The Levy Partnership

Since its founding in 1983, The Levy Partnership has been a pioneer in the area of building research and technology, working with U.S. and foreign-based firms and both public and private organizations. We provide design, research, project management, technical support and other mission-specific services to companies involved in home building, commercial construction, property management, material and systems development and market development. From the start, The Levy Partnership provided a wide spectrum of services to clients including Federal and State agencies, homebuilders, other building professionals, commercial developers, utilities and other power suppliers, research groups and non-profit agencies. Some services provided include the following:

• Building Science Research
• ENERGY STAR New Homes
• LEED for Homes
• Passive House design and consulting
• Home Energy Ratings
• PHIUS+ Ratings
• New York City Local Law 87 compliance
• NYSERDA and ConEd Multifamily incentive programs
• New Jersey P4P

Alliances & Affiliations

The Levy Partnership is currently working on a number of major national, state and industry programs with our partners:

•  U.S. Department of Energy, Building America Program
•  Partnership for Advancing Technologies in Housing (PATH)
•  U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ENERGY STAR
•  Manufactured Housing Institute (MHI)
•  New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA)

U.S. Department of Energy, Building America

Building America is the U.S. Department of Energy’s flagship building research program. Building America works with a select group of nationally recognized building science teams, with the aim of accelerating development and adoption of advanced building energy technologies and practices in new and existing homes. The ARIES Collaborative, headed by The Levy Partnership, is one of the teams. ARIES coordinates a multi-million dollar research program covering a broad range of building-technology related fields.
ARIES focuses on innovative and cost-effective approaches for dramatically reducing energy use in the nation’s affordable housing, both existing and new. Affordable housing accounts for two of every five American households. Modestly priced housing presents a unique set of challenges, opportunities and financial issues that are shaping ARIES’ approach to building research and technology solutions.

In addition to The Levy Partnership, the broad based ARIES team consists of more than 50 organizations with a long history working in the affordable housing arena, including:

The U.S. Department of Energy has named the ARIES Collaborative, headed by The Levy Partnership, a 2014 DOE Top Innovator for its outstanding research and development in advanced building energy technologies.

PATH

The Partnership for Advancing Technology in Housing (PATH) is a public-private partnership established to accelerate the development and use of technologies that radically improve the quality, durability, energy efficiency, environmental performance, and affordability of America’s housing.

PATH is a voluntary partnership bringing together leaders of the homebuilding, product manufacturing, insurance, and financial industries, and representatives of Federal agencies concerned with housing. PATH partners are working together to improve new and existing homes and strengthen the technology infrastructure of the United States.

The Levy Partnership, working through the Systems Building Research Alliance (SBRA), has participated in several important PATH research initiatives, including:

•  Lean Building
•  Model Manufacturer’s Installation Manual
•  The Foundation Guide

The Levy Partnership was a principal author of the Factory Built Housing PATH Roadmap, outlining research activities that provide a strategy for accomplishing important industry goals.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)—ENERGY STAR^®

U.S. EPA’s mission is to protect human health and to safeguard the natural environment. In pursuing this mission, the Agency originates and operates programs that influence the built environment, including the ENERGY STAR^® New Homes Program. Over the last two decades, ENERGY STAR has grown into one of the most recognized brands in the nation, with ENERGY STAR products and homes the benchmark for exemplary energy performance.

The Levy Partnership has played a pivotal role in the success of ENERGY STAR. Our staff, working through the Systems Building Research Alliance (SBRA), was responsible for coordinating the development of ENERGY STAR compliance protocols for all factory built homes and managing a national network of third-party quality assurance agents that monitor compliance. The Levy Partnership’s efforts on behalf of SBRA have resulted in the construction of over 26,000 ENERGY STAR homes across the nation.

New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA)

Primarily funded by state rate payers, New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) is a public benefit corporation created in 1975. The Authority helps New York meet its energy goals by reducing energy consumption, promoting the use of renewable energy sources, and protecting the environment. NYSERDA is particularly active in sponsoring buildings-related research and development.

