I attended the morning session of Friday’s EnergyPro / Energy Upgrade California workshop. I have used EnergyPro for many years to do T24 compliance calculations and documentation for building permit submittals, so I was interested in learning about new uses for a very good software program. The workshop explained how EnergyPro can be used to analyze the benefits of upgrades to home energy-efficiency measures; things like adding insulation, fixing leaky heating ducts and replacing old furnaces and windows. The Energy Upgrade California program offers rebates to homeowners for qualifying improvements. Requirements for documenting such improvements are fairly technical – that’s where EnergyPro can help. The software includes extensive capabilities to model a wide range of energy-efficiency improvements, and the ability to generate reports for documentation.

The workshop did not assume any prior knowledge of EnergyPro, so the morning session was spent in a basic introduction to the workings of the software. It seemed to me that about one-third of the attendees were already familiar with EnergyPro, so there was not too much new information for us. Of interest to me was instruction on the use of some sections of the software I’m less familiar with, including  detailed modeling of HVAC system features. For my usual T24 compliance work, it’s not necessary to go into such detail in that area.

I was sorry that I could not stay for the afternoon workshop session, which got into the actual production of Home Energy Assessment reports, and others required for the Energy Upgrade California rebate program. Report preparers for the rebate program are required to possess a fairly high level of state-approved certifications, so I would not be qualified for that work, but the preparation of a Home Energy Assessment report can be a very effective sales and marketing tool in itself. The report shows homeowners how much money they can save on their energy bills by installing specific energy-saving measures. I plan to get into that area, in partnership with contractors equipped to do the necessary testing. I believe that SCCG member Pat Splitt, who probably does have all or most of the required certifications, attended the afternoon session, so you might be able to get a more complete report from him on that part of the workshop. Another SCCG member, GC Scott Milrod, also sent a representative to the workshop. Scott is now doing a lot of energy-upgrade work, including the sort of testing required by the state rebate program.

Let me know if you have any questions about any of this information.

Best regards,
Carey Casey
Casey Building Design

Our February  meeting is a lunch meeting on Thursday, February 16, 11:30 – 1:00 at Lighthouse Bank downtown at Water and Center St.  The topic is ‘construction financing’.  Lighthouse Bank is a locally owned bank that does construction financing and is doing well.  This promises to be another informative meeting.  Refreshments will be served

Do you have a topic for a meeting?  Do you want to host a meeting?  Let me know.

Your local painting contractor, Surf City Painting, just picked up two more episodes of The Food Networks, Restaurant Impossible.  According to the show, we did an awesome job, they enjoyed working with us, and could tell we actually cared about the work we did when working the Hoffman’s episode.  We will be travelling to Benecia to assist the show in redoing a restaurant on Jan. 24 and 25.  We will be back in Aptos helping with another restaurant the week of Feb. 8 and 9^th.  We are appreciative and look forward to another experience.

Ron Myers

Surf City Painting

Certified Green Building Professional

Certified Building Analyst

www.surfcitypainting.com

831-818-5267

Please leave a comment below and let us know if you’re going to attend.  Thanks.

On Thursday 1/19/12 Myles Corcoran of MFC Consulting will host a SCCG member meeting at his office:

200 Seventh Avenue    Suite 230   Santa Cruz, California 95062

The topic will be a general overview of the new building codes.  This meeting promises to be very informative.  Please let me know if you’ll attend.  Thanks.

PS  The February meeting will be hosted by Lighthouse Bank.  The topic will be construction financing.

Here’s a cutting edge idea from a residential builder in Bozeman, Montana.  The big idea is to increase the amount of Made In USA materials and products by 5%.  This will have a real positive impact on our economy.   Check out Lewendal Construction and their faceBook page.  It’s good to see this kind of grass-roots creativity springing up in America.