Homeowner looking for a Contractor? Check out the Clean Energy Connection

blog

Industry Trends to Watch in 2024

Posted by Charley Cormany Efficiency, Electrification, and Decarbonization: Key Trends and Innovations in 2024 If you work in the energy industry, you’ve probably noticed that you could spend the first three …

The Clean Energy Connection – Powered by EFCA

Participating in rebate programs can be challenging. Staying on top of changes in the program and submitting the necessary paperwork takes time. One primary benefit of participating is the leads…

Read more

2023 Unpacked: EFCA Is Not Your Typical Trade Organization

Posted by Charley Cormany, EFCA Executive Director Back to In-Person Events 2023 was a whirlwind year for Efficiency First California. We started with a renewed sense of optimism. The days of …

Takeaways from the EPRI/CEC Building Electrification Summit

Posted by Charley Cormany, EFCA Executive Director California has positioned itself as a national leader in decarbonization. To meet its goals, the state needs to reduce emissions from all sources, including …

Making Exceptions Makes Sense, Except When it Doesn’t 

The buildings we occupy are complex. Each one is slightly different, and minor variances can significantly impact how they perform. Rebate programs and verification protocols do a reasonable job of…

Read more

Field Quality Control – An Outdated Idea or a Necessary Process?

As a program administrator for the Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD), Efficiency First currently manages several residential rebate programs. One of our most essential services is field quality control inspections…

Read more

Never Underestimate the Power of Innovation

Many barriers exist before we can fully transition to a clean energy future. Decarbonization and electrification efforts are gaining traction across the globe. There is no question this transition will…

Read more

Seattle

Highlights from the 2023 BPA National Home Performance Conference

Last month, we made a trek to Seattle to attend the Building Performance Association’s (BPA) National Home Performance Conference 2023. The trip exceeded our expectations, offering invaluable insights into the…

Read more

Technician with clipboard

The Last Mile: Why the Final Day of a Retrofit Project is the Most Important

Contractors work hard to install equipment and other measures to improve the performance of their customer’s homes. Energy upgrades have many benefits, improved indoor air quality, comfort, lower energy bills,…

Read more

Technician testing appliance

All-Electric Buildings – The Safer Alternative

Building electrification and heat pumps are getting a lot of attention these days. Most of the conversation centers on taking advantage of clean, carbon-free electricity from renewables. Heat pumps are…

Read more

Network graphic

Heat Pumps: A Great Technology With a Few Drawbacks

There is a trend in the industry to electrify everything, and heat pumps play a crucial role in buildings. Can the approach be as simple as replacing gas appliances with…

Read more

Idea graphic

Smart Decarbonization

The rush to a carbon-free future is in full swing. The effort has slowly been gaining traction, and funding from the Biden administration’s Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) will significantly advance…

Read more

IHACI Visual Services Manager screen view

The Latest From The Field – IHACI 2022

The Institute of Heating and Air Conditioning Industries (IHACI) is a nonprofit trade organization representing the Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) industry. Once a year, IHACI hosts a tradeshow…

Read more

Are Consumer Protections in the Heating and Cooling Industry Working?

When a building owner or homeowner contacts a heating and cooling professional, their primary concerns may not always be in their best interest. The restoration of service and price frequently…

Read more

Blue gas flames

Why is California Banning Natural Gas Heaters?

What’s the deal with California and natural gas in buildings? It started with cities and counties requiring new construction projects to be all-electric. On Sept. 22, 2022, California policymakers voted…

Read more

Money houses graphic

The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) is a Big Deal

The Biden administration has taken a significant step to address climate change. The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) has been signed into legislation. Over half of the $737B in the legislation…

Read more

Electricians working together

Contractors are facing two significant challenges to growth today. Supply chain issues are the first. Can you guess the second?