The Levy Partnership has supported NYSERDA’s efforts by conducting a variety of research projects. Recent work includes:

•  High Performance Development Challenge—demonstrating high performance building
•  Low cost solutions for deep retrofit in residential construction
•  Lean production applied to the factory home building industry
•  Peak electrical demand reduction through coordinated control of air conditioners
•  Building Passive Homes in New York State
•  Improving efficiency in central hot water systems in multifamily buildings

Manufactured Housing Institute (MHI)

MHI is the national trade organization representing all segments of the factory-built housing industry. MHI serves its membership by providing industry research, promotion, education and government relations programs, and by facilitating consensus within the industry. The Levy Partnership has worked closely with MHI for over three decades, providing timely advice and guidance on a range of building technology and codes and standards issues. MHI played a central role in the founding of the Systems Building Research Alliance, the factory built housing industry’s research arm, an organization that The Levy Partnership has administered since its inception in 1995.

Contract Vehicles

The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) facilitates Federal agencies to contract with pre-approved contractors and benefit from “most-favored customer” pricing under GSA Schedules. The Levy Partnership’s services are available to Federal agencies through the following GSA contract schedules:

•  03FAC Facilities Maintenance and Management
Special Item Number 871-202: Energy Management and Planning Strategies

•  871 Professional Engineering Services
Special Item Number 871-7: Construction Management

For further information on contracting The Levy Partnership’s services, please contact Gwynne Koch at 212-496-0800 (ext. 120) or by email: gkoch@levypartnership.com.

Find us on GSA Advantage!

For further information on TLP’s GSA contracts, visit GSA e-Library.

Careers

The Levy Partnership seeks enthusiastic, detail-oriented and organized professionals who can deliver on the company’s commitment to professional excellence. Our work provides excellent opportunities for responsibility and growth. We offer a highly competitive salary, company-paid benefits, a retirement plan, a semi-casual work environment, and the opportunity to be part of a successful and growing company.

Benefits

The Levy Partnership offers a competitive benefits package, including:

The Levy Partnership, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer.

TO APPLY

For consideration, submit your resume and a brief cover letter describing your experience with residential energy efficiency to Archjobs@LevyPartnership.com. No third party inquiries.

Open Positions

1.) Sustainability Team Lead

The Levy Partnership, Inc., a leading energy and environmental consulting firm, is seeking a talented and energetic individual with a background in Engineering, Architecture or related field to lead our Building Sustainability team. The candidate would work on projects that promote energy efficiency, conservation, green building and sustainability and provide energy efficiency consulting services to building owners and developers. The Levy Partnership leads one of five national Building America research teams developing and evaluating cutting‐edge building technologies (http://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/building_america/research_teams.html).

Responsibilities:

We are looking for a candidate with two to five years of experience and most of the skills and qualifications listed below:

Compensation consists of salary, an excellent benefits package that includes 100% employer-paid premiums on health care, and a retirement program. If you thrive on a full schedule, enjoy new challenges, seek innovative solutions and appreciate working with a talented team of professionals, please contact us.

2.) Multifamily Energy Specialist/HERS Rater

Posted August 2016

The Levy Partnership, Inc., a leading energy and building science consulting firm, is seeking a talented and energetic individual with a background in Engineering, Architecture or related field to work on projects that promote energy efficiency, conservation, green building and sustainability and provide energy efficiency consulting services to building owners and developers. The Levy Partnership is a dynamic and innovative workplace and leads one of the national Building America research teams developing and evaluating cutting-edge building technologies (http://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/building_america/research_teams.html).

Our energy services team currently has an opening for a Multifamily Energy Specialist/HERS Rater. This role involves working closely with our team members to help clients build better performing, more comfortable and energy efficient buildings. It includes reviewing building plans, inspecting, testing and evaluating energy efficiency features, primarily in new construction low- to mid-rise multifamily buildings and the occasional single family home. We also have an active Passive House practice and the role would include work on those super-efficient cutting edge projects. Your time would be divided between our office in Manhattan just blocks from Columbus Circle near Central Park, and work in the field, primarily in suburban areas around the City.

The successful candidate would assist our clients by providing technical field rating services for their buildings. On a day-to-day basis, this involves field inspections, pressurization and other testing, and interactions with builders, architects and engineers. He or she would become our in-house expert on energy efficiency programs. The position also requires the use of energy modeling software.

