Ever wonder how new energy-saving technologies go from expensive and unproven to the industry standard? In this edition of Technology Tuesdays, we break down the role EE programs play in that journey — reducing risk for early adopters, driving down costs through incentives, and ultimately paving the way for technologies to become mainstream (and even codified into standards like Title 24).

That’s where the Brewery Energy Efficiency and Revitalization (BEER) Program comes in. Born from California’s Innovative Design for Energy Efficiency Applications (IDEEA 365) platform, BEER makes a compelling case for applying energy efficiency strategies on a craft-specific level. It’s not a generic rebate program with a beer label slapped on—it’s a targeted, thoughtfully engineered solution for a historically underserved market. And it’s delivering real results.

As part of a sustainability campaign launched by Mayor Jerry Dyer, the City of Fresno recently completed one of its most ambitious energy efficiency initiatives to date—touching parks, public safety facilities, water treatment plants, and everything in between. The mission was simple (and refreshingly practical): cut energy use, lower long-term costs, and reduce carbon emissions—without disrupting the services residents rely on every day.

As more households consider their cooking fuel choices and the environmental impact of their kitchens, clean cooking has never been more relevant. Whether you're curious about making the switch to induction, exploring multi-functional appliances, or simply looking for budget-friendly ways to improve your kitchen's efficiency, this series has something for everyone.

As a practitioner of energy efficiency (EE), I often take it for granted that everyday folks understand not only the importance of EE programs but also the role they play in advancing technologies. Did YOU know that EE programs drive technological innovation? One could argue that one of the primary purposes of EE programs is to advance EE technology. To understand this, let’s talk about EE programs and what they aim to accomplish.

Recent discussions about water heating technologies—particularly heat pumps and tankless systems—have left many partners feeling there's limited performance information available for different applications. To address these concerns and support decision-making, we're providing insights and resources to clarify the differences and benefits of each technology!

As energy-efficient technologies evolve—like heat pumps, induction cooking, and hydrogen-fueled equipment—so does the need for a skilled workforce to support them. One of the biggest challenges? A growing gap between innovation and the availability of trained professionals to install and maintain these systems. The good news: Solutions are emerging. From workforce development programs to industry partnerships, we’re seeing real momentum in bridging this gap.

When we think of industrial customers, a specific picture comes to mind. This picture often includes heavy machinery and manufacturing-type facilities. However, the industrial category encompasses a wide range of activities, including agriculture, food processing, commercial laundry, and water processing. Incentives for industrial customers also depend on your utility provider.

Since industrial customers tend to be among the larger utility customers, they are uniquely positioned to realize significant energy savings, often with relatively minor adjustments.

Heat pump technology applies to both space and water heating and is a huge step in our transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy. I would like to take this opportunity to pivot away from theoretical discussions about heat pump technology and share my experience owning one.

We are all about solar plus storage. I know that most people are aware of solar energy, but I thought I would take a quick moment to zero in on the storage part and explain why new solar projects need it to be financially viable.

Now, as you read this, you may be thinking, “What is a “DER” and why is it important to me?” Chances are, you encounter them almost every day, but you may not think of them as “DERs.” Distributed Energy Resources refer to systems that produce energy at or near the where it is being utilized. These systems are often renewable.

I am sure you know California’s push toward 100% renewable energy.  A BIG part of this initiative is building electrification.  Building electrification means, converting from using natural gas appliances to appliances that use electricity.  There are many cost-effective ways to do this. 

As I am sure you are aware, your HVAC system is one of the biggest energy users in your building. In fact, HVAC is often responsible for 20-30% of the energy usage in a building. This is especially true in the Central Valley.

Wish that you could somehow shift most of your cooling energy load to off-peak hours?Time-of-use rate changes are here and the hottest part of the day (4 pm – 6 pm) will become the most expensive time to use your air conditioner. It may be time to consider an ice storage air conditioner.

We are in the full swing of summer! As such, I thought it would be fun to talk about HEAT! Specifically, I am referring to thermal storage. This is, by no means, a new technology. In fact, the concept has been around for some time!

Christmas is just around the corner and while we are busy putting up decorations, planning parties and shopping for loved ones, it is good to remember that there are many ways that we can save energy (and money) during the holidays.

Today we are wrapping up our 5-part series on energy efficient appliances and cooking for the Holidays. Although Thanksgiving is still very close in our rearview mirrors, many of us are gearing up for Christmas which can be even more eventful for our kitchens, as well as our pocketbooks.

You may be thinking, I already have a microwave to reheat food and an oven to bake and to keep things warm. Why would I also need a warming drawer? There are a few reasons a warming drawer may be a favorable option.

We touched on convection ovens very briefly in last week’s article when we discussed 5-in-1 ovens. A 5-in-1 oven is special because it has many different capabilities. Specifically, they are a convection oven, a toaster oven, a warming/proofing oven, a precision cooking oven, and a microwave.

We are all done with the ghosts, ghouls, and goblins of Halloween, and we are looking forward to Thanksgiving and Christmas. November 1st is the unofficial start of the holiday season. This is, by far, my favorite time of the year. However, while we are all gearing up for yet another wonderful holiday season and its traditions, it is important to understand and seek out new and more efficient ways of doing the things that we love, even if they are traditional.