How does LED lighting work? LED stands for light emitting diode. LED lighting products produce light approximately 90% more efficiently than incandescent light bulbs, and emit much less heat into the living space. How do they work? An electrical current passes through a microchip, which illuminates the tiny light sources we call LEDs and the result is visible light. LEDs produce a pleasing light that is easy on the eyes, similar to incandescent bulbs and much less harsh than compact fluorescent lighting (CFL). Read this article by ENERGY STAR® for an in-depth explanation of LED lighting technology. LEDs provide excellent cost savings LEDs provide significant energy savings versus traditional incandescent bulbs and decent increased savings versus CFLs. However, when considering LEDs versus CFLs, it is important to consider the expected…

The California Multifamily New Homes (CMFNH) program values feedback from our participants. We are now able to offer incentives for high-rise projects looking to take advantage of two of our kickers. The 100% LED Lighting kicker is available for both high-rise and low-rise projects. For low-rise projects, this kicker can increase your Delta EDR score, increasing your ability to qualify for the program and your incentives. For high-rise projects, an additional $15 per unit will be included in your incentive reservation. In order to qualify for this incentive, a project must have 100% hard-wired LED lighting on the project. Learn more about LED lighting here. High-rise and low-rise projects installing ENERGY STAR Tier II appliances are also eligible for an additional kicker. Similar to the 100% LED Lighting kicker, this…

The 2017 CMFNH program uses the Delta Energy Design Rating, or Delta EDR, which is based on the California Energy Commission’s Energy Design Rating, to determine project eligibility and incentives. Delta EDR, which uses Title 24 modeling rules for its calculations, is the difference between the project’s Standard Efficiency EDR and the Proposed Efficiency EDR. In other words, the Delta EDR compares a home’s energy use to what that same home’s energy use would be if built to the prescriptive path. The CMFNH team has put together a Delta EDR fact sheet, which further explains Delta EDR is, how you can generate your rating using CBECC-RES and EnergyPro to determine whether your project will achieve the minimum Delta EDR score for program eligibility. Click here to view the Generation of Delta…

The California Multifamily New Homes (CMFNH) program only requires a few things in order to submit your project for eligibility review. Once your project is past schematic design, the CMFNH team can help determine if your project is a candidate for the program. If your project is near the drywall installation phase, contact a CMFNH representative as soon as possible. Per program policy, projects that have drywall installed are no longer eligible. A complete application package consists of: Application Energy Model(s) Energy Model CF-1R(s) or PERF-1C(s) Architectural Plan Set PG&E Will Serve Letter or Application for Service Developer Survey (contact your CMFNH representative)

The California Multifamily New Homes program promotes and facilitates energy-efficient design in newly constructed low-rise and high-rise multifamily housing. This is done through free design assistance, cash incentives, program coordination, and educational opportunities for all participants. For a quick overview of the program timeline and incentives available, please reference this resource for the 2017 program. CMFNH 2017 Fact Sheet

The California Multifamily New Homes Program 2017 handbook is now available for all participants. Please follow the link below to view the handbook and learn how to receive incentives for 2016 Title 24 Code projects in PG&E service territory.   2017 Program Handbook

The CMFNH program has a $5,000 incentive available that goes directly to the developer. All enrolling projects are eligible to take advantage of this incentive by hosting a meeting with a CMFNH team member and specific members of the project team. During this meeting, the energy efficiency of a project is discussed. The purpose of the charrette is to facilitate project round tables and bring the project team members together from multiple disciplines to discuss project goals and encourage the achievement of deeper energy savings.  If the project is participating in any other energy efficiency programs, representatives from those programs should also join the meeting. The below criteria will qualify a project to receive this incentive: Discuss and formalize the energy efficiency strategies of the building Project team members in…

Learn about the Delta Energy Design Rating, the new eligibility metric for the California Multifamily New Homes program. The Delta EDR is the difference between the ‘Standard Design EDR’ and the ‘Proposed Design EDR’. The current versions of CBECC-Res and EnergyPro generate multiple versions of the EDR. Below is a list of the five EDRs currently available. The minimum requirement for entry in to the program is a Delta EDR score of 3 for all climate zones (CZ 1-16). The Delta EDR compares a home’s energy use to what that same home’s energy use would be if built to the prescriptive path. For an equitable entry across all climate zones, the Delta EDR also allows bonus performance embedded “Point Kickers” that can add to the Delta EDR points for incentive calculation.…