The 2019-Code goes into effect January 1, 2020 -  just around the corner considering construction timelines. CMFNH and CABEC strongly encourage all energy consultants to test out the 2019-Code beta software (also called research versions) before the code change. Testing will help gain familiarity with software and the new code, test how certain building designs fair, and surface bugs, errors, and missing features to inform the development team ahead of final release. For residential buildings, the new code includes: More stringent wall insulation values, including QII in the reference baseline A new baseline for electric water heating The Energy Design rating - a brand new method of code compliance that requires a user adhere to both an Efficiency-EDR and a Final-EDR simultaneously (see CMFNH’s EDR Fact Sheet here for more…

The 2019 residential energy code (2019-Code) will use a new energy efficiency metric to gauge code compliance: the Energy Design Rating (EDR) will replace compliance percent for low-rise multifamily buildings. Each metric accomplishes a similar task – determining if a proposed-building uses less energy than a prescriptive-building of the same size and in the same climate zone. The difference between compliance percent and EDR is simply the mathematical construct used behind the scenes in the modeling software and the inclusion of all energy end uses within EDR. CMFNH participants may be familiar with the EDR already as it’s being used for low-rise program compliance with the 2016-Code program. For the full write up, please follow this link.

California’s current energy code, Title 24, establishes construction of high performance walls (HPW) as the base model in all new low-rise multifamily buildings. Many builders elect to build to the performance path, which allows for conventional walls if the builder installs other performance features, most often solar photovoltaics (PV). There are many factors for builders to assess when considering whether to incorporate HPW into new buildings now—including the fact that the 2019 version of Title 24 is just around the corner. Below are three reasons California builders want to incorporate HPW into multifamily new construction. Be Prepared for the 2019 Code On January 1, 2020—15 months away—2019 California building code will come into effect. The 2019 code not only requires more efficient energy measures, it also removes commonly used HPW…

The California Advanced Homes Program (CAHP) and California Multifamily New Homes (CMFNH) program provide EDR and cash bonuses for industry best-practice measures to reward builders and homeowners. These bonuses also help offset the incremental costs for these added measures. This new cash bonus is model-able and available for all 2016 code single-family and low-rise multifamily projects, as applicable. Quality Insulation Installation (QII): Single family and low-rise multifamily projects QII outlines a procedure to verify proper installation of insulation to maximize thermal benefit per methods detailed in the Residential Appendix RA3.5, and applies to floors, walls, roofs and ceilings. Claiming compliance credit for QII requires that a third-party HERS Rater verifies the integrity of the installed insulation. The incentive dollars available for this bonus kicker are $45 per multifamily unit, and…

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. (more…)

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)