Responsibilities:

Requirements include an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in engineering, construction management, architecture or other related field and a valid driver’s license. The ideal candidate will have a hands-on understanding of building science, mechanical systems and energy efficiency requirements and proficiency with MS Office software including Word and Excel. At least one year of technical rating experience, as well as HERS Rater or HERS Rating Field Inspector certification, is highly desirable. Other requirements include the ability to:

Salary is commensurate with experience. Training will be provided as needed.

3.) Building Energy Analyst/Modeler

Posted August 2016

The Levy Partnership, Inc. (www.LevyPartnership.com), a leading energy and environmental consulting firm, is seeking a talented and energetic Building Energy Analyst/Modeler to work with our team of committed professionals on projects that promote energy efficiency, conservation, green building and sustainability. TLP leads one of the national Building America research teams developing and evaluating cutting-edge building technologies (http://energy.gov/eere/buildings/building-america-research-teams).

Responsibilities:

Required Skills:

We are looking for a candidate possessing a range of skills including:

TO APPLY

If you thrive on a full schedule, enjoy new challenges, seek innovative solutions and appreciate working with a talented team of professionals, respond with your resume including the following:

Building Systems

Since its inception in 1983, The Levy Partnership has been conducting pioneering building product/system research for domestic and foreign-based public organizations and private firms. Our cornerstone services include:

Some of our current and recent building systems research projects include the following:

Advanced Envelope Design for Factory Building

This research project seeks to improve the energy performance of new factory built homes — about 12% to 14% of the nation’s total annual housing sales. The largest segment of the factory building industry, manufactured homes, historically has had to meet energy standards less stringent than current IECC-based codes. As a consequence, the industry has evolved few cost-effective options for reaching ambitious energy efficiency targets, such as the Building America goals.

The Advanced Envelope Design for Factory Building project, directed by The Levy Partnership, is filling this void by creating and demonstrating new design and building practices that are cost effective, practical for factory settings, and will result in substantial reductions in energy use. The research is yielding new practices for energy-saving building envelope components and initiating the process of moving these practices into commercial use. Leading companies in the factory homebuilding space and major insulation manufacturers are research partners. Research funding is provided by the U.S. Department of Energy.

Evaluation of Rain Screen Products and Methods

Seeking to better understand how rain screens can be used effectively as a cladding solution for multi-story buildings,
a leading construction company tasked The Levy Partnership with critically comparing and assessing a broadly representative group of rain screen products. The survey included rain screen products produced in the U.S., Europe and Asia, but all were available in the U.S.
The comparative analysis covered:

Deep Energy Retrofit

We consider a deep energy retrofit as a remodel that cuts energy use by at least 50%. Making significant energy use reductions can have other benefits, such as allowing space conditioning equipment to be downsized or eliminated. However, the cost of achieving sizable reductions in space heating and cooling energy use can be quite high.

This project addresses a vital condition for growing the market for deep energy retrofits: delivering superior performance at a reasonable cost. Working with a national supplier of cladding systems to achieve this goal, The Levy Partnership is demonstrating a comprehensive solution built around two concepts that are cornerstones of an affordable, high-performance approach to a deep energy retrofit:

1.Using an exterior applied insulation product that is suitable for a variety of existing claddings with minimal demolition and disruption

2.Off-site fabrication of a composite, high R-value panel that dramatically reduces the costs of installation at the site. Research funding is provided by the U.S. Department of Energy and NYSERDA.

Sto Corp. provides comprehensive details intended to illustrate many common conditions that might be encountered by the Design Professional, General Contractor, Applicator, and other building professionals in their efforts to design a given project and to incorporate dissimilar systems and materials one with another. These details and specifications are the property of Sto Corp. and cannot be copied or used for any unauthorized use other than for the assistance of the project design team in the selection and specification of Sto Systems. Requests for unconventional uses may be submitted in writing to Sto Corp. for further consideration.

Improving Air Distribution System Performance in Factory Built Homes

Virtually all manufactured homes are designed to use forced air distribution systems (ADS) to circulate heated and cooled air. Earlier studies revealed that improving ADS performance would be the single most important strategy for reducing energy use and many moisture problems in factory built housing.

The Levy Partnership collaborated with manufacturers to evaluate duct leakage and other air distribution shortcomings in these homes, devise solutions that leveraged the manufacturers’ resources and capabilities, and provide manufacturers with an affordable ongoing quality control process for ADS integrity.

