In heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, airflow reported at the variable air volume (VAV) box is actually a measure of total pressure. It gets converted into an airflow by a multiplier that is generated during testing, adjusting and balancing (TAB). This multiplier is...
We don’t usually do consumer product reviews here at kW. But I have to admit that, I love my new Costco/Koda LED ceiling fixture so much I’m making an exception. Why? Because it is the perfect hallway lighting fixture for my home, and so far,...
The next milestone in Assembly Bill 802 (AB 802) reporting is here. Last year was the first year the legislation took effect, requiring building energy benchmarking for many buildings in California. Another year in expands the population of buildings now required to benchmark. In addition,...
As trade tensions continue to escalate between the United States and China, the lighting industry can’t help but be impacted. Most of the big brand lighting manufacturers headquartered in the United States manufacture vast swaths of their lighting products offshore. So it’s no surprise the...
Energy efficiency is in the spotlight more these days when the topic of climate change arises. It’s not obvious how the two are linked. Let’s look at exactly what it means to increase a building’s energy efficiency and how it helps reverse climate change. What Is...
We’ve recently seen an uptick in city and county building inspectors asking for mechanical acceptance forms prior to granting an occupancy permit. This trend demonstrates that perhaps code enforcement is catching up to code. As of the 2013 California energy code, effective July 1, 2014, mechanical...
You shop for the best gas prices, why not your electricity rates? If you’re considering buying an electric vehicle (EV), or are already an owner, it’s important to know what you’re paying to charge your EV so you can minimize your costs. With changing electricity...
Many lighting retrofit designs fail to fully consider egress and emergency lighting systems. These systems are usually required by state code and often superseded by local code or the requirements of the local authority having jurisdiction. Failure to provide adequate egress and emergency lighting controls...
San Francisco was one of the first cities in the U.S. to require mandatory, periodic energy audits for existing building stock. While those of us who perform energy audits, initially saw the requirements as a good opportunity, for a number of reasons mandatory audits have...
The world can finally see the real beauty and value of energy efficiency now that one of the world’s largest cities cast its spell and announced its Green New Deal. Energy efficiency has long been the Cinderella in Earth’s climate change story – overlooked because...