Advanced Energy-efficient and Fire-resistive Envelope Systems Utilizing Vacuum Insulation for Manufactured Homes (REVISED)
Summary
SCH Number
2026091240
Public Agency
California Energy Commission
Document Title
Advanced Energy-efficient and Fire-resistive Envelope Systems Utilizing Vacuum Insulation for Manufactured Homes (REVISED)
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
9/29/2026
Document Description
This research will demonstrate the advanced insulation and air sealing technologies in three single family all-electric manufactured accessory dwelling units built on two different lots and verify their impact on the overall energy performance of the homes. Current and future manufactured home communities will benefit from this project.
This project entails lab testing at established laboratory sites in Berkeley to evaluate the thermal performance of vacuum insulated panels (VIPs). Upon completion of the laboratory testing, this project will also entail the design and construction of up to three prototype manufactured, single-family homes utilizing these VIPs and the temporary measurement of the energy efficiency of these homes. The grant recipient will use the VIP-based prefabricated envelope systems and state-of-the-art air sealing methods to construct these prototype homes. The accessory dwelling unit (ADU) homes will be built in Altadena in Los Angeles County on lots that were burned down in the 2025 fires.
Contact Information
Name
Jeanie Mar
Agency Name
California Energy Commission
Job Title
Commission Agreement Manager
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Address
Phone
Email
Name
Dr. Kaushik Biswas
Agency Name
Gas Technology Institute
Job Title
Project Manager
Contact Types
Project Applicant / Parties Undertaking Project
Address
Phone
Email
Location
Cities
Altadena, Berkeley
Counties
Alameda, Los Angeles
Regions
Northern California, Southern California
Cross Streets
Multiple
Other Location Info
445 W Harriet St, Altadena 91001,
52 E Harriet St, Altadena 91001
1 Cyclotron Rd, Berkeley, 94720
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Cal. Code Regs., tit. 14, § 15303 ; Cal. Code Regs., tit. 14, § 15306
Reasons for Exemption
Cal. Code Regs., tit 14, sec. 15303 provides that projects that consist of construction and location of limited number of new, small facilities or structures, and installation of small new equipment and facilities in small structures, are categorically exempt from the provisions of CEQA. This project will be installing 3 ADUs on two lots zoned for single-family use. One lot will have 2 ADUs and the other lot will have 1 ADU. Single family zoning in Los Angeles County allows lots to have 1 attached ADU, 1 detached ADU and a Junior ADU. Therefore, this project is exempt from CEQA under Cal. Code Regs., tit 14, sec. 15303(a).
Cal. Code Regs., tit 14, sec 15306 provides that projects which consist of data collection, research, experimental management, and resource evaluation activities, and which do not result in a serious or major disturbance to environmental resources, are categorically exempt from CEQA. This project consists of research and data collection associated with the development and performance of VIPs in laboratory and field settings where there will be no serious nor major disturbance to environmental resources. The research portion of this work to design the prototype mobile homes will occur in existing offices. Therefore, this project is also exempt from CEQA under Cal. Code Regs., tit 14, sec. 15306.
This project will not impact an environmental resource of hazardous or critical concern where designated, precisely mapped, and officially adopted pursuant to law by federal, state, or local agencies; does not involve any cumulative impacts of successive projects of the same type in the same place that might be considered significant; does not involve unusual circumstances that might have a significant effect on the environment; will not result in damage to scenic resources within a highway officially designated as a state scenic highway; the project site is not included on any list compiled pursuant to Government Code section 65962.5; and the project will not cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of a historical resource. Therefore, none of the exceptions to categorical exemptions listed in CEQA Guidelines section 15300.2 apply to this project, and this project will not have a significant effect on the environment.
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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