Our team visited sixteen manufactured home plants to demonstrate techniques for building tighter duct systems. We also conducted plant staff and inspector training and supervised as the techniques were adopted into routine building practice.
The effort was highly successful: more than 90% of all home manufacturing facilities eventually adopted the techniques demonstrated by The Levy Partnership. Research funding was provided by the U.S. Department of Energy.

Evaluation of Duct Sealing Strategies in Affordable Housing

Leaky ductwork is a well-known problem in older buildings, leading to energy waste, poor indoor air quality, comfort complaints and sub-par heating and cooling performance. Repairing ducts is difficult, particularly in multi-family buildings with inaccessible ducts. The Levy Partnership is currently leading a research project to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of various duct-sealing strategies suitable for low-rise multi-family housing, including the use of new and innovative methods of reducing duct air leakage. Research funding is provided by the U.S. Department of Energy.

Hydronic Heating Retrofits for Multi-family Buildings

A large share of the nation’s multi-family buildings is equipped with space heating that uses hot water or steam for distribution. These systems are often difficult to control and the result is wasted energy use.
One major negative factor: outmoded, inefficient boiler control strategies that restrict the ability to regulate the amount of heat provided at the point of use. The Levy Partnership is leading a research project that will independently evaluate and quantify the effects of a variety of boiler control strategies in multi-family buildings. Strategies to be evaluated include:

Research funding is provided by the U.S. Department of Energy.

Lean Construction

The building process itself is a critical, but often overlooked, contributor to construction quality, cost and performance. The Levy Partnership is a leader in developing and promoting ways that companies involved in construction can improve their building processes, applying methods that increase productivity, sales and customer satisfaction. Recent work in this areas includes:

Lean Production in the Construction Industry

Lean production is an approach to improving manufacturing efficiency. The goal of lean production is to satisfy the customer by delivering the highest quality at the lowest cost in the shortest time, while using resources efficiently. This is accomplished by continuously eliminating waste in all forms: defects, overproduction, transportation, waiting, inventory, motion and processing. Originating with the Toyota Production System, lean production is the result of decades of development by automobile manufacturers, who have reduced average labor hours per vehicle by more than half with one-third the defects. Other industries have followed the automobile industry’s lead, achieving similar results.

Lean production encourages the mapping of material and information flow within a process to identify the value-added and non-value-added steps. After identifying the non-value-added steps, which are considered waste in the parlance of lean production, management can then focus efforts on eliminating the waste and improving safety, quality and productivity — while still reducing cost.

The Levy Partnership, working under the aegis of the Systems Building Research Alliance, conducted a multi-year program to introduce lean production to the factory building industry. Our team trained staff from nine housing factories, coaching them through the process of introducing lean production into their operations. We then assessed the impact. Results clearly showed that lean production offers great opportunities for housing manufacturers to improve operations and enhance the customer experience. Research funding was provided, in part, by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Industry Benchmarking

In this first-of-its kind study, The Levy Partnership benchmarked production performance of more than 140 home building factories, providing detailed analysis on a wide variety of productivity metrics. The project was a model of cooperation given the highly competitive nature of the industry. Each plant was provided with a customized report comparing their operations to their competitors based both on market segment and geographical area. The work was funded collectively by industry with support from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s PATH program and conducted on behalf of the Systems Building Research Alliance.

Building Science

The Levy Partnership has pioneered scientific work on a range of building science issues, particularly:

On these topics and many others, we have partnered with public and private organizations to advance the state of scientific knowledge about buildings.

Support for The Levy Partnership’s research comes from agencies and industry sources including the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s PATH program, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Department of Energy, the New York State Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), and the California Energy Commission.

Examples of recent building science studies:

Moisture Studies of Homes in Hot, Humid Climates – Causes and Cures

Avoiding moisture-related problems—such as material degradation and staining—is a challenge in all types of structures, but particularly those located in the hot, humid Gulf Coast region of the U.S. The Levy Partnership undertook a multi-phase research program to better understand the underlying causes of moisture-related problems in manufactured homes and to develop effective abatement strategies.

