After years of retrofitting and building homes in the Bay Area, Scott O’Hara, EPB’s co-founder, is putting it all together with a great build. Using advanced design and installation of Home Performance this home is ready to buy and make Zero Net Energy (which makes it zero net energy ready). The new ZNER (Zero Net […]
Should I Replace My Furnace?
December 22, 2015 by 1 Comment
My electricity bill is too high. My heater is too noisy, and wakes me up at night. Some rooms are too hot and others are cold. The air feels stuffy or musty. My heater has stopped working entirely. Please read the following before replacing your furnace. The long-term effects of making the right (or wrong) […]
Hydronic Forced Air Heating Advantages
December 12, 2015 by 2 Comments
Hydronics refers to the use of a liquid as a medium of heat transfer in heating or cooling systems. Specifically, a Combined Hydronic Air Handler, often described as a “hot water furnace,” uses hot water to heat a home. How does a Combined Hydronic Air Handler system work? It uses two appliances in conjunction: […]
SB-350: Building the Future of Energy Efficiency in California
November 20, 2015 by Leave a Comment
In September 2015, California legislature passed SB-350: the Clean Energy and Pollution Reduction Act, also referred to as the 50/50/50 plan. There are two main goals for this plan (originally there were three, until the oil companies got involved). Objective 1: (quoting directly from the bill) To increase from 33 percent to 50 percent, the procurement […]
Zero Net Energy Ready New Home in Martinez
November 17, 2015 by Leave a Comment
After years of retrofitting and building homes in the Bay Area, Scott O’Hara, EPB’s co-founder, is putting it all together with a great build. Using advanced design and installation of Home Performance this home is ready to buy and make Zero Net Energy (which makes it zero net energy ready). The new ZNER […]
Soundproofing and Insulation
October 31, 2015 by Leave a Comment
Completely soundproofing an existing home is fairly difficult and costly on its own. There are a lot of “tips and tricks” out there, but the fact is, the only way to fully soundproof a home is by tearing into your walls and/or ceiling. The upside is, if you’re thinking of redoing your insulation or […]
Insulation Materials: the Good and the Terrible
October 9, 2015 by 5 Comments
Sometimes, you get what you pay for. But most of the time, it pays to do a little research first. Today we want to give an example of the importance of making educated purchases. There are a variety of insulation materials to choose from, and most have their strengths and weaknesses. However, one stands out […]
Energy Upgrade Financing in the CA Bay Area
August 6, 2015 by Leave a Comment
In the California bay area, energy and water efficiency are more important, and more available, than ever before. The CaliforniaFirst PACE financing program now covers nearly all cities in the bay area (Concord was recently added to the list). Eco Performance Builders is an approved contractor for this program. We’ve used this program already with […]
Air Conditioner: Repair or Replace?
June 18, 2015 by 5 Comments
If there’s nothing wrong with your air conditioner, but your electricity bill seems too high during those hot months, you may want to schedule an energy audit. During this process, we will thoroughly evaluate the energy efficiency of your house, and recommend the most cost-effective combination of upgrades. If you’re deciding whether to repair or […]
Top 5 Water Saving Upgrades and Fixes
June 2, 2015 by Leave a Comment
1. On-Demand Water Circulation: A must-have for water conservation Demand Recirculation Systems are a great way to save water and energy, especially if you have remotely placed water fixtures. They are easy to install and can fit into nearly any plumbing setup. 2. Greywater Systems: Consider during new builds, or when remodeling a bathroom “Greywater” […]
Demand Recirculation: How to Conserve Water at Home
May 17, 2015 by Leave a Comment
Conventional plumbing systems waste water. You turn on the faucet and wait until the water gets hot. During that time, cold water is being wasted and dumped down the drain. Needless to say, wasting water is bad, especially right now in California. If you’re unaware of the severity of the drought, here’s an article every Californian should read. […]
2014 Contractor of the Year – Energy Upgrade California!
March 17, 2015 by Leave a Comment
Our second Contractor of the Year Award for 2014 is the prestigious Energy Upgrade California (EUC) “Contractor of the Year” award. We are sincerely honored to receive this award. There are over 250 contractors in the EUC program; to be recognized as the best is AWESOME!. We are grateful to be given the opportunity to […]
Building and Duct Leakage Tests
March 17, 2015 by Leave a Comment
Testing for air leakage: The first step in any energy retrofit job Air sealing (reducing the leakage of the home) is the #1 way to conserve energy in a home. Air sealing work should be prioritized and air sealing progress should be monitored. However, you can’t completely seal up a home without also supplying controlled […]
ZNE Home With Guaranteed $0 Energy Bills — Built and Sold by EPB
March 11, 2015 by 1 Comment
We have completed and sold our ZNE (Zero Net Energy) build in the Montclair Hills. We are very excited about this build because it is the culmination of everything we have learned from decades of building and retrofitting homes. We have put our heart and soul into it and made it the best performing, […]
When are Mini-Split Systems the Right Choice?
February 4, 2015 by 1 Comment
How It Works Mini-Split systems use heat pump technology. Basically, heat pumps combine an evaporator and a condenser, using puron refrigerant and phase change to provide heating and cooling. They are essentially a high efficiency air conditioner that can also run in reverse to heat the home. The condenser is usually located outdoors. It distributes […]
