Enjoy our latest cold snap? When it is below freezing out the first thing that we notice is how uncomfortable our homes if they have not been built or tuned up. You will see many commercials telling you to either upgrade your insulation, fix your HVAC or change out your windows. The claim is that if you make any of these improvements you will see 50% or more off of your energy bill.

This could be the case, however each home or building is different and these types of savings are based on how bad the house is in the first place.

Confused? Well- you should be. Most contractors don’t even know where to start.

If you are talking to and HVAC contractor (that only does HVAC- not home performance) they will sell you on the latest and greatest equipment.

If you got one of those “free audits” for you home- you will get sold some insulation.

If you call a window replacement company- you will get sold some super insulated vinyl windows that will be 25% less if you sign now!

Not that these products do not work (this was an intentional “double negative”), however if they applied in the wrong order, you will end having to spend the money twice or may not get the full benefit of the improvement immediately.

What is the solution? The best thing to do is do everything at once with a home performance contractor. They will do full diagnostic assessment to see where the problems are on your home and will give you a prioritized list based on safety concerns and return on investment.

Typically, you will see the ROI in this order.

1. Fix the holes Any holes in the exterior of your home is costing you money every day.  Whether it is an actual home where air or water is coming in/ going out or if it is inadequate insulation allowing for heat to be lost in the winter or gained in the summer.  This applies to foaming holes around the windows, air sealing around outlets, adding insulation to areas that do not have it (after you seal the holes), replacing windows that leak, and fixing duct work that leaks.
2. Upgrade the HVAC This needs to happen after the house is weatherized.  If not, the HVAC will be sized according an inefficient house.  Once you make it efficient, then the HVAC will be over-sized for that house.  Over-sized HVAC systems do not run long enough to pull the moisture out of the air and this can cause indoor air quality issues.  If you are going to upgrade the insulation and windows (just not now) then size the HVAC for the more efficient house.  It will just have to run longer to condition the house, but it will condition it.  Also, make sure that you fix your ductwork at the same time.  If not, you just spend tens of thousands on a system that is 10-30% more efficient that you old one (unless you are going with geothermal) and your duct system could be leaking 50% of the air to the outside.  Fixing the ductwork is a fraction of the cost and yields a faster ROI.
3. Renewable Energy-
   1. Geothermal HVAC should be considered whenever you are looking to replace or add HVAC.  Since geothermal costs more,, you need to make your house as efficient as possible by upgrading your insulation to spray foam and adding good windows.  This will decrease the size of the geothermal unit and saze you on installation and operational costs.
   2. Solar Thermal- I like heating water with the sun since the sun’s energy is currently free.  Solar Thermal is also not dependent on insulation, windows etc.  You can upgrade to solar thermal at any time as long as you plan currently for the number for bathrooms that you have in your house and how many people will be using the water at once.

PS- Whatever you do for the winter will help lower your summer bills as well!!

For more examples on Building Performance Solutions visit Fresh World

I was working on a proposal for a client the other day and was trying show show how all of the different efficient options would have multiple benefits. For energy efficient lighting, I was hoping to make the argument that LED’s or compact fluorescents would help reduce the heating and cooling costs as well.

Not so!

I had heard the CFL’s in Canada were actually causing heating bills to go up in the winter so I was aware that lighting might have an negative effect on heating already. I did expect for it to have a greater effect on the cooling load since the HVAC system would not have to cool the house as much since the CFL’s put off less heat than halogen or incandescent bulbs. In Atlanta- we actually have more heating hours than cooling hours. So- if you replace all of your bulbs with energy efficient bulbs that put off less heat your heating and cooling cost might actually go up if you are running your heater more than your AC.

Do not use this example as a reason to not change out your light bulbs. The energy savings in operational costs for the bulbs is still much greater than the minuscule difference in your heating and cooling costs.

If you live in Miami- or any other warm weather climate that does not require that much heating- then you get to save on cooling cost for the house and you get to save on the electrical costs to make light!

Want an even better solution? Then design the house where you can use more indirect natural daylight during the summer or cooling months so you can save on lighting costs.

