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 [...]
Posts Tagged Sustainable Building Performance
2009 may well go down in the record books as one of the economically worst in recent memory. Venture capitol investing and IPOs fell to their lowest levels in over 10 years. Governments around the globe scrambled to implement stimulus programs to shore up their crumbling economies and try to create jobs to counter rising [...]
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 [...]
Solar Power Inc. of Roseville a manufacturer and installer of commercial, industrial and residential PV solar systems has recieved $24.7 million in Stimulus funding. Founded in 2005, Solar Power has installed numerous PV solar systems including the largest PV system in the state of Georgia at the Mannheim DRIVE Center a 165,000 square foot auto [...]
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 [...]
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 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 Walmart Sustainability Index: A Win for Consumers or Just Another Way to Dominate the Market?
Feb 17
Last fall Walmart rolled out a three phase plan to create a label for it’s 100,000 plus products to inform consumers of the environmental impacts of each of those products. Imagine something like the nutrition labels required on food by the FDA except instead of listing calories, fat and protein, it might list the green [...]
The EPA has many programs to encourage the reduction of energy use through education and rebates such as Energy Star. Now after a three year development and public comment period they have released their new Water Sense for Single Family Homes specifications. Like the Energy Star for homes program, participation is voluntary. Certification requires the use [...]
According to an article today in the Sacramento Business Journal Sacramento County has received $16.5 million in state funds to start their AB811 energy efficient loan program. If you haven’t read my previous posts on the subject, AB811 was a bill enacted last year to allow California cities and counties to set up special assessment districts [...]
Virtual Energy Forum
Feb 11
The Virtual Energy Forum is a free conference that brings together stakeholders in the energy industry with potential customers, policy makers, and investors. The event, which meets twice a year and features live video presentations, real-time Q & A and a virtual exhibit floor, answers the need to better understand how to implement renewable and cost-saving [...]
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…
On Friday of last week we were finally able after months of hard work to submit our package of paperwork to HUD for review. This has been the culmination of an extraordinary effort led by Sacramento architect Michael Malinowski AIA and his staff at Applied Architecture Inc. Worthy of particular credit is Nitisha Gilra LEED AP a member of…
