kW Engineering | Sustainable Buildings & Energy Efficiency Consulting

Jim Kelsey

Low-GWP Refrigerant Impact on Supermarket Energy Use

To meet California’s energy efficiency and greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction goals, the current trends, modeling tools and challenges of adopting low global warming potential (low-GWP) refrigerants in the supermarket/grocery sector must be understood. We investigated the impact of phasing out the hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) refrigerants in a recent study of the commercial refrigeration market to characterize […]

Low-GWP Refrigerant Impact on Supermarket Energy Use Read More »

Simplified energy modeling for fast and easy savings calculations

Energy modeling is a daunting, but valuable task, and often deemed cost-prohibitive for many building energy savings analysis. For cases where energy modeling can provide valuable insights but traditional methods are not feasible, we developed a web-based modeling tool that provides an online interface which harnesses the power of OpenStudio® and EnergyPlus™. Named Kōritsu, this

Simplified energy modeling for fast and easy savings calculations Read More »

Your Guide to Level 1, 2 & 3 Commercial Energy Audits: Differences Between Cost & Content

What IS the difference is between a Level 1, 2 or 3 ASHRAE energy audit? Which one should I do? How much will it cost? As someone who helped write the book on energy audits and the standard that defines the scope of each, I’d like to help demystify these concepts. In this post you’ll

Your Guide to Level 1, 2 & 3 Commercial Energy Audits: Differences Between Cost & Content Read More »

Can we get energy efficiency incentives for refrigerant retrofits?

Special thanks to Danielle Wright from NASRC for her contributions to this post. There’s a policy disconnect between accounting for energy efficiency and greenhouse (GHG) reduction through utility incentive programs that requires resolution for us to achieve sustainability goals. The supermarket industry has long recognized that refrigerants are powerful greenhouse gases and that reducing their

Can we get energy efficiency incentives for refrigerant retrofits? Read More »

COVID-19 Stimulus Comes with HFC Phase-Out and More

You could say that one thing we’ve gotten used to in 2020 is being surprised. And when it comes come climate change legislation, the end of 2020 was no different. In the last days of the 2020 federal legislative cycle, the giant Covid-19 “Omnibus” Spending Bill also included important provisions from the previously-stalled American Innovation

COVID-19 Stimulus Comes with HFC Phase-Out and More Read More »

Will You Reduce Your Carbon Footprint in 2020? 3 Ways I’m Taking Action

For my 2020 resolution I’m making a pledge to take action and reduce my carbon footprint, and I hope that you’ll join me. I’m making a real, concerted effort this year to reduce my carbon footprint as low as I can get it. That means doubling down on making real life changes, not sitting on

Will You Reduce Your Carbon Footprint in 2020? 3 Ways I’m Taking Action Read More »

Why Early Building Design Feedback is Critical to Efficient Building Operation

Unfortunately, in the world of building design, feedback is often lacking. Most architects and engineers work on new buildings, and once commissioning is done, there’s little opportunity (or budget) to review the impact of design choices, positive or negative. Without a feedback loop from commissioning teams, buildings may be doomed to inefficient and troublesome operation

Why Early Building Design Feedback is Critical to Efficient Building Operation Read More »

Geeking Out with My Sense Home Energy Monitor: Review

I love my new Sense home energy monitor and I’ve only just begun using it. If you’re an energy geek too, I imagine you’ll enjoy monitoring your whole-house energy consumption as much as I do. Why do I like my new Sense Home Energy Monitor? It’s much more interesting than I thought to see a

Geeking Out with My Sense Home Energy Monitor: Review Read More »

Why is energy savings contribution instead of attribution important for NMEC programs?

While California has often been at the top of the nation’s leaders in energy efficiency, its recently stalled in its progress to regain the number one status. I believe that, until we solve our current issues with energy savings attribution for energy efficiency programs following normalized metered energy consumption (aka NMEC) procedures, we’re doomed to

Why is energy savings contribution instead of attribution important for NMEC programs? Read More »

What’s a Strategic Energy Assessment? Is it better than an Energy Audit?

San Francisco was one of the first cities in the U.S. to require mandatory, periodic energy audits for existing building stock. While those of us who perform energy audits, initially saw the requirements as a good opportunity, for a number of reasons mandatory audits have not been especially good for our industry, nor have they

What’s a Strategic Energy Assessment? Is it better than an Energy Audit? Read More »