Outdoor lighting systems have evolved considerably in the past twenty years since the first California outdoor lighting baseline assessment project was completed in 20031. When the 2003 study  California Outdoor Lighting Assessment study was completed, LED fixtures didn’t exist in any form and...

All existing refrigeration systems operate 24/7/365 and consume vast amounts of energy to maintain the required temperature to prevent spoilage of food, medicine, flowers and industrial chemicals.  It is standard practice that all refrigeration systems are designed to maintain temperature even on...

In commercial buildings where forced-air heating and cooling systems are employed, the efficiency of ductwork plays a pivotal role in both energy management and indoor air quality.  According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration's (EIA), ventilation systems in commercial buildings consume...

Transcritical carbon dioxide (TC CO2) is emerging as the preferred low Global Warming Potential (GWP) option for commercial refrigeration systems in supermarkets and grocery stores. The unique system architecture and operating characteristics of CO2 make it difficult to model because these systems...

This project will assess pathways, technical solutions and guidance for simplified DIY homeowner or general contractor replacement of existing electric and gas water heaters with new heat pump water heaters (HPWH) in California. Permitting and code requirements for water heater installations can...

The two largest decarbonization targets in a commercial building are typically space heating and domestic hot water. Just these two end-uses account for well over 90% of the natural gas usage in most commercial buildings (excluding food service). Energy efficient, cost-effective solutions for...

The proposed project is a field demonstration of natural refrigerant (CO2) for high volume milk cooling on the dairy farm. Traditional methods of cooling high flow rates of milk have evolved over time from the use of different synthetics such as CFC’s, HCFC’s, and HFC’s. This proposed CO2 chiller...

With increased residential electrification, households are reducing their carbon footprint by replacing gas appliances and vehicles with all-electric alternatives. In California, the state has set a goal to reach 100 percent zero-carbon energy by 2045 (Executive Order B-55-18). While the reduction...

Central heat pump water heating systems (CHPWH) are crucial for the greenhouse gas, decarbonization, and energy efficiency goals of California. This technology is relevant to a large portion of the multifamily and commercial building market and the earliest adopters are beginning to install these...

Water heating energy use in multifamily buildings can account for 27 to 32 percent of total energy use based on 2015 Residential Energy Consumption Survey by U.S. EIA. Heat Pump Water Heating (HPWH) systems use electricity to produce hot water by transferring heat energy from one source, typically...