HMG conducts research to better understand how various building systems perform and how they could be improved to provide better performance and increased energy savings. Past projects include optimization of skylights and photocontrol systems.  Analysis for these projects included extensive thermal and solar-optical testing of skylights and their light wells and field surveys on buildings with photocontrols to identify what characteristics are needed for a successful photocontrol system in a variety of building types.  

HMG has explored the relationship between the built environment and non-energy benefits. In particular, we have completed studies researching correlations between daylight availability and human productivity in multiple building types.  Our schools study found significant improvements in test scores to be strongly correlated with daylight in classrooms. Our retail study found that retail sales were as much as 40% higher in stores with skylighting. 

HMG's MA&E reports inform policymakers and program developers who are involved in market transformation. The studies are  designed to provide baseline and market characterization data on nonresidential new construction.  Topics include relative energy efficiency of program participant and non-participant buildings, market penetration of utility program activities, characteristics of energy efficiency measures, structure of design teams and their decision making practices, and overall trends in the building market.

We have worked with the State of California, Pacific Gas & Electric and others to improve the building energy efficiency standards, including requiring cost effective measures to be included in a building's design, recognition and encouragement of advanced technologies and investigation of new ways to look at energy savings potential in buildings.  

We design and manage incentive programs to promote energy efficiency.  We worked on several California programs, including Savings by Design and Designed for Comfort and are currently managing Efficient Affordable Housing, a CPUC third party program.  We also assisted northwest utilities in developing a program portfolio responsive to their ratepayer needs. 

SkyCalc- we developed this Microsoft Excel™ spreadsheet application to help building designers determine the optimum skylighting strategy that will achieve maximum lighting and HVAC energy savings for a building.