Thread by @PassiveHouseBB

Belated posts from @CABECdotorg conference: Keynote from @CalEnergy Commissioner McAllister told us we need to double our efficiency by 2030. 1/

Looked ahead to what this means for 2019 code cycle.... (which is starting to look kinda familiar..) 2/

And then he actually said it....(drumroll please.) The California Energy Commission will be looking at including alternate ratings, incl. #PASSIVEHOUSE, in the 2020 code cycle. (And he didn’t drop the mike, but should have!) 3/

My own presentation included details on PER (and other heresies.) As I’m the only architect at this conference, I went full revolutionary & advocated for ditching the ‘hamster wheel’ 3-year code cycle. (I’m for a fixed end goal code with clear targets, eg. @energystepcode.) 4/

A few people said they liked that idea. In hushed voices. Afterwards. When nobody else was around. 5/

Okay then... a few more people came over at dinner to say they LOVED my smack talk about getting off the hamster wheel of California’s never ending, T-24 energy code cycle. They want clear targets and good direction?! (Isn’t that hopeful @CalEnergy?) 6/

Panama Bartholomy (Yes that’s his real name) kicks off @CABECdotorg 2nd day keynote talking #electrifyeverything. Price spikes, toxicity & health issues are making gas a loosing proposition. 7/

Talks toxicity of gas cooktops and how top chefs are all using induction. (And gives a big shout-out to @GasWatchdog - a non-Russian not). 8/

Up next, Rory Cox @californiapuc talks policy uodates that support decarbonization. SB1477 implementation now being worked on. Two focus sectors: Tech & Build. 9/

Barriers to electrification still embedded in our policy (3-prong rule) and extend to market demand and untrained industry. Panel upgrade is additional challenge for retrofits. 11/

New metrics proposed to measure program outcomes include avoided GHG’s. (Whoohoo!) 12/

Rachel Kykendaal from @SonomaCleanPow shares programs that drive down GHG’s from electrification. Only req’s 20% better than energy code. (Psst... my #Passivhaus projects are ~40% better than T-24) cc.@CalEnergy 13/

Awesome off-site renewable power option available to owners who don’t /can’t do on-site PV is now available. Other incentives for load shifting options being given to all-electric clients. 14/

Editorial here: I’ve heard loads about load shifting & simply achieving energy code compliance @CABECdotorg conference. Not many carrots for building better or data on actual performance outcomes. (Low bar with no measurements = unknown outcomes.) 15/

Next up. Mike Maroney, TRC, shares scary details from CAHP (California Advanced Homes Program.) Vented attic details shown looked like a building science catastrophe. Also learning about O’Hagan vents.... oh boy! 16/

Another frustrating presentation on ACH-50 modeling study, based on CBECC-RES outputs. Finds low cost benefit to air sealing... ugh. Conclusions drawn based on unverified software and untested ACH assumptions. Sad. 17/

Next up: Tim Kohut talks high performance affordable family housing. Here’s an architect modeling his designs and finding performance benefits that sound a lot like #Passivhaus in his climate... (SoCal) 17/

Great to see this guy is monitoring his projects!!! 19/

Now I’m listening to Alea German of @Frontier_DEG, looking at Reach Codes for 2019 T-24 energy code. Here’s the process and assumptions: 20/

Results from both energy and GHG perspective favor the all electric options. (Lots of talk about ‘cost effective’ meaures here that would drive @GretaThunberg nuts..) 21/

“Uncertainty about what would be accepted by the @CalEnergy.” Updates to come will include options for #PassiveHouse !!! (Thx to @PassiveHouseCal) 22/

Editorial: can’t help thinking that @CABECdotorg community could better serve @CalEnergy goals if all building departments required prelim CF-1R reports at design review phase; completed filing w/ building permit set. Reluctance to go above min compliance needs 2 shift. 22/

Closing out with Brian Selby looking at what’s ahead in 2019 T-24 energy code. Multifamily buildings will now all require balanced ventilation or penalty is blower door test!! (Penalty? OMG 😮) Range hoods must be inspected. Still allowing whole house fans... (ugh) 23/

And the ‘bling’ will now be required for all new homes in California... 24/

But here are the exceptions.... (always read the fine print!) 25/

Great to see heat pump water heaters now included in prescriptive code. 26/

So much more, but that’s it folks! Big thanks to the @CABECdotorg community (and sponsors) for hosting. I had a blast!

Appendix: For those who followed this thread, (and want to read the aforementioned heresies) I’ve posted an annotated presentation for full scrutiny here: slideshare.net/Bronwynb/equit…

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