Energy Codes & Ratings

Appliance efficiency standards, building energy codes, and energy performance rating systems have emerged as low-cost, high-impact strategies that rapidly achieve energy efficiency and carbon reduction policy objectives. Since the mid 1990s, Energy Solutions has contributed to the development of numerous federal and state appliance standards, state building codes, and a third party rating system – which together have led to very large energy savings.

Energy Solutions works on behalf of our clients at the policy and program levels. At the policy level we participate in energy codes and standards proceedings, lead analyses to develop and support proposed standards, conduct market and technology research, defend proposals at public workshops, and negotiate proposed consensus standards with industry and non-governmental organization stakeholders. We also manage the daily administration and operation of a third party energy performance rating system.

Buildings & Appliance Codes and Standards

For over 10 years, Energy Solutions has been involved in all stages of federal and state appliance standards development and adoption processes.

PROJECT: Title 20

Energy Solutions has served as both a technical consultant and team manager of a group of consulting firms supporting the PG&E Codes and Standards Program in the 2001, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2009, and 2010 California Title 20 Appliance Efficiency Regulations proceedings. PG&E Codes and Standards team developed, presented, and defended over 30 proposed standards under those proceedings. Resulting standards are predicted to reduce annual statewide energy efficiency consumption by an estimated 6,000 GWh by 2015 and deliver significant water and natural gas savings. A number of these California appliance standards have subsequently been translated into federal appliance standards through the legislative process, further leveraging successes in the Title 20 arena.

PROJECT: Electric Vehicle-ready Building Codes

Energy Solutions worked with the California Investor Owned Utilities and California state agencies to develop precedent-setting EV-ready CalGreen building codes (Title 24 section 11). Local jurisdictions can adopt these standards to avoid the need to later break open walls or concrete to install electric vehicle infrastructure, dramatically reducing the costs.

PROJECT: California TV Efficiency Standard

Energy Solutions assisted PG&E with the development of a proposal for an energy efficiency standard for televisions that became the foundation for the 2009 standard adopted by the California Energy Commission (CEC). In support of the nation’s first active mode television efficiency standard, Energy Solutions produced a technical and economic feasibility report, built a broad coalition supporting the standard that included all major California utilities and certain manufacturers, and provided technical and strategic support to PG&E throughout the Energy Commission’s rulemaking proceedings. Other states have since introduced bills modeled on this standard, and the Department of Energy is also now developing a standard at the national level.

Rating System Administration

Energy Solutions provides management and support services for the day-to-day administration of a third-party energy performance rating system.

PROJECT: Cool Roof Rating Council

Since 2003, Energy Solutions has contracted with the Cool Roof Rating Council (CRRC) to administer its operations. Governed by a Board of Directors elected by members, the CRRC is an independent, non-profit organization that maintains a rating system for the energy performance properties of roofing materials. The Council has established methods for evaluating and labeling the solar reflectance and thermal emittance of roofing products. It acts as a third-party clearinghouse to certify and publicize the ratings data so that the public can make informed decisions on roofing materials. As administrator, we develop test procedures, manage the organization’s finances, accredit independent testing laboratories and weathering farms, coordinate Board, Committee and Membership meetings, maintain the on-line Rated Products Directory, maintain the website as an educational resource, manage random verification testing of rated products, and market the rating program.

For more information, please visit www.coolroofs.org