Commercial buildings in California--from restaurants to supermarkets and office buildings--are wasting energy with their heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems, according to the results of a six-year research effort funded by the California Energy Commission unveiled April 6. A survey found that 38 percent of small and medium-sized commercial buildings were overcooled and 12 percent overheated, many to as high as 77 degrees. In addition, the survey found many buildings were overcooled and overheated when they were unoccupied. Moreover, many building owners do not open windows for ventilation and on the other hand leave doors open allowing energy leaks. “They can save a significant amount of energy,” concluded University of California at Davis professor of environmental and occupational health Deborah Bennett in presenting the findings to the California Air Resources Board, which helped oversee the study. Bennett explained that small and medium-sized commercial buildings make up 96 percent of all commercial buildings, making them major energy users. The research findings came right after the Senate Energy, Utilities, and Communications Committee April 5 approved a bill--SB 454 by Senator Fran Pavley (D-Agoura Hills)--aimed at protecting consumers from contractors that cut corners on installation and maintenance of HVAC systems. It gives the Energy Commission enforcement power and requires permits before utilities can issue energy efficiency rebates (see story in the Capitol section). Pavley notes that fewer than 10 percent of HVAC replacement installations are done under building permits, meaning there is no inspection to make sure they meet the state’s energy efficiency code. In addition, half the units sold have not been certified to meet state energy efficiency requirements. The poor installations “rob consumers of energy savings and make it impossible for the state to meet energy goals,” according to Pavley. With HVAC representing one of the largest categories of building energy use, California has a long way to go to become energy efficient in cooling and heating, the data show.