News

Refrigerant demonstration unit for R-466A at Western Cooling Efficiency Center.
Refrigerants used in vapor-compression air conditioners and heat pumps have been the subject of environmental regulations requiring the need to develop alternative solutions with lower global warming potential (GWP). In general, there is a trade-off when choosing alternative refrigerants between safety, performance, and GWP.
Air purifiers designed by students improve indoor air quality during wildfires and pandemics.
Schools are facing many challenges this fall, including minimizing risks to students and staff from Covid-19 and wildfire smoke exposure. Air purifiers are one tool that can help. Researchers from the UC Davis Energy and Efficiency Institute (EEI) partnered with science teachers at Rio Tierra Junior High School in Sacramento to teach a two-day lesson on air quality and build 30 portable air cleaners with approximately 150 8th grade students.
Woman working on energy efficiency research at Western Cooling Efficiency Center.
NBC Bay Area
As employees and students prepare for their return to offices and classrooms, an NBC Bay Area investigation reveals a surprising lack of oversight regarding indoor air quality, which may have led to more COVID-19 infections and deaths.  Experts argue the problem existed well before the pandemic and continues to threaten workplaces and schools across the country.
The importance of filtration in schools
Filtration works together with ventilation to improve indoor air quality. Filtration can capture and reduce exposure to some indoor and outdoor pollutants. In this video…
Cover of Renewable Energy journal focusing on solar water heating and energy efficiency.
Renewable Energy
Solar water heating provides domestic hot water with lower greenhouse gas emissions compared to more typical natural-gas water heating. Solar water heating has a long history, particularly in places where the climate is favorable, such as California where state-backed incentive programs have been successful in creating small bursts of adoption.