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Integrating new technologies into the production housing market has been ConSol’s passion. ConSol’s fosters the innovative use of resources so that homes are more energy efficient, builders realize more profit, and the final product does less harm to the environment. ConSol evaluates different combinations of energy-efficiency and new technologies to develop a preferred solution for a builder’s needs. ConSol’s consultants perform analyses of energy-efficiency features showing the range of efficiency levels, approximate construction costs, financial benefits and cash flow analysis, plus current incentive and tax credits opportunities. Consultants use certified software to evaluate kWh & Therm savings and accompanying pollutant reductions. ConSol has over 25 years of experience working with builders to improve efficiency of their homes, and, in the last decade, to successfully combine new technologies with energy-efficiency to produce extremely energy-efficient communities.

ConSol was awarded a Building Energy Research Grant (BERG) through the California Energy Commission’s Public Interest Energy Research (PIER) program to study the most cost-effective ways to eliminate space cooling loads for new residential buildings in California. California continues to set evermore stringent requirements for new residential construction. The California Energy and Public Utility Commissions have now set 2020 as the deadline for zero energy homes; current and future efforts are now directed towards this bold goal. But at present it is still unclear how the production builders are going to meet these goals. ConSol will use the latest building performance simulation software to develop models for each of California’s sixteen climate zones for three different house sizes; ConSol will then collaborate with the builders and standards developers to produce the most cost-effective ways to meet the formidable goal of zero cooling load (“zero cooling load” means no energy is required to cool the indoor air while maintaining indoor comfort). A second, more readily-achievable goal will be zero peak cooling demand (where no energy is required during peak hours to keep the indoor air cool).

ConSol joined Holland Barrs, a consortium of consultants and local governments, and the US Green Builder Council to create the Playbook for Green Buildings and Neighborhoods. This playbook provides local governments with tools and resources to rapidly advance green buildings, neighborhoods and infrastructure. Strategic actions in these sectors promote economic development, build healthier communities, strengthen energy independence, and support climate protection.

Working in conjunction with Navigant Consulting Inc. and Strategic Energy Innovations (SEI), ConSol produced the Green Affordable Housing Report. The report introduces green and energy efficient housing as means to make housing more affordable. The report highlights a cost analysis of energy efficiency features and suggests ways to gain the support of local jurisdictions for financial support.

ConSol has dedicated time and resources into the ongoing improvement of California’s Title-24 Energy Efficiency Standards for Residential and Nonresidential Buildings. Using its strength in energy analysis and building simulation, ConSol works with the industry and the California Energy Commission to implement the most cost-effective savings measures.