Description:
The building industry needs to electrify buildings at a fast pace if cities and counties are to meet their carbon emissions goals. One of the obstacles commonly cited for keeping status quo gas systems in place is limited space in the electric panel serving the building. We will cover how electric panels are sized according to the electrical code and demonstrate tools to double-check those calculations. Options for making existing electric panels work will be covered, including circuit sharing devices, and innovative solutions for HVAC, clothes washing, hot water, cooking, EV charging, PV and battery systems. Often the existing electrical panel is adequate for a fully electric home, and we will equip attendees with the knowledge to evaluate this key decision for themselves

Learning Outcomes:

As a result of attending this class, participants will be able to:

• Learn why All-Electric homes are superior to typical mixed fuel homes in terms of cost, health, emissions, and quality of life and how California is encouraging electrification.
• Learn and apply tools to calculate electric panel size according to the electrical code
• Evaluate options for electrifying with limited electric panel space and service.
• Explore real-world case studies to better understand the challenges and solutions.

Target Audience:

• Architects
• Designers
• Building owners/managers
• Builders
• Contractors/subcontractors
• Home Energy Professionals

Prerequisite(s):

• N/A

Participants will benefit if they have some background on California’s Title 24 Building Energy Standards.

Learning Units:

• N/A

 Instructor Information: 

Nick Brown

Nick is an energy consultant and educator focused on building electrification, high-performance building, and energy modeling. He remodeled his own home to be Zero Net Energy in 2015 and recently added an All-electric Zero Net Carbon ADU above the garage in 2022. These two experiences serve as living laboratories for applying high-performance building principles and measuring their performance. He is a Certified Energy Analyst (CEA), CABEC Board Member, and teaches multiple classes for Energy Code Ace, SCE, PG&E, and others. He is assisting with development of the 2025 Title 24 energy code and is part of a California Energy Commission funded clean tech startup working to bring a Thermal Energy Storage System product to market to reduce peak loads of commercial HVAC units. Nick holds a BA in Economics from Princeton University and an MBA from University of Michigan.

Robert Fortunato

Robert is President of ForStrategy Consulting and Owner/Builder of the multiple award-winning Green Idea House, one of the first affordable, net zero energy, zero carbon case study houses made with standard construction materials and off the shelf technologies.

Robert is currently assisting developers in significantly reducing capital and operating expenses while scaling solutions that are better for our health, economy and the environment. He recently helped build a team that won the California Energy Commission’s $1 million EPIC grant to design and build one of the most efficient mixed-use, affordable, multifamily buildings in the country. 

Robert’s credentials include a degree from the Wharton School of Business and a diverse business background in corporations and entrepreneurial ventures. He has been adjunct faculty at an international innovation/social entrepreneurship school based in Denmark and coached startups and developed the built environment strategy at the LA Cleantech Incubator.

Learning Level:

Intermediate Class: Content is appropriate for individuals who possess a fundamental understanding of the topic and have familiarity with basic terminology and methodology of the subject matter. Attendees should have the capacity to participate in instructor-led exercises requiring synthesis and application of concepts.