Melas Energy Engineering is a small engineering firm located in the Sierra foothills.
Our proximity to Sacramento, the Bay Area and the Sierra Mountain regions allow us to offer a wide range of services to a wide range of clients.
Michael Melas
As principal and owner of Melas Energy Engineering, Michael is responsible for the technical direction of mechanical system design including HVAC, plumbing, and alternative energy systems. His responsibilities include energy analysis, energy compliance, load calculations & mechanical system design for residential, commercial, and industrial buildings, using state-of-the-art computer modeling.
Michael has over 35 years of experience in energy modeling, designing solar thermal systems, hydronic heating and air conditioning systems, standard HVAC and plumbing systems. His experience includes innovative and conventional mechanical design for new construction and remodeling of health care facilities, schools, office buildings, retail centers, and data centers; hood design; evaporative cooling analysis and design for residential and commercial facilities; energy audits for schools and small commercial buildings; training and instruction to building officials, and many other innovative applications, including active and passive solar space and water heating systems.
Michael became a certified HERS rater in 2004 and certified Green Point Rater in 2010. He has duct tested numerous air systems for residential and commercial buildings and provided air balancing. He has provided Green Building fundamental commissioning and has utilized diagnostic testing for quality assurance and accuracy in many of the projects he has designed.
Michael has served as the prime consultant on many projects, coordinating consultants. He has provided construction administration services and commissioning on many of the projects he has designed.
Chris Miller
As a staff mechanical engineer at Melas Energy Engineering, Chris is responsible for mechanical system design, analysis, and drafting. His responsibilities include energy analysis, energy compliance, green point rating, LEED building compliance, California Utility Allowance calculations, and mechanical system design for residential, commercial, and industrial buildings. He has also designed numerous hydronic based heating systems and provided consultation and recommendations for Energy Conservation Measures.
Chris became a certified HERS rater in 2003. Since that time, he has duct tested over 100 systems ranging from small production homes to large custom homes. He is also a certified HERS rater for High Quality Insulation Inspections and inspection for New Solar Homes.
Chris has over 25 years of experience in energy modeling, designing HVAC and alternative energy systems. His focus and expertise are in the fields of energy conservation, application of modern HVAC systems, building commissioning, and many other innovative applications, including active and passive solar space and water heating systems.
Nicole Porata
Nicole is the staff residential CABEC CEA certified energy consultant
and HERS rater at Melas Energy Engineering.
Nicole received her degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Nevada, Reno in 2013. Prior to coming to work for Melas Energy Engineering in May of 2016, Nicole apprenticed with a structural engineering company, where she gained experience analyzing building plans, reviewing shop drawings and providing structural calculations.
During her time with Melas Energy Engineering, Nicole has provided hundreds of Title-24 Calculations for residential and commercial buildings, load and airflow calculations for residences, duct designs and gas piping designs for residences and HERS and duct tests.
David Daum
David prepares the HVAC and Plumbing plans for submittal. He has over 15 years of experience in mechanical and architectural CAD drafting and 3D modeling with AutoCAD MEP and AutoCAD Architecture. With extensive work in mechanical and architectural firms, he has a broad understanding of building systems, building codes and energy efficient building principles. His construction knowledge is grounded in over 20 years of hands-on experience in the building trades. He brings a practical understanding of buildability to the plans he prepares.