September 2, 2010   Navigate our site Training Research Local Government Programs New Initiatives Mortgages Utility Programs State and Federal agencies Current Issues Press/Recognition Reports, Protocols, & Scopes of Work Who We Are Links Board Members Executive Staff :: research ::   home   The BII has, over the past five years, conducted a number of research projects in partnership with a wide variety of partners. Our partners have included the National Department of Energy (USDOE), the California Energy Commission (CEC), the California Institute for Energy Efficiency, (CIEE) the Natural Resources Defense Council, (NRDC), Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, (LBNL), California’s public and private utilities along with some of California’s largest homebuilders, members of the financing market, and the National Association of Home Builders. These collaborative efforts have resulted in quality projects, findings and tools that enable home builders to build to a new level of quality energy and resource efficient homes.  Many of these research efforts have resulted in builder protocols, resource guides and reports that are available separately in the Reports, Protocols and Scope of Work section of this web site.  Current Activities: Public Interest Energy Research (PIER)—Profitability, Quality, and Risk Reduction Through Energy Efficiency (2001- 2005) The CEC, through its PIER competitive solicitation, funded BII and its team of RAND Corporation, the NAHB Research Center, and ConSol to identify, for the first time, the ancillary benefits of energy efficient construction. The research team, in addition to those mentioned above, include 2/10 Home Buyers Warranty, The Meyers Group, Centex Homes, Shea Homes and the Brehm Companies. click here to visit the PIER website Prior Research Activities: Energy Efficient Mortgages: Residential Energy Services State Pilot Program (1996-2000) This project had several participants: BII, CEC, USDOE, Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae, several large residential builders, the California Energy Efficiency Home Rating System (CHEERS), and four additional states; Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado and Vermont. The program was created and funded by the USDOE, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Division, with reporting support provided by National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). The project was a collaborative effort to 1) ascertain the need for and availability of new home financing programs that encourage greater residential energy efficiency, and 2) develop a system that rates the energy efficiency of the home to qualify for a more attractive mortgage. The project assisted in the development of infrastructure for a quality home energy rating system that was subsequently adopted by the California Energy Commission, but fell short in it's goal to persuade Freddie and Fannie to create a more attractive mortgage instrument available for energy efficient homes. The Home Energy Rating System (HERS) Technical Manual and HERS Provider Manual are available in the Reports, Protocols and Scope of Work section of this web site. Energy Efficient Building Protocols: The BII, working with the NRDC, the CEC, LBNL, ConSol and representatives of utilities, created the following protocols for the use and benefit of our builders and their contractors: The protocols in their entirety are available in the Reports, Protocols and Scope of Work Section of this website. The Protocols/Statements of Work include: HVAC Insulation Air Sealing Window Installation Sliding Doors PhotovoltaicsWaste Reduction/Recycling Builder’s Resource Guide for Energy Efficiency (1999) The Builder Resource Guide for Energy Efficiency was supported by California's four Investor Owned Utilities: PG&E, SCE, SCG, and SDG&E. The Guide was researched and prepared by ConSol on behalf of BII as a service to its members. The Resource Guide brings together a variety of energy related topics in one convenient place for the residential new construction builder. The guide has enjoyed substantial popularity among builders and building departments. The Resource Guide is currently being revised and updated. It will be available in its entirety at a later date on this website. The Resource Guide sections include: Title 24 California Energy Efficiency Codes Emerging Technologies in Home Construction Green Builder Programs Energy Efficient Mortgages California Home Energy Efficiency Rating System Energy Star Program Quality HVAC Design Windows Insulation & Infiltration Framing, Lighting Utility Programs Fire Fatalities in Residential Dwellings This study performed an exhaustive, 18-month review of every residential fire fatality that occurred in California during the six-year period from January of 1986 to the end of December of 1991. Specific information was gathered on the cause of the fire, the point of origin, and most importantly, the age of the dwelling where the fire occurred. This data was compiled into a 4-page summary, which has since been referenced at code-change proceedings in all 50 states and in seven foreign countries. This data was used at the national level as the primary supporting evidence for increasing the number of hard-wired smoke detectors required in new residential dwellings.