DMA Engineering

🌎 Colorado energy innovation worth watching

A compelling shift is underway in the Julesburg Basin of Colorado. In Weld County, Occidental Petroleum is applying decades of oil and gas drilling expertise to unlock geothermal energy, with support from the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Geothermal Technologies.

By drilling as deep as 20,000 feet, the goal is to tackle one of geothermal’s biggest challenges: cost-effective drilling at scale. If successful, this approach could accelerate deployment of clean, reliable thermal energy across Colorado and beyond.
📌 Read more about it in the CPR News article here: https://na2.hubs.ly/H04PqH70

At DMA Engineering, this is exciting. It shows how existing infrastructure and expertise can be repurposed to support the next generation of sustainable energy systems.

We’re already applying geothermal solutions at the building scale—helping commercial and residential projects achieve efficient, cost-effective heating and cooling.

👉 Want a quick overview of how geothermal works in real projects? Download our fast-read guide here: https://na2.hubs.ly/H04PqyS0

🌿 Passive House Meets Hospitality: Big Inspiration for Building Better

Sometimes we come across a project that reminds us why we do what we do. Hotel Marcel in New Haven is one of those projects. As the only Passive House-certified hotel in the U.S., it proves that ambitious sustainability goals don’t have to come at the expense of design, function, or financial viability.
📌 Check it out here: https://hubs.la/Q03K-Gyq0

What makes this Passive House hotel project so inspiring?
✅ An iconic mid-century office building reimagined as a fossil-fuel-free hotel
✅ A perfect balance of historic preservation + elegance + cutting-edge efficiency
✅ On track to become the nation’s first Net Zero hotel by the end of 2025

DMA recently hosted a Passive House event in Basalt to bring together architects, engineers, Passive House consultants, GCs, and other industry pros. Collaboration like this drives what’s possible and shows that Passive House standards are ready to scale at impressive levels.

At DMA Engineering, we bring this passion for energy efficiency and sustainability to every project, whether it’s luxury residential or large-scale commercial. From Passive House modeling to Net Zero design, we help create cost-effective, regenerative systems that perform beautifully and sustainably.

Want to explore Passive House or Net Zero strategies for your next project? Let’s talk: https://hubs.la/Q03K-KYl0

✨ Here’s to building smarter, cleaner, and more inspiring spaces together.

🏗️ Commissioning BAS & DDC-Controlled HVAC Systems: Why It Matters

When it comes to BAS and DDC systems, the smallest oversight at startup can become the biggest problem down the line. Commissioning is a critical process that should begin before design and continue through occupancy. This is especially true for commercial buildings with Building Automation Systems (BAS) and Direct Digital Control (DDC), where complexity and operating expenses leave no room for error.

With BAS and DDC advanced controls as the backbone of modern HVAC, even small oversights in programming, sequences, or installation can lead to inefficiencies, comfort issues, and costly consequences.

At DMA Engineering, we see it every day:
⚠️ Misapplied sequences compromise performance.
⚠️ Gaps between design and installation go undetected without testing.
⚠️ Startup issues become persistent deficiencies and costly workarounds.

Our DMA commissioning tackles these risks head-on by documenting, testing, and verifying so systems perform exactly as intended. And we ensure architects, contractors, and owners can rely on systems that deliver efficiency, reliability, and long-term value.

👉 Check out our recent blog to learn more: https://hubs.la/Q03KN9zT0
• Why BAS/DDC commissioning is essential
• Risks of skipping it
• The value of third-party objectivity
• A case where commissioning prevented costly disputes

📩 We invite you to contact us to discuss commissioning or other commercial energy efficiency solutions: https://hubs.la/Q03KNcZ60

💰 Colorado funding still available: $35 million on the table for large building efficiency projects.

The Colorado Energy Office launched a $35M Large Building Decarbonization Showcase to support projects that cut energy use and emissions in buildings 50,000 sq ft and larger.

✅ Funding can cover:
Up to 65% of project costs (capped at $2M)
Up to 50% of planning costs (up to $50K)

📅 Applications run Sept. 30 – Nov. 3, 2025, and program materials just came out here 📌 https://hubs.la/Q03JHKMk0

At DMA Engineering, we see opportunities like this as the bridge between big ideas and built results for commercial, multifamily and public buildings. We can help you position your project to maximize funding, meet compliance under Building Performance Colorado, and deliver energy performance that lasts. For details, see the program flyer 📌https://hubs.la/Q03JHKTr0.

👉 Don’t leave this opportunity on the table. Reach out to discuss how we can help translate this funding opportunity into a cost-effective, energy-efficient solution for the lifetime value of your building.

🌍 International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies is Sunday, September 7th.

Join the global community in recognizing the urgent need to reduce air pollution and protect human health to reduce one of the main avoidable causes of death and disease globally. We at DMA Engineering "live and breathe" our passion to serve our community via improved air quality and reduced air pollution - on this special United Nations day and every day.

🏢 From outdoor air to indoor air, the focus is on well-being.
Beyond the clear blue skies and the great outdoors, clean outdoor air is critical to the 90% of our lives we spend indoors. Too often, indoor environments trap pollutants, humidity, and stale air, impacting health, productivity, and well-being. At DMA Engineering, we design ventilation and indoor air quality (IAQ) systems that deliver fresh, healthy air inside, where it matters most.

✨ On this International Day of Clean Air, we’re inspired to continue helping architects, contractors, building managers and homeowners to create spaces that are not only efficient, but also healthy places to live, work, and thrive.