As a first step in developing comprehensive guidelines for manufacturers and builders to avoid moisture problems in these homes, our building scientists conducted a survey of moisture problems in dozens of homes throughout the South. That effort enabled a characterization of the moisture-related problems and underlying causes, including site conditions and construction characteristics. Subsequently, a series of tests on homes was conducted profiling airflows under varying conditions and replicating conditions that could lead to moisture problems. These investigations led to the development of best practice guidelines for homebuilders building in the Gulf Coast region. This research was conducted for the Systems Building Research Alliance with funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Indoor Air Pollutants / Formaldehyde Concentrations and Abatement Options

In 1985, reacting to evidence suggesting that factory built homes have elevated levels of airborne formaldehyde , the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) established standards intended to limit formaldehyde levels in new manufactured homes. Twenty years later, The Levy Partnership revisited the issue, surveying recent work and examining the impact of changes in home construction and building practices on formaldehyde concentrations in new homes.

We found that, compared with homes constructed 20 years ago, the evidence suggests that new homes have dramatically lowered levels of airborne formaldehyde. Our team identified a confluence of major factors accounting for the reduction including:

Advances in understanding the health consequences of indoor air pollutants helped shape the study recommendations. This work was conducted with support from the Manufactured Housing Institute.

Innovative Housing for Disaster Relief

In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and early attempts to provide basic shelter for families who lost their homes, Congress authorized funds to explore more innovative and robust housing solutions for disaster relief. Known as the Alternative Housing Pilot Program (AHPP), the program gave the Federal government the opportunity to explore, implement and evaluate new approaches to building non-temporary housing.

Working through the Systems Building Research Alliance, and in partnership with the National Association of Home Builders Research Center, The Levy Partnership was selected to evaluate the designs, conducting in-depth and informed assessments of the AHPP homes in four Gulf Coast states hard hit by Katrina. Our team performed detailed assessments of key housing attributes that were of primary importance in measuring the value of these innovative housing solutions. The team provided a detailed and frank accounting of the AHPP program designs—successes and flaws – making what we hope will prove to be a meaningful contribution to the welfare of future families displaced by natural disasters.

Funding for the AHPP was provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Certification

Independent, third-party certification programs has become an essential part of building design and construction process. Considerable expertise is required to understand and implement these programs, as well as recognizing and taking advantage of the opportunities they offer. The Levy Partnership is closely involved with the major certification and standards programs, including:

HERS Ratings and ENERGY STAR^® Home and Zero Energy Ready Home Certification

Savvy in all aspects of the ENERGY STAR guidelines for new homes set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency state programs in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, and the U.S. Department of Energy Zero Energy Ready Home program, the firm’s certified Home Energy Raters work closely with builders, developers and architects throughout the design and construction process. Our raters conduct on-site diagnostic testing and inspections, and determine the energy-saving equipment and construction techniques needed to document that the home is eligible to earn the ENERGY STAR label and qualify for available incentives.

For more information on ENERGY STAR, visit www.energystar.gov

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)

As part of a suite of energy services, The Levy Partnership assists builders and developers achieve certification under the U.S. Green Building Council LEED programs. LEED provides building owners and operators with a way of measuring and verifying that a building achieves a high standard of sustainable and green design, construction, operation and maintenance.

Passive House Design

As an early advocate for building design that stretches the limits of energy efficiency, The Levy Partnership helped pioneer the application of “Passivhaus” design in the U.S. As the Passive House designer and engineer for the Hudson Passive Project, the first certified Passive House in New York State, our team of energy specialists created a home that is so efficient that the heating and cooling equipment is almost never switched on. This sustainable home demonstrates that superior energy performance can complement great design. The firm certified passive house consultants (CPHC) and PHIUS+ Rater work with builders, architects and homeowners to achieve their Passive House goals, with optional certification via either the Passive House Institute U.S. (PHIUS) or the Passive House Institute in Darmstadt, Germany.

Indoor airPLUS

Indoor airPLUS is an EPA program designed to help builders meet the growing consumer preference for homes with improved indoor air quality. The Levy Partnership assists builders interested in earning the Indoor airPLUS label. Certification under the program requires the careful selection and installation of:

•  Moisture control systems
•  Heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning systems
•  Combustion-venting systems
•  Radon resistant construction
•  Low-emitting building materials

Multifamily Buildings

The Levy Partnership staff work with building owners and managers to improve the energy efficiency of their existing or planned buildings and comply with local and state voluntary and mandatory programs.