We spend a great deal of time talking to contractors. Understanding their challenges helps us focus our efforts as a trade organization. We continue to hear the same two concerns…

Read more

Heat pump collection

Five Reasons Heat Pumps Are Making the News

Heat pumps have been making the headlines recently. The Russian invasion of Ukraine has illustrated the security risks related to dependence on fossil fuels. Heat pumps are being promoted as…

Read more

Recording Heat Loss at the House With Infrared Thermal Camera

The Continued Value of Efficiency in a Decarbonization World

Posted by Charley Cormany, EFCA Executive Director It’s human nature — everyone wants to find that magic “silver bullet” that will solve all their problems. It’s no different in the …
Music City store sign

The BPA National Conference – How Was Nashville?

In April 2022, the Building Performance Association held its annual National Conference. For the past few years, the planners had to build a contingency for providing the content virtually due…

Read more

Gas stove flame

Still Think Gas Stoves Are Best for Cooking? Think Again

Posted by Charley Cormany, EFCA Executive Director For years, professional chefs have touted the benefits of natural gas stovetops for cooking. Gas burns clean, burners heat up instantly, and temperature …
Apply now button graphic

A Perspective on TECH Clean California Incentives

Posted by Charley Cormany, EFCA Executive Director If you are a contractor in California, you have likely heard about the new Technology and Equipment for Clean Heating (TECH) incentive program. …
Switch box graphic

Do You Really Need to Upgrade Your Service Panel to Electrify Your Home?

Picture a common scenario you have likely encountered in home electrification retrofits…a homeowner considering the switch to an electric heat pump water heater or space heater and faced with the likelihood…

Read more

renewable energy graphic

Is there a better way to access clean electricity than through the existing grid?

Electrification continues to get traction nationwide. Many are concerned about the impacts of adding electrical devices, like electric cars, to the grid. Naysayers claim this will only lead to more…

Read more

goal action plan graphic

Spend a Bit More Now to Save Loads Later

Heating and cooling replacements are often done upon failure. When this happens, the primary concern is to restore service, leading to decisions that have long-term impacts. Here are a couple…

Read more

aerial view of methane plume

What’s with all the natural gas bans in California?

In Dec. 2019, the city of Berkeley adopted a reach code that placed a ban on natural gas in new construction. Since that time, forty-nine other cities and counties in…

Read more

Clocks

How to Deal with Emergency Replacements and Still Support Electrification

Posted by Charley Cormany, EFCA Executive Director One of the biggest challenges for residential decarbonization is the emergency replacement of appliances. While many people could be convinced of the benefits …
heat pump

What’s the Deal with Contractors and Heat Pumps?

Electric heat pumps for space heating are getting a lot of attention these days, and with good reason. Heat pumps are a readily available alternative to gas furnaces. They are…

Read more

How heat pump water heaters work infographic

Heat Pump Water Heaters – We Need to Get this Right

The state of California has passed some of the most aggressive greenhouse gas reduction legislation in the county. To meet projected reductions outlined in these laws, California will need to…

Read more

Dripping faucet ripe for water savings

Simple Ways to Save Water – and Energy Too

California is yet again in the midst of a historic drought. Saving as much water as possible will be essential to make it through this parched summer. Read more for…

Read more

Couple huddled beside radiator

Energy Efficiency Finally Gets the Credit it Deserves

Home performance contractors have been selling deep energy retrofits for years. One of the critical selling tactics is concentrating on the Non-Energy Benefits (NEBs) of high-performance buildings. The real question…

Read more

Biden at climate summit

Changing the Focus: From Saving Energy to Saving the Planet

President Biden has already made it clear that combating climate change is a centerpiece of his administration’s agenda. Biden has reached an agreement with China and 40 other world leaders…

Read more

CEC logo with home page graphic

Having Trouble Finding a Clean Energy Contractor? Efficiency First California is Making it Easier

In the face of pandemic-related budget shortfalls, Efficiency First CA pivoted to keep staff working and created a tool that supports contractors in a new way. Read more to find…

Read more

House between two houses which are on fire graphic

Four Steps to a Clean Energy Future

Having the proper knowledge and guidelines to a clean future is crucial now, as we continually see the impacts fossil fuels make to our climate. There are many tools and efficient steps everyone can…

Read more

Building professionals graphic

The Biggest Barrier to Electrifying Buildings is not Technology

As California marches to an all-electric future, there will be challenges along the way. Market transformations require the coordination of multiple efforts. There are often significant barriers in policy or…

Read more

Sun breaking through clouds

2020 Changed Everything – Including the Home Performance Industry

No matter who you are, you probably will never forget 2020. The pandemic has affected the whole planet, and the world has changed. Events we once only dreamed of or…

Read more

Old habits vs new image

Why are Contractors Still Pushing Gas Furnaces?

