Our mission is to accelerate development and commercialization of efficient heating, cooling, and energy distribution solutions through innovation, R&D, stakeholder engagement, education and outreach.
What is the WCEC?
The Western Cooling Efficiency Center (WCEC) is an authoritative and objective research center at the UC Davis Energy and Efficiency Institute that accelerates the development and commercialization of efficient heating, cooling, and energy distribution solutions.
Our work is increasingly important as energy policies in the U.S. and California recognize the far-reaching implications of greenhouse gas emissions on our environment and changing climate.
Applied Research
Working closely with manufacturers, policymakers and utilities, WCEC tests new and existing HVAC technologies in our unique facilities. We also deploy real world demonstrations that provide objective technology evaluations of field performance. Our engineers recommend and implement performance improvements for the technologies tested.
Human Factors & Policy Research
We understand that even game changing technologies face considerable barriers to adoption that include policy, market and human interaction. WCEC works with policymakers, supporting codes and standards that will save energy and promote new, efficient technologies. We also work closely with our Utility partners, to evaluate technologies for market incentives, and in parallel, address human behavioral factors.
Staff Directory
Core Proficiencies
- Leaders in climate-appropriate cooling technologies
- In-house laboratory with environmental chamber capable of re-creating 95% of California’s hot/dry climates
- Leaders in automatic aerosol sealing technology for buildings
Extensive Knowledge In
- Building energy modeling
- Technology evaluation
- Cooling Hot/Dry climates
- Codes & Standards
- Human behavior in HVAC
- Thermal energy distribution
- HVAC system control
- Market Barriers
- Heat Transfer
- Ventilation and Indoor Air Quality
