When a residential HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) replacement is made in California, it's often done without the required permits. Why? While the cost of a permit is a factor, the biggest hindrance is the time it typically takes to go through the permit process.

The Center for Sustainable Energy, with funding from the California Energy Commission, is working with building departments across Southern California to make the residential HVAC permit process less burdensome — for both contractors and building department staff.

The Center for Sustainable Energy has published a report that outlines how cities and counties in California can play a key role in achieving state energy efficiency goals and greenhouse gas emission reductions by working toward zero net energy (ZNE) buildings and homes.