For more energy saving advice or options visit our parent company at Fresh World.

A few days ago I posted “Show me the (more please) money“.  Here is the result of that effort.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SOLAR INDUSTRY APPLAUDS GEORGIA PSC VOTE
Georgia Power Green Energy Program expanded to include more solar

(ATLANTA) – On Tuesday, August 4th, the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) voted unanimously to expand Georgia Power’s Green Energy Program. In June, Georgia Power notified the PSC, the current green power program and tariff had exceeded the original cap of 500kW. In an effort to address the issue, Georgia Power filed an amended tariff proposing a 200kW increase above and beyond the 500kW and limited project participation to solar projects 10kW in size or smaller. Walter Brown, Georgia Solar Energy Association (GSEA) Chair, commented “our concern with the amended filing was the chilling effect it would have and perhaps even completely discouraging commercial-scale solar projects from moving forward.”

After the amendment was filed with the PSC, GSEA partnered with the Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance (SEEA) which led the effort to educate PSC commissioners and staff about solar energy and the many benefits Georgia could realize if the proper policies were established. “Energy efficiency and solar energy are two ways monthly utility bills can be reduced,” said Ben Taube, SEEA Executive Director. “The decision by the GA PSC Commissioners in coordination with the industry and GA Power will provide the opportunity to encourage more solar in the State as well as provide a framework for larger, commercial-scale projects to move forward. SEEA applauds the leadership of each of the Commissioners that voted on the amendment and the willingness of Georgia Power to assist the solar industry.”

The PSC amendment that was unanimously supported will provide the following within the Georgia Power service territory: first increase the cap for solar electricity by 1.0 MW to a total of 1.5 MW and include both residential and commercial applications of the solar technology; and secondly the program will be reviewed in 6 months to ensure 80% of the premium being paid for by subscribers is going towards purchasing solar electricity.
“The leadership and vision demonstrated by Commissioners will encourage additional economic development, job creation, and financial investment by the solar industry here in Georgia. We will work diligently to get more customers involved in Georgia Power’s Green Energy program with the goal of making the program one of our countries most successful,” said Walter Brown.” Both GSEA and SEEA will continue working with the PSC Commissioners, Staff and Georgia Power to move solar forward in Georgia.

About the Georgia Solar Energy Association
The Georgia Solar Energy Association (GSEA) leads the statewide effort to promote the economic and environmental benefits of solar energy through education, advocacy and industry support. GSEA, a non-profit affiliated with the American Solar Energy Society, is supported by more than 140 members across the state (energy professionals and grassroots supporters) who are working together to help create a sustainable energy economy for Georgia. For more information, visit www.gasolar.org. Find GSEA on Facebook or follow on Twitter @GASolar.

About the Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance
Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance (SEEA) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that brings together businesses, utilities, governments, public utility commissions, energy service companies, manufacturers, retailers, energy and environmental organizations, low-income energy advocates, large energy consumers, and universities to promote energy-efficient policies and practices.

I guess it is funny- however it is a true story with a factual punchline.

As a GA Tech fan and I love to tell football jokes about the University of GA.  Football rivalry is great and the jokes are rampant.

Down South it is difficult for us to make fun of each other state- to- state since we are typically lagging behind the other states in most categories (besides football).  Luckily, we all have Mississippi as a fall back so we can feel better about ourselves. In Georgia’s case we have Alabama in a couple categories. Green being one of them. I knew that we were a bit progressive since we had “power and indoor plumbing”, but I thought that was just a joke!

It gets better- last year GA passed some legislation that allowed for their taxpayers to get tax credits for renewable energy items such as solar power, solar thermal and geothermal HVAC. So now GA is a green state. Go Georgia (Tech)! I went to a website that shows all of the credits across all of the states and I clicked on Alabama.

I know you all are waiting for the punchline- so here it is.  In Alabama instead of all that “fancy high tech stuff” you get a tax credit for burning wood!  Since trees grow and they are renewable that makes you eligible for a credit for a wood burning stove!  I’m sorry they call it “Wood-Burning Heating System Deduction.”  Sounds like a fire pit to me.  With the extra money that they get back on their tax return Alabama they can use it to go get their “tooth” fixed.