New York City Local Law 87

New York City Local Law 87 requires owners of buildings over 50,000 sq. ft. to conduct energy audits and retro-commissioning every ten years. The Levy Partnership walks building owners through this often unfamiliar terrain and recommends cost-effective energy efficiency measures as well as improves building performance and comfort through simple no-cost measures. Our experienced staff advises building owners on all possible incentives that are available to offset the costs of these activities and improvements.

NYSERDA Multifamily Performance Program/Consolidated Edison Commercial & Industrial Energy Efficiency Program

Interested in making your multifamily building more comfortable and energy efficient? The Levy Partnership is a NYSERDA Multifamily Performance Program partner, and a ConEd Commercial & Industrial Energy Efficiency Program market partner. We advise multifamily building owners and developers, prepare plans to improve building performance and help obtain incentives for both existing and new buildings.

New Jersey Pay for Performance (P4P) Program

In New Jersey, we help developers and owners of all building types obtain incentives for improving energy efficiency.

Efficient Design

Working with building owners, architects, developers and stakeholders, The Levy Partnership provides integrated efficiency solutions that touch all phases of construction. We use a whole-building systems approach that takes into account all the multiple interactions among the building site, climate, enclosure and mechanical systems. Our engineers, architects and building scientists devise integrated solutions to optimize overall energy performance at the lowest possible cost.

Recent examples:

High Performance Development Challenge

Sponsored by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA)
The Levy Partnership worked with six leading homebuilders across the state to incorporate ultra-energy-efficient
technologies and products into their standard building practice. To select appropriate energy saving strategies,
we employed a rigorous, multi-step process consisting of:

•  Computer modeling
•  Redesigning the homes in partnership with the builders
•  Monitoring and documenting the construction process
•  Diagnostic testing to evaluate the performance of the
finished homes
•  Cost-benefit analysis

Building Performance

Understanding how buildings work by predicting, measuring and verifying key metrics is vital to achieving performance goals. Our staff is highly experienced in using state of the art modeling and analysis technology:

Energy modeling

Estimates of energy use are developed for new and existing buildings using energy modeling tools that include: REM/Rate, Energy Gauge, BEopt, THERM, WUFI and Passive House Planning Package (PHPP). Results help guide building design and material selection throughout the design process.

Building diagnostics and testing

By characterizing critical indicators of building operation (e.g., envelope tightness, ductwork leakage, ventilation system airflow, infrared thermography, etc.), areas needing improvement are identified early in the building process when modification can be made at low cost.

Long-term monitoring

From a simple utility bill analysis to continuous, on-site multipoint data collection and occupant surveys, The Levy Partnership team tracks and analyzes energy use data comparing actual performance against modeling results, and benchmarking against comparable structures.

Energy audits

In identifying ways to improve the performance of existing buildings, our engineers perform comprehensive audits
that include:

Rebate Programs

The Levy Partnership develops and administers incentive programs that promote the use of energy efficient building techniques mainly on behalf of utilities and State agencies across the nation. These programs typically aim to increase demand for new energy efficient products and/or construction methods. Because of our deep understanding of the building industry, these programs are designed in ways that complement and leverage proven and successful marketing strategies.

To administer and support these rebate programs, TLP provides an integrated collection of services including but not limited to: outreach, education and training, quality control, participant tracking, archiving program data, developing marketing materials, facilitating coordination between program partners, reporting, disbursing incentive payments and contract administration. The examples below are recent incentive program directed by TLP.

State Sponsored Programs: NC Plus Program for ENERGY STAR^® Homes

In 2010, the North Carolina State Energy Office (SEO) embarked on a program to improve energy performance in a part of the state’s affordable housing industry that historically has been underserved, has proved difficult to reach and has created a strain on the state’s energy infrastructure: manufactured housing. The state was motivated to act (manufactured homes represent a large segment of the state’s new housing completions), there is a dire need (buyers typically devote a high portion of income to cover power bills) and conventional mechanisms for improving efficiency do not apply (manufactured homes fall outside the state’s residential code process).

The challenges in reaching this industry led SEO to form a partnership with the groups that have the greatest stake in improving manufactured home efficiency: electric utilities, home manufacturers and home retailers. Finding common ground with these stakeholders was the key to making major strides in reducing residential energy use and moving toward optimal load profiles while addressing the policy goal of improving affordability for potentially financially-at-risk homebuyers. The collaboration, partly underwritten by American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds, proved extraordinarily effective, moving manufactured homes from the worst to some of the best energy performers in the state within 18 months.

