowners for part of cost of solar installation) • PGE incentives for installing residential solar thermal system (pending)

29. SF Board of Supervisors approve solar panel rebates for city residents