Building Green
Building Green is one way private buildings, such as residential homes and businesses, can contribute to energy conservation. Green building is a design and construction practice that promotes reducing energy, water, and materials consumption, while also reducing building impacts on human health and the community. Effective green building can lead to reduced operating costs by increasing productivity and using less energy and water, improved public and occupant health due to improved indoor air quality, and reduced environmental impacts by, for example, lessening storm water runoff.
City adopts energy efficient fee waiver program to encourage conservation
The City of Huntington Beach adopted an Energy Efficient Permit Fee Waiver Program which began on November 5, 2007. This fee waiver program applies to Plumbing, Mechanical, Electrical, and Solar permits issued for systems that either produce energy or save natural resources. This program is for systems that substantially exceed the current State and Federal minimum standards. Examples include, but are not limited to:
- photovoltaic (solar) systems
- solar water heating systems
- tank less water heaters - Energy Factor 0.80
- high efficiency furnaces - AFUE greater than 90
- high efficiency air conditioners - SEER 14 or higher
These types of systems are further identified by various State and Federal Programs for rebates or tax credits.
For more information about the Energy Efficient Permit Fee Waiver Program, contact the City’s Building and Safety Department at (714) 536-5241
Click here for Green Building Tips.
Below you will find more links on Green Building.
Green Building Links:
Build It Green
www.builditgreen.org
California State Integrated Waste Management Green Building
www.ciwmb.ca.gov/GreenBuilding/
The Energy & Environmental Building Association (EEBA)™
www.eeba.org
Global Green – Green Building Resource Center
www.globalgreen.org/gbrc/index.htm
Green Building Alliance
www.gbapgh.org
US Green Building Council
www.usgbc.org/
Energy Efficiency
Private energy companies, the State of California, and the City of Huntington Beach offer great incentives, like fee waivers, to become more energy efficient.
Below you will find more links on existing rebate programs and how to make your home more energy efficient.
Residential Energy Programs Links:
California Energy Commission Consumer Energy Center
www.consumerenergycenter.org
California Public Utilities Commission:
- California Alternative Rates for Energy (CARE)
www.cpuc.ca.gov/PUC/energy/consumers/care.htm - California Self-Generation Incentive Program
www.cpuc.ca.gov/PUC/energy/051005_sgip.htm
- California Solar Initiative
www.cpuc.ca.gov/PUC/energy/Solar/
Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy
www.dsireusa.org
Energy Star Program
www.energystar.gov
The Home Energy Advisor
homeenergysaver.lbl.gov
Partnership for Home Energy Efficiency
www.energysavers.gov
Southern California Edison:
- Southern California Edison Power and Environment Page
www.sce.com/PowerandEnvironment
- Southern California Gas Company Energy Efficiency
www.socalgas.com/energyefficiency/
US Department of Energy:
- DOE's Energy Information Administration (EIA)
www.eia.doe.gov - DOE's National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL) www.nrel.gov/
FOR KIDS
Alliance to Save Energy: Kids site on improving home energy efficiency
www.energyhog.org
EERE Kids – Dr. E’s Energy Lab
http://www.eere.energy.gov/kids
Energy Information Administration Kid’s Page
www.eia.doe.gov/kids