Who we are

Built on building science.
Grounded in practice.

A2 Efficiency is a performance engineering and design consulting firm based in Santa Rosa, California. We help architecture and engineering teams, building owners, energy utilities, and state agencies make smarter decisions about how buildings use energy.

Our expertise spans building mechanical system efficiency, operational energy analysis, and state-of-the-art building energy modeling. We partner with design teams and policymakers to deliver insights that are technically rigorous, practical to implement, and grounded in real-world performance.

We don't just model buildings — we translate what works in practice into solutions that can transform the built environment at scale.

First principles

We engage at the start of design, not after systems are locked. Early analysis creates the leverage that makes good ideas buildable.

Rigorous analysis

We use real energy modeling, not rules of thumb. Our recommendations survive value engineering because they're grounded in data.

Policy fluency

We understand California's energy code from the inside — we've contributed to it. That means better strategy for every project we touch.

Honest advice

We tell clients what they need to hear. If an idea won't survive field conditions or value engineering, we say so early — before it costs them.

The team

People who do the work.

A small firm by design. Everyone on the team has direct client contact and hands-on project responsibility.

Neil Bulger — Principal, President
Neil Bulger
Principal · President · PE, LEED AP

Founder of A2 Efficiency with more than 18 years in the building industry. Neil's expertise spans low-energy HVAC systems, MEP design strategies, and energy simulation. He has worked on numerous Net Zero Energy projects and has presented over 20 times at regional and national events. He holds a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Cal Poly SLO and is a licensed PE in California.

PE · CA #M36625 LEED AP BD+C ASHRAE CABEC IBPSA
Michael Sawford — Senior Consultant
Michael Sawford
Senior Consultant

Over 18 years of experience in building energy modeling, simulation software development, and technical consulting across utility, policy, and high-performance building sectors. Previously VP at EDSL, developers of the Tas simulation platform. Active in ASHRAE SSPC 209, ASHRAE SPC 229, and IBPSA Project StaSIO. BS in Mathematics and Physics, University of York, UK.

ASHRAE SSPC 209 ASHRAE SPC 229 IBPSA Tas · EnergyPlus

Engineering Team

Fatima Saeed — Building Performance Engineer
Fatima Saeed
Building Performance Engineer

Fatima holds a Bachelor of Building Engineering with a concentration in Building Energy & Environment from Concordia University. She applies whole-building energy modeling, building science, and daylighting analysis directly alongside architects and engineers, translating modeling findings into actionable design decisions.

Energy Modeling Daylighting Building Science

Also on the team

MB
Megan Bulger
Finance & Operations Manager
MR
Michelle Reyes
Operations Coordinator
Professional involvement

Active in the industry.

ASHRAE

SSPC 209 and SPC 229 committee members. Active in simulation-aided design and automated ruleset checking standards.

IBPSA

International Building Performance Simulation Association. Founding member of Project StaSIO — improving communication of simulation insights.

CABEC

California Association of Building Energy Consultants. Active member and CalBEM Co-Chair with SCE.

AIA & USGBC

AIA Affiliate Member and USGBC-CA Member. Active in California's sustainable building design community.

Work with us

A small firm that punches
above its weight.

We take on projects where the analysis actually matters — where early decisions affect how a building performs for decades. If that sounds like your project, let's talk.

Get in touch info@a2efficiency.com