California is blazing a path to all-electric homes. But replacing natural gas as our primary residential energy source will be a challenge. The real problem is shifting the perception of…

Read more

Gas flames graphic

How California’s Climate Policies Are Impacting “Clean” Natural Gas

Californians continue to burn natural gas, but they won’t be doing so for long. Recent policy is driving the trend to eliminate “clean” natural gas from energy production and residential…

Read more

Powerlines at sunset

Why Energy Efficiency is a Crucial Component of Grid Management

Cal ISO, California’s independent system operator, employs several strategies to help prevent rolling blackouts. Energy Efficiency has long played a critical role in grid management, and will continue to for…

Read more

Person wearing a mask

“I Hear You Knockin’, But You Can’t Come In” To My Home

Posted by Charley Cormany, EFCA Executive Director How contractors can continue to work in homes during a pandemic. Tips and new technology to help bid and complete projects in a …
Directional sign graphic

Requiring New Technologies Is Not Always the Best Choice

Regulations have their place. Supporters of new technologies often encourage mandates to ensure the adoption of their products. Are mandates the right way to get new technology into the hands…

Read more

Engineer working on breaker graphic

Are we overlooking the first step towards electrification?

Posted by Charley Cormany, EFCA Executive Director As we deploy more renewable generation, the electrical distribution grid is quickly becoming the cleanest source of power in the state. A few …
CO2 emissions down graphic

Is Energy Efficiency Dead In A Decarbonization Future?

Posted by Charley Cormany, EFCA Executive Director Over the past 50 years, energy efficiency has played a critical role in California. The state’s aggressive efforts to reduce energy consumption, triggered …
Silver Lining Ahead sign

Is There A Silver Lining To The Stay At Home Order?

Posted by Charley Cormany, EFCA Executive Director These are difficult times. While we all might hope that things can get back to “normal” soon, it’s likely that some things will …
Person using computer during Covid graphic

6 Tips For Working From Home

Posted by Charley Cormany, EFCA Executive Director A little over five years ago, I took on the position of executive director at Efficiency First California. It was a challenging time. I …
Infrared image of house

It’s All About BS: Building Science

Posted by Charley Cormany, EFCA Executive Director If you ask tradespeople or contractors about how and why they perform a specific task they do regularly in a certain way–like hanging HVAC ducts …
Smog over downtown LA

What Is Driving Changes In California Energy Policy?

Posted by Charley Cormany, EFCA Executive Director California is pushing hard to cut its carbon footprint.  Senate Bill 32 (passed in 2016), requires the state to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions …
House temperature graphic

Why Heat Pumps All Of A Sudden?

Posted by Charley Cormany, EFCA Executive Director Over the past year, it seems like everyone involved in California energy policy has started talking about heat pumps–even if they’re not 100 percent sure …
Wildfires and powerlines

The Power Is Off. Now What?

Posted by Charley Cormany, EFCA Executive Director Once again, California has been challenged by devasting and deadly wildfires ripping across the state. The Kincade fire raged out of control in …
Wildfires and powerlines

Are Autumn Firestorms and Power Shut Downs The New Norm For California?

Posted by Charley Cormany, EFCA Executive Director California is under siege; our fall warm winds have turned into a vehicle for disaster. If you watch the national news, it appears …
Change vs chance image

Unintended Consequences

Posted by Charley Cormany, EFCA Executive Director There is no doubt the electrification trend is taking hold in California. As reducing greenhouse gases (GHG) becomes the most important goal for …
Home improvements infographic

Will Decarbonization Work Without Energy Efficiency?

