Program Success from A to V (Application to Verification)for Energy Consultants and HERS Raters

California Advanced Homes ProgramCalifornia Multi-Family New Homes

October 14, 2014Pacific Gas and Electric Territory

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Sponsored by PG&E

These programs are funded by California utility customers and administered by PG&E under the auspices of the California Public Utilities Commission.

“PG&E” refers to Pacific Gas and Electric Company, a subsidiary of PG&E Corporation. © 2014 Pacific Gas and Electric Company. All rights reserved.

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Program Overviews

Facilitate energy efficient design and construction through incentives and design assistance– California Advanced Homes Program (CAHP) – single family– California Multi-Family New Homes (CMFNH) – multi-family

Programs target two CPUC goals: – By 2015: 90% of new homes at least 20% better than 2008 code– By 2020: 100% of new homes to reach Zero Net Energy (ZNE)

Program is funded under the auspices of the CPUC– Programs may revise incentive levels and requirements during

the program cycle

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Agenda

1. Marketing and recruitment2. Application3. Plan review4. Verification

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Best Practices: how to create meaningful sales conversations

1. Understand and appeal to your prospect’s valuesPeople do not buy what you do. They buy why you do it.

2. Be equipped with responses to common challenges– Understand how energy inefficiency directly impacts the bottom line– Be familiar with common marketing concerns—what makes the

property stand out?– Appeal to green-minded qualities, desire to be the best or leaders in

new technologies and exceed code requirements– Make the case for comfort and durability, and maintenance and

operation benefits

3. Take advantage of tool kit and resources

Marketing and Recruitment

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Marketing Toolkit: Program Flyer

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Marketing Toolkit: Case Studies

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Marketing Toolkit: Application

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Marketing Toolkit: Incentive Structure

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1. Toolkit2. Project portfolio3. External networks: trade associations

– Building associations– Contractor associations– Property management or apartment associations

4. Selling Energy: Inspiring Ideas that Get More Projects Approved, Mark Jewell

Marketing Resources

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Application

Best Practices1. Submit entire application package as soon as possible to allow

time for review– Refer to the application checklists to ensure you have all documents– Clearly label all documents (i.e. ProjectName_Application_MMDDYY)– Use highlighter or circle the exact model and efficiency of planned

installations on all specification sheets

2. Initiate plan review BEFORE starting HERS testing or hanging drywall (projects cannot enter plan review if either process has already started)

3. Share the project with or add TRC to the project team in the appropriate registry (CalCERTS or CHEERS)

4. Maintain communication with your project team

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Application

Application ChecklistsCMFNH CAHP

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Calculate Your CAHP Score

Automatic: energy model outputs include Incentive ReportManual: Use the Score and Incentive Tool (available on the cahp-pge.com website>Program> CAHP Score & Incentive Tool)

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Automatic: energy model outputs include Incentive ReportManual: Use the Score and Incentive Tool (available on the cmfnh.com website>Money> CMFNH Score & Incentive Tool)

Calculate Your CMFNH Score

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Best Practices – Communicate all model and plan updates to Plan Review team– Ensure appropriate labeling of all model files and elements– Ensure model square footage matches plan square footage– Orientation modeled for custom homes needs to match the

provided site plan– Highlight specification sheets (e.g., HVAC, glazing, DHW) to

show the specific models being used in the project– Photovoltaic (PV) credit not allowed in CAHP/CMFNH to

improve compliance (NSHP allows PV credit in Tier I/II)

Plan Review

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Most Common Issues– U-factor/solar heat gain coefficient values impact on

compliance– Glazing areas in production homes: worst case scenario needs

to be modeled– Water heater type and efficiency– HVAC type and SEER/EER impact on compliance– Thermal mass modeling: include mark-ups on plans– Exterior shading: overhangs/fins

Plan Review

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Program Participation Flow

Verification

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EnrollmentTRC conducts plan

review, prior to dry wall

PG&E reviews project

enrollment package

Upon approval, Rater may begin

on-site verification

VerificationRater verifies

energy efficiency measures

Rater completes registry

certification

Rater confirms as-built Additional Energy Features

Incentive Submittal

Builder/developer notifies TRC of construction completion

TRC submits incentive request

to PG&E

Upon approval, project team

receives incentives

Best Practices– Maintain communication with TRC – Report construction delays and challenges obtaining certificates

from subcontractors– Document all energy measures (i.e., photograph NFRC ratings)

Note: PG&E typically reviews project incentive requests within three months. TRC will notify the project team after PG&E approves the project.

Verification

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Common Issues – HERS tests do not appear as complete in the registry

– Check BEFORE the builder submits the incentive request form

– Lots assigned to incorrect or un-approved plan type– Builder needs to sign incentive request forms

– Signature from application package coordinators or energy consultants in place of builder is not adequate

Verification

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– Submit batches of lots whenever possible– Keep track of lot status (i.e., submitted, paid, rejected)– Clearly specify plan type on Incentive Request Form (i.e., Plan 1

with Bay, Plan 1 with Bay SOLAR, Plan 1x)– Refer to Plan Check Verification Summary Sheet for official plan

names – For solar homes (NSHP Tier 2 and kW kicker)*:

– Complete CF-4R-PV in the registry, prior to requesting incentives– Always indicate if lot is taking solar option (on IRF or via email)

– Submit GreenPoint Rated certificate for Green Home Certification Kicker*

*The 2014 program replaces Kickers with bonus points

CAHP Verification Considerations

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Why must I wait to begin verification until my project successfully completes TRC plan review?

CAHP and CMFNH encourage project teams to pursue deeper energy savings. Projects that have begun verification have likely reached a point where it will be challenging to adjust their scopes of work.

What do I need to do to receive my incentive?You can support developers and builders to request their incentives.1. Notify builder when lots/projects are complete in registry2. Encourage builder to contact TRC when lots/projects are complete3. Submit correct documents on time

• CAHP: Builder must submit Incentive Request Form (IRF)• CMFNH: Rater must submit Energy Measure Summary Sheet

Frequently Asked Questions: Verification

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How can I best support my clients during the verification process?

Your company can act of behalf of your builder clients to help gather, maintain, and finalize completion documents. Let TRC know when you expect to complete on site project verification and uploads, and communicate with the client when the project will be ready to submit to PG&E.

Frequently Asked Questions: Verification

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Upcoming Events

We look forward to continuing the conversation!

November 5:ENERGY STAR Certified Multi-Family High Rise Program Webinar

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Thank you!

CMFNH:info@cmfnh.com

Sophia HartkopfScott Kessler

Shannon Todd

CAHP:cahp@trcsolutions.com

Matthew ChristieKevin Robison

Michelle Waffle-OteroDeborah Hayman

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(866) 352-7457