👉 Learn more about how to enjoy better indoor air quality through our DMA testing and solutions here: https://hubs.la/Q03H6-kw0

🌍 What kind of energy saver are you?

According to new research from the Smart Energy Consumer Collaborative (SECC), U.S. households tend to fall into four distinct categories:

⚡ Informed & Engaged – already manage their energy use and love smart solutions
📱 Curious & Capable – tech-savvy but not yet connecting the dots to energy
💰 Tech-Cautious Savers – focused on cost, less interested in gadgets
🛋️ Turnkey Comfort – want reliability and ease, with minimal effort required

This article caught our attention because whether you’re a leading-edge saver or just want predictable, affordable comfort, the common thread is clear: everyone benefits from smarter, more efficient energy systems. 📌https://hubs.la/Q03GM1010

Our DMA role is simple: make energy efficiency easy, effective, and future-ready, whether your project is commercial, public, or residential. We tailor strategies to match your goals, style, and budget, so efficiency never feels out of reach.

👉 Ready to see how your next project can save energy and money without compromising comfort or compliance? Let’s talk. Here’s a head start for building designers and owners: 📌https://hubs.la/Q03GM2wf0🌍

Navigating the Path to ENERGY START NextGen in Residential Design

When rebuilding their home after the Marshall Fire, these Louisville homeowners had clear goals: energy efficiency, long-term resilience, and maximizing available rebates and tax credits. Achieving all three required more than just good intentions.

It required the right team and the right strategy: DMA Engineering partnered with TKP Architects to provide early-stage guidance to evaluate certification options, design mechanical systems, and chart a path toward sustainability.

While a Passive House certification was considered, it would have reduced interior square footage by 120 SF, an unacceptable trade-off. The team chose Energy Star NextGen, a newly introduced certification that aligns with 45L tax credit requirements and utility rebates while maintaining design flexibility.

ENERGY START NextGen certification requires:
🔹 ENERGY STAR Single-Family New Homes V3.2 compliance
🔹 DOE Zero Energy Ready Home certification
🔹 Installation of electric-ready infrastructure for HVAC, water heating, cooking, and clothes drying

DMA’s role included:
✔️ Full mechanical system design
✔️ Trade-off analysis to meet certification thresholds
✔️ Ground-source heat pump (geothermal) HVAC design
✔️ HERS rating and certification coordination

The result is a high-efficiency, all-electric home, certified to meet today’s highest residential standards. This project reflects our core approach of integrating solution-based engineering with strategy to help architects, builders, and homeowners make smart, future-ready decisions. We’re proud to collaborate with TKP Architects, Gruber Construction, and the homeowners on this forward-thinking rebuild.

🌊 Inspired by what’s possible! District-scale decarbonization, powered by the sea.

Heat pumps are often thought of as single-building solutions. But in Esbjerg, Denmark, engineers scaled the idea to serve 25,000 homes, replacing coal-fired heat with seawater-powered efficiency for an entire city of 100,000.

At DMA Engineering, we find projects like this inspiring reminders that smart, clean, reliable systems can really be implemented at any scale. Whether here or abroad, the truth is the same: high-performance systems are no longer experimental or out of reach. Whether you’re planning a new build or considering a retrofit, DMA Engineering can help translate global innovation into local, cost-effective, code-compliant solutions.

Read about it here🔗 https://hubs.la/Q03Gdc3n0

🔄 One system. Two functions.
Heat pumps cool in summer and heat in winter, making them simple, efficient, cost-saving. This means year-round comfort with only one system, using a simple reversing valve.

💡Partners for a Clean Environment (PACE) Boulder County explained heat pump functionality this way in a recent newsletter: "A conventional AC unit is a bit like a bike that you can only ride forward... A heat pump, on the other hand, works a bit like a car which has both forward and reverse gears."

🚨 Boulder County PACE rebates are almost fully allocated. Limited funding remains for business electrification projects like heat pumps. If you’re considering an upgrade, now is the time to act 👉 https://hubs.la/Q03FgY8f0

💸 We are here for you! DMA Engineering has guided multiple successful C-PACE projects across Colorado. We know how to navigate the process and can help you move quickly to make your building more efficient, comfortable, and cost-effective. Contact us to get started and benefit from tips on how to avoid C-PACE pitfalls: https://hubs.la/Q03FgT2l0

Need help with Energize Denver compliance?

The first group of small buildings in Denver are approaching an Energize Denver deadline that is now less than 5 months away. Commercial and multifamily buildings 15,001–24,999 sq ft must comply with either the lighting/LPD or the energy source requirement for new and altered interior spaces by December 31, 2025.

To facilitate the process, Denver’s Office of Climate Action, Sustainability & Resiliency is hosting in-person help navigation sessions for buildings 5,000–24,999 sq ft.
✅Compliance paperwork
✅Planning building upgrades
✅Applying for timeline extensions or alternate compliance

📅 Upcoming sessions:
Sept 15 · 10 AM–2 PM · Ross-University Hills Library
Oct 14 · 12–3 PM · Sam Gary Library
Nov 12 · 10 AM–2 PM · Corky Gonzalez Library

Stay compliant. Stay on schedule.
Compliance is straightforward, but it can take time to complete. DMA Engineering is ready to help you achieve and verify your compliance by year-end. We work hard every day on the reduction of energy use in Denver’s largest buildings, to deliver long-term cost saving, cuts in pollution and sustainable places to live and work.

📌 More help with 15,001–24,999 sq ft buildings is available here: https://hubs.la/Q03CRn5S0