Utility Sponsored Programs: ENERGY STAR Factory Built Home Rebate Programs

TLP, under the aegis of the Systems Building Research Alliance (SBRA), develops, administers and facilitates utility-sponsored rebate programs nationwide. These programs are strategically designed to encourage the construction and sales of new ENERGY STAR homes within the utility’s service territory. The programs provide a cash incentive to manufactured and modular home producers or builders/retailers, ranging from $400 to $1,450 per home. Among current and recent clients for these services are the following:

Association Management

The Levy Partnership provides association management services for trade organizations in the building industry. One such client is the Systems Building Research Alliance (SBRA), for whom our staff has been performing day-to-day management since the organization’s inception in 1995. This ongoing responsibility has included establishing overarching goals and requirements for the factory built housing industry’s research, vetting those ideas with stakeholders, translating needs into actionable research, developing plans for conducting the research and, in many instances, facilitating that research. Under TLP’s guidance, SBRA has evolved into the research arm of the industrialized housing industry.

In facilitating the work of industry associations, TLP serves as a bridge linking the interests of the building industry and the public sector, including State and Federal agencies and other stakeholders, such as utilities, that have a common interest in the work of the association. We bring together broadly representative groups of organizations with a common interest, working jointly on research, and developing consensus on topical issues.

Energy Efficiency and Green Building

The Levy Partnership has been instrumental in developing and administering national and regional energy efficiency
and green building programs. Examples of recent program actions include the following:

ENERGY STAR^® for Factory Built Homes

ENERGY STAR^® is a nationally recognized, voluntary labeling program designed to identify and promote energy-efficient products, new homes and buildings to consumers and business owners across the United States. The brand is supported by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy. TLP played a central role in the development of procedures for qualifying factory built homes for the ENERGY STAR label.

The ENERGY STAR Manufactured Home Program and the ENERGY STAR Modular Home Program are residential new construction programs that provide recognition, education, and marketing support to factory built home producers and builders/retailers to encourage the construction, sales and installation of new ENERGY STAR qualified homes nationally. TLP staff, working under the aegis of the Systems Building Research Alliance, provides national quality assurance for the program, monitoring compliance, awarding the label, conducting outreach and education activities and helping EPA track industry participation.

CertifiedGreen^TM Factory Built Homes Program

CertifiedGreen^TM is a national program for qualifying new factory built homes as compliant with the National Green Building Standard accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), the only ANSI-accredited green building rating system for residential construction. The program enables factory builders to demonstrate that homes are sustainable with regard to site selection, water efficiency, energy use, material selection and indoor environmental quality.

The CertifiedGreen Modular Home Program was developed by TLP for the Systems Building Research Alliance, in cooperation with the National Modular Housing Council. The program helps to showcase the inherently green nature of factory building: the efficient way that modular and manufactured homes are constructed, the use and reuse of materials and the general conservation of resources that are the hallmarks of modular and manufactured home construction.

The Levy Partnership is primarily responsible for the administration and implementation of the program and provides compliance tracking, marketing and outreach efforts, quality assurance, label issuance and customer satisfaction.

Selected Publications

•  Dentz, J. (2015). NYPHA Presentation May 2015, Low Rise Passive House + Incentive Programs

•  Dentz, J., Henderson, H., & Varshney, K. (2014). Hydronic Heating Retrofits for Low-Rise Multifamily Buildings: Boiler Control Replacement and Monitoring. Golden, CO: National Renewable Energy Laboratory.

•  Dentz, J., Conlin, F., Podorson, D., & Alaigh, K. (2014). Public Housing: A Tailored Approach to Energy Retrofits. Golden, CO: National Renewable Energy Laboratory.

•  Dentz, J., Podorson, D., & Varshney, K. (2014). Mini-Split Heat Pump Multifamily Retrofit Feasibility Study. Golden, CO: National Renewable Energy Laboratory.

•  Levy, E., Mullens, M., & Rath, P. (2014). Advanced Envelope Research for Factory Built Housing Phase 3– Whole-House Prototyping. Golden, CO: National Renewable Energy Laboratory.

