The energy crisis and global instability are raising our awareness of the importance of energy in everyday decisions. Today’s customers are no longer satisfied with a minimally-compliant building. After all, a building that just barely complies with California’s minimum Title 24 Part 6 energy standards is in fact the worst building that you are legally allowed to build. Furthermore, just because a building meets the minimum code, does not mean that it will be comfortable or affordable to operate. Why do we install space conditioning equipment in buildings in the first place? If we’re not comfortable, or if we can’t afford the utility bills, the building is basically uninhabitable. Also keep in mind that the energy standards are a moving target. What is minimally compliant today can’t be built 3 years from now. To be competitive in the market, building owners need to stay ahead of the curve. It is much easier to maintain reasonable utility costs if the building is constructed correctly from the beginning and that usually means an energy consultant is required.
Our consulting services rely on a systems approach, treating the building as an interactive system rather than as a number of isolated components. It is generally accepted that changing one part of a building affects the entire system...for the better or worse.
We offer comprehensive energy efficiency consulting services including: computational whole-building simulation, energy efficiency engineering and analysis, lighting design and mechanical equipment specification and installation, and HERS (Home Energy Rating System) verification of proper construction and equipment installation. Our suite of engineering and technical consulting services also includes on-site field verification during construction and energy audits of existing buildings.
Making an energy efficient building requires design assistance up-front and supervision during the construction process. Specifically we recommend:
Seal it Right
Our testing services ensure the air leakage across the building envelope and air distribution ductwork is within acceptable limits.
Insulate it Right
We perform computational building simulation during the design phase in order to optimize the insulation levels with respect to low heating and cooling bills and a favorable payback period. Our testing services ensure the highest quality insulation job, verifying proper insulation levels and the absence of compression, voids, and gaps.
Orient for Solar
One of the most cost effective ways to build a comfortable building with low energy bills is to orient it to capture sufficient sunlight in the winter and very little in the summer. Specifying appropriate window overhangs and high performance windows is one way to achieve this goal. We verify our designs with computational building simulation to optimize the orientation, overhangs, and window systems with respect to low energy usage and a favorable payback period.
Verify it’s Done Right
We specify high efficiency equipment but incorrect installation practices can erode expected energy savings and/or increase maintenance costs. Field verification ensures your equipment is installed correctly and reveals potential failures before it’s too late to fix.
Energy Parametrics, LLC
Comprehensive Energy Efficiency Consulting