California is going through a policy paradigm shift concerning energy efficiency, the goal of saving energy overall taking a back seat to reducing emissions. With all of these changes, it’s…

Read more

Rooftops in city

Did You Know Your House Has A Tailpipe Too?

Posted by Charley Cormany, EFCA Executive Director Recently, there has been a noticeable shift in California energy efficiency policy. For years the focus has been on the overall reduction in …
Equipment

I believe in electrification. So why did I just install a new furnace?

Posted by Gabe Lieb, EFCA Director of Strategy Our executive director Charley Cormany works with the Building Decarbonization Coalition and National Resources Defense Council (NRDC) to bring a contractor’s perspective …
Person with card up their sleeve

How To Hide The BS In Your Work

Posted by Charley Cormany, EFCA Executive Director Building Science (BS) is pretty powerful stuff. Home performance contractors have been providing data and improving building science techniques for well over 30 …
BPA Logo

Efficiency First is Now Part of the Building Performance Association

Posted by Charley Cormany, EFCA Executive Director Two years ago at the Home Performance Coalition conference in Nashville, a few folks had an after-hours conversation discussing the state of the …
Florez family photo

Residential Energy Efficiency Business Partners You Might Be Overlooking

Posted by Charley Cormany, EFCA Executive Director The role financing plays in building comprehensive projects. If you are a contractor, you most likely spend a fair amount of time generating …
Happy HVAC crew member installing a mini-split heat pump

Membership Is The Power Of Many Voices

Posted by Charley Cormany, EFCA Executive Director We are in a push to build membership. Recently I stopped to ask myself what is the message we need to send in …
Powerlines

Will PG&E’s Bankruptcy Filing Help Or Hurt The Industry?

Posted by Charley Cormany, EFCA Executive Director The Grid Is Changing The recent fires in California have had tragic consequences. Thousands of people have lost their homes. Many have lost …
Screenshot of homepage

Launch Of Our New Website

Posted by Charley Cormany, EFCA Executive Director After much consideration and research, we’re very excited to announce the launch of Efficiency First California’s new website! We’re now using a software …
Carnival infographic

2018 IHACI Trade Show- What You Missed

Posted by Charley Cormany, EFCA Executive Director Recently, I attended the 39th annual Institute of Heating and Air Conditioning Industries (IHACI) trade show in Pasadena, California, in the hopes of …
Power lines at dusk

Home Performance In California Is Changing

Home performance hasn’t changed much over the past 30 years. Recently though, a few big things have started to change in the world of energy. Contractors need to be aware…

Read more

Precision image

Quality Work Is Worth The Effort

Posted by Charley Cormany, EFCA Executive Director A few rotten apples The world is full of contractor horror stories. Over the years, contractors have lost customer trust, often for good …
House utilizing electrification infographic

What You Missed At The ZNE Retreat

It’s amazing how many energy efficiency conferences and workshops have surfaced recently. The Redwood Energy Zero Net Energy Retreat, which takes place twice a year, is one of the best…

Read more

Home with solar panels

On-The-Job Experience: Why Electrification Is Better And Cheaper

Sean Armstrong is the Managing Principal of Redwood Energy, one of the nation’s leading ZNE design firms and an Efficiency First California board member. His argument for electrification is based …
Project made of wood

TEDx HPC Conference 2018

This year, the Home Performance Coalition hosted it’s first annual TEDx event at its national conference in Philadelphia. The room was packed, the BYOB was flowing and the energy was…

Read more

Group of building professionals

The Real Heroes Of Home Performance

When you become a business owner you quickly learn the true cost and value of employees. Good ones are hard to find, especially in tight labor markets where there are…

Read more

Person with hard hat in front of solar panels and turbines

The Best Energy Source For Our Future

When it comes to energy, society is at a crossroads. Our existing supplies are heavily based on fossil fuels, a limited and dirty solution. There are alternatives to the current…

Read more

Incentives image

When Good Incentives Go Bad

It’s a common practice to try to encourage or change behavior with incentives. What happens when you encourage the wrong behavior?