•  Dentz, J., Conlin, F., Holloway, P., Podorson, D., & Varshney, K. (2014). Air Distribution Retrofit Strategies for Affordable Housing. Golden, CO: National Renewable Energy Laboratory.

•  ARIES Collaborative. (2014). Evaluating an Exterior Insulation and Finish System for Deep Energy Retrofits. Golden, CO: National Renewable Energy Laboratory.

•  Dentz, J., Varshney, K., & Henderson, H. (2013). Overheating in Hot Water- and Steam-Heated Multifamily Buildings. Golden, CO: National Renewable Energy Laboratory.

•  Dentz, J. and Conlin, F. (2012). Final Report: Case Study of Envelope Sealing in Existing Multi-unit Structures. Golden, CO: National Renewable Energy Laboratory.

•  Dentz, J. and Henderson, H. (2012). Hydronic Heating Retrofits for Low-Rise Multifamily Buildings.Golden, CO: National Renewable Energy Laboratory.

•  (2004) Water Conservation Series of Fact Sheets. New York: The Levy Partnership, Inc., D&R International, Ltd. and BuildingGreen, Inc.

•  (1997) Manufactured Housing Energy Efficiency Programs: Principles and Practices. Report prepared by The Levy Partnership for the Electric Power Research Institute, Palo
Alto, California.

Publications for the Systems Building Research Alliance
(formerly the Manufactured Housing Research Alliance)

•  Getting Lean: Assessing the Benefits of Lean Production in Factory Built Housing.

•  Longevity and Performance of Construction Adhesives and Sealants.

•  Model Manufacturer’s Installation Manual.

•  Factory Built Housing Heating and Cooling Distribution Systems Research.

•  ENERGY STAR^® Qualified Manufactured Homes: Design, Manufacturing, Installation and
Certification Procedures (Fourth Edition).

•  ENERGY STAR^® Qualified Manufactured Homes: Guide for Retailers with Instructions for
Installers and HVAC Contractors.

•  Factory Built Housing Roadmap (Including Recommendations for Energy Research).

•  Saving Money by Saving Energy for Manufactured Homes.

•  ENERGY STAR^® Qualified Manufactured Homes: Design, Manufacturing, Installation and Certification Procedures
(Third Edition).

•  Eliminating Barriers to the Use of HUD-Code Housing in Attached Construction.

•  Improving Air Distribution Performance in Manufactured Housing.

•  Minimizing Moisture Problems in Manufactured Homes Located in Hot, Humid Climates: Response of Interior Air
Pressures to Various Operating Conditions.

•  Whole House Ventilation Strategies for Manufactured Homes.

•  Technology Roadmapping for Manufactured Housing.

•  ENERGY STAR^® Labeled Manufactured Homes: Design, Manufacturing, Installation and Certification Procedures.

•  Guide to Foundation and Support Systems for Manufactured Homes.

•  Attic Design Strategies for Manufactured Homes.

•  Design for a Cold-formed Steel Framing Manufactured Home: Technical
Support Document.

•  Structural Insulated Panels in Manufactured Home Roof System: Engineering Guidelines.

•  Ground Anchor Selection and Installation Chart and Guidelines for Anchor System Design:Technical Support Document.

•  Measured Permeance Values for Selected Interior Wall Assemblies.

•  Manufactured Housing Duct Systems: Guide to Best Practices.

•  Moisture Problems in Manufactured Homes: Understanding Their Causes and Finding Solutions.

•  Manufactured Housing Fuel Switching: Field Test Study.

•  Cooling Equipment Sizing Charts and Cooling Equipment Sizing Charts for Air Conditioner and Heat Pump Sizing:
Technical Support Document.

Press Releases

•  New DOE Partner to focus on Affordable Housing, July 29, 2010

•  Passive: The New Energy Efficiency Paradigm, Mar 1, 2010

•  Building a Green New York, January 2010

Articles

•  Cooling Off, Cutting Costs, Habitat Magazine, September 2010

•  “What’s Next for Lean Production?,” Modern Homes, May/June 2009

•  “Green: A Factory-Building Perspective,” Modern Homes, July/August 2007

•  “Maximizing Performance, Minimizing Costs: Research Undertaken to Advance
Factory-Built Housing”, Modern Homes, January/February 2006

Locations & Contact Info