What comes to mind when you think of energy efficiency?
It’s also important to keep in mind that energy efficiency isn’t about giving up things like comfort and convenience. It’s about getting more out of the resources we already use. We can enjoy a comfortable, well-lit home while being energy efficient and saving money too.
Posts Tagged Home Performance
In the last post we examined tha actual efficiencies of tankless waterheaters apart from the industry claims. We discussed the high upfront cost against the actual savings in dollars. A couple of other issues to keep in mind if considering going tankless: “Cold Water Sandwich” Imagine a common situation we have all experienced. You turn [...]
In an earlier post we calculated the minimum whole building ventilation requirements for a 2000 sf home under the 2008 Title 24. What are our options for controlling the ventilation system? It depends on the type of ventilation system we have selected. If it as simple as using a bathroom exhaust fan as our continuous [...]
Simply put, yes it can. Traditionally, wood framed structures supplied needed ventilation and moisture control by infiltration through the building’s shell. This worked well except there was a trade off: excessive heat loss and cold drafts. Even with the addition of insulation, excessive air infiltration across fiberglass batts renders them ineffective at preventing heat loss. Fast forward a few years. In [...]
Before I weigh in on the question of windows and energy efficiency, let me first say that there are plenty of great reasons to upgrade your windows. Aesthetics would be high on the list, along with improved function and definitely resale value. It’s a no-brainer that all things being equal, you would choose house A [...]
Following up on a previous post regarding the stimulus money SMUD has received for energy retrofitting homes in it’s service area. A crucial part of building performance has always been the initial diagnostic assessment or energy audit. This provides important information to the home performance contractor allowing them to tailor a plan that fits the individual [...]
The Sacramento Business Journal is reporting today that single family building permits are up by 41% in the month of January compared to the same month last year. 211 permits were pulled last month versus 150 in January 2009. This is also an increase of 23% over the 172 permits pulled in the previous month December [...]
The new Energy Standards take the subject of lighting controls and there effect on energy performance more seriously than ever before. There are basically four types of lighting controls recognized in the Standards. An Energy Management Control System (EMCS), that controls on/off times, duration and dimming levels by means of a computer. A programmable wall [...]
The Sacramento Municipal Utility District was awarded $36 million in federal stimulus grants on Thursday, according to an article released yesterday by the Sacramento Business Journal. The Department of Energy grant funds are to help SMUD customers improve their home’s energy efficiency, which in turn will help the utility reduce demand on its system and help [...]
Thinking of replacing an existing toilet to reduce your water use, but hesitating because of the expense? Here’s an option you might consider. Brondell has introduced…
According to the Building Performance Institute, building performance is a systematic approach to improving the comfort, health, safety, energy efficiency and durability of our customers homes and places of work. Comfort is improved by treating the building as a system of processes…
There is a new program working it’s way through congress right now and hopefully will be part of the upcoming jobs bill. It’s called HOMESTAR or as it’s been called in the media “Cash for Caulkers”.
I thought I’d share some details of the program and how it could be a benefit to our local economy.
HOME STAR was originally proposed by a coalition of….
What exactly does the code mean when it says “high efficacy or low efficacy fixture”? First a couple definitions: The code doesn’t use the term fixture. They use the lighting industry term “luminaire“. This is the housing, lamp holder and ballast if present. Neither does it use the term bulb. It is referred to as a ”lamp”. Efficacy [...]