Read more

CA state flag

Advocacy Update: The State of California

Posted by Charley Cormany, EFCA Executive Director We’re taking a departure from the goings on at the state capital and will instead focus on some events that are occurring across …
Early human with fire in cave

Get Fire Out Of Our Buildings

In today’s world fire still provides most of the heating needs in our dwellings. Why are we still burning things at all and how can we change it? It turns…

Read more

Energy Usage Data image

Will Data Save Home Performance?

Having a good way to measure efficiency is valuable to the home performance industry for many reasons. Until recently though, measuring energy efficiency has been easier said than done. Fortunately,…

Read more

house with stethoscope

Is Health The Future of Home Performance?

There are always positive and negatives sides of every story. We ask this questions again: should we be driving the home performance industry to focus on promoting health benefits as…

Read more

Smoke from fire in hills near homes

3 Myths About Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)

Our Executive Director, Charley Cormany lives and works in Sonoma. In last months blog, he recounted his experience with the Northern California wildfires. During the fires and the dealing with…

Read more

Sonoma Fire

Fire, Smoke, and N-95s

When there is a wildfire the air quality suffers greatly. Unfortunately, people affected by the Northern California fires had to learn about PM2.5 and N95s ratings on face masks. Perhaps…

Read more

Child blowing nose

The Latest Trend in Home Performance: Why You Should Be Concerned

Should the home performance industry be driving a focus on promoting health benefits as a way to stimulate growth and potentially spur market transformation?

Read more

Energy Audit image

The True Value of an Energy Audit

Performing a residential energy audit can be time-consuming and not always get you a new client. Are you giving away a service for free?

Read more

Green houses image

Will ZNE Transform Energy Efficiency?

The combination of the reduced cost of solar panels along with advances in energy efficiency means the potential for ZNE is growing more attractive.

Read more

Match being lit

It’s Time to Stop Using Fire in Our Homes

It’s time to embrace the future and stop relying on “fire” as the go to energy solution in our homes. How can we ensure the homeowner’s safety, save utilities money,…

Read more

Carrot and stick stock image

Good Intentions, Poor Results

The energy efficiency industry in California is tangled with regulation. How can this regulation be better enforced, without wasting time and money?

Read more

What a dream job should look like

Building a Clean Energy Future, Respect for the People Who Will Build It

The California Home Performance industry is starving for workers. How did we get here and what are we going to do about it?

Read more

An image with different houses with different energy efficiency ratings

When Simpler is Better: Choosing the Right Home Efficiency Rating for Point of Sale Comparisons

Comprehensive industry tools like HERS have their place. But if we need a way to measure home efficiency at time of sale, a simpler tool would be better.

Read more

A family of four with a baby on its way in front of their home

Who’s Your Best Home Performance Customer?

If you figure out who your best home performance customer is, you can target your marketing and sales to get them. The key is to keep it simple and focused.

Read more

A heat pump unit being inspected by a home performance contractor

The Perfect Solution, and Why it is Not Working

California has made a lot of progress in its energy saving goals, but there’s one big roadblock to bigger gains in residential energy efficiency.

Read more

Tablet based energy monitoring

Can Energy Monitoring Services Bolster Your Bottom Line?

Find out how home performance and energy efficiency contractors can use energy monitoring services like HVAC companies uses annual service contracts.

Read more

Too many things on your to do list

Stepping Back: Work on Your Home Performance Business, Not in It

If you’re constantly putting out fires at your home performance or energy efficiency business, then how do you find the time to think bigger picture?

Read more

an American flag, a piggy bank, and an LED bulb

What Trump Does Not Know About Energy Efficiency

Trump thinks global warming is a hoax, wants to promote coal and gut the EPA. Does energy efficiency have a chance in this new era? We think it does.

Read more

Image of the new way and the old way of doing things

4 Ways Residential Pay-For-Performance Will Change The Market

PG&E has sent out an RFP to create a residential pay-for-performance pilot program for energy efficiency. Is it more of the same, or a game changer?

Read more

a utility meter in front money saved from energy efficiency programs

6 Ways Recent California Legislation Will Change Home Performance

California home performance contractors have been a secondary part of the incentive process for years. Recent legislation is bringing positive changes.

Read more

File system stock image

Getting the Systems Right: What I’ve Learned About What Works for Contractors—and What Doesn’t.

The right systems can turn a chaotic and inefficient work environment into a thriving energy efficiency contractor business. Here’s what I’ve learned works.

Read more

Money on the table for energy efficiency upgrades because of financing

Is Your “Bag of Tricks” Missing a Critical Tool?

If you’re not offering financing to your energy efficiency upgrade clients, you should. Now more than ever there are better options. Find out more.

Read more

Putting on shoe covers to help keep a customer

10 Ways for Contractors to Be More Professional

Being more professional can help any contractor business be more successful, especially energy efficiency and home performance ones. Here are 10 tips.

Read more

Bringing contractors to the table will help grow the home performance industry.

It Takes a Village to Raise a Home Performance Industry

One of Efficiency First California’s goals is to help build a sense of community between home performance and energy efficiency contractors. Here’s how.

Read more

Flex ducts like these are one type of material that needs to be managed

7 Ways Contractors Can Reduce Materials Costs

Growing your contracting business is exciting. Figuring out how to reduce your materials costs is not. Here are some tips from a former contractor.

Read more

Happy HVAC crew member installing a mini-split heat pump

Why Should You Support Your Trade Organization

Trade group membership is about more than discounts. Joining is also about supporting advocacy, helping build a community and having access to resources.

Read more

A construction worker falling off a ladder

8 Tips about Insurance for Contractors

As a contractor, you probably feel too busy to figure out insurance. That’s how EFCA Board Member Ori Skloot felt. Then he learned more.

Read more

Solar PV being installed as an added measure on a home performance upgrade

7 Services to Add to Your Home Performance Toolkit

It’s a good idea to add services to increase job size or to help get work in the slow season. Learn from AHE’s experience trying 7 home performance add-ons.

Read more

EFCA applies advocacy to the California Energy Efficiency industry

The Challenges of Energy Efficiency Advocacy

As a trade organization, Efficiency First is responsible for Advocacy in Washington DC. EFCA is responsible for California. Here are the challenges.

Read more

Indoor air quality is one of the side benefits of energy efficiency upgrades

What Really Sells Energy Efficiency Upgrades

Contractors are often too focused on the rebates and energy efficiency. The industry has to do a better job of highlighting the other benefits of upgrades.

Read more

Ori with a homeowner during a sales visit and energy audit

Six Keys to Selling Energy Efficiency

You need to help your salespeople become comfortable selling. Beyond that, here are six key practices that defined Advanced Home Energy’s sales process.

Read more

Google Home Service Ads for HVAc contractors in Bay Area

Google HSAs are Bad for Energy Efficiency

Google has been testing a new product in the Bay Area, called Google Home Services Ads (HSAs). Recent updates are bad news energy efficiency contractors.

Read more

EFC presentation

PG&E’s Contractor Exchange – Was it Worth Attending?

The 2016 PG&E Contractors Exchange mingled Home Performance Contractors with A/C Quality Care Program contractors. Was attending the event still worth it?

Read more

Logos

The “M” Word

Posted by Charley Cormany, EFCA Executive Director No it’s not married or money or mad it is the word modeled. More specifically it is the process of using models to …
StayGolden flag

Energy Upgrade California is Not Sustainable

Posted by Charley Cormany, EFCA Executive Director Those might be tough words to hear to those of you that have ignored the warnings and built your business around a rebate …
The Whitehouse

New momentum in the California Legislature is leading to real change in the industry

Posted by Charley Cormany, EFCA Executive Director After years of doing the same thing and expecting a different result there is finally some real change on the horizon for the …