Here is the official site. As you can see it’s funny but it is not a “made up” joke.

Last year, I had the privilege of speaking at Greenprints, a green conference here in Atlanta, GA. The audience was very diverse and was very receptive to my presentation on sustainable renovations. This year Greenprints is focusing their attention on green cities. This is especially useful since Atlanta has adopted a green building ordinance.  Here is an expert from their website:

The Greenprints Conference and Tradeshow, a leading southeastern green building symposium, returns in 2009. Join green building professionals, policy makers and industry experts as they come together at Greenprints to share trends, strategies and the latest environmental technologies in a stimulating and interdisciplinary environment. Learn how Atlanta measures up as a sustainable city and explore smarter ways to “green” your city. Plan now to attend the region’s most acclaimed event of its kind, the Greenprints Conference and Tradeshow, hosted by the Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority and Southface, in Atlanta on March 25-26, 2009.

To register for Greenprints click here

PS- check us out at the Waterfurnace booth

My son is sitting patiently with his change as we set up an account for him.

I took my 3 year old son to the bank yesterday to set up a new bank account.  He does a great job collecting all of the loose change out of my pockets and putting it in his piggy bank.  I took him to daddy’s bank so he could deposit his $74 in change.  He had counted and rolled up the money with me and my wife.

One the one hand the new stimulus bill should have a positive affect on my business since we are green.  I am thankful for that,  however it does not feel right asking my 2 boys to pay for this stimulus package since my generation and older generations were not very good stewards of out money and environment.

I will do everything in power to leave them with enough resources to survive since they will be having to work harder and longer to support generations before them.  Not only will they have to deal with the deficit, they will have to take care of medicare, and social security which will probably implode by then or we will have to set up yet another bailout package for those programs.

Good job son for saving you change, I only hope that we can change things so you can keep your money.

No, this is not in reference to Obama’s first 100 days in office, this is my 100th post on this blog!  Somehow we managed to do this in less that 100 days.  Early on I was told to post 2-3 times/ week.  I had so much on my mind that we averaged over 1 post per day! I have had a couple guest entries, but most of it was from my head. Most of my friends read the blog just to see what is going on in my head of mine, especially how I entertain my boys with trash.

Here are some of the things that we accomplished in the “1st 100″:

• We now get thousands of hits per week
• We have many new guests that have registered to make comments- most of them pretty entertaining
• I managed to write a post worthy of Carl Seville’s comments
• We post information on green events in Atlanta so the green scene knows where to go
• We managed to capture all of the rebates and tax incentives that are available in GA for the work that we do

Thanks to the over thousand of you who come back to the site on a weekly basis.  I have been having lots of fun responding to comments and the comments sent to me directly via e-mail.  If you are new to our blog, register and start making comments.  Let me know what you are interested in so we can help enlighten you on your path to sustainable design and living.

Powered by the sun to block out the Sun

When we use the projector in our showroom we had a problem because the sun would come in through the windows and interfere with the image on the wall.  Around the same time, I was at a “green speed dating” event for builders and vendors to get 10 minutes to talk about different products.  I saw this guy with these mechanical shutters that were installed on the exterior of the house.  I thought that this would be perfect for my house so my boys would actually sleep in and not get up with the sun on the weekends!  What I didn’t know then is the the sun has nothing to to with them waking up at the crack of dawn.

Before installing them on the house, I decided to try the technology out on our Eco Showroom first.  The installation went great and we can now block out that solar glare when we are using our projector.  Since we are green, I wanted this install to be unique.  our building is pretty old and the motors need power so instead of hard wiring them, they are powered by solar collectors!  This is the first install in North America where these shutter are powered by the sun.

Here is an excerpt from a recent press release that covers the other benefits of Eco Smart Shutters: more…

This may have worked in the 70’s, however, I am not sure that when people showered together that they actually saved water.  I think that other things might have been going on besides washing.

You still have the option to take a shower with a friends today,  but your friends may be getting tired of “shower dates” to save the world.  OR- they just aren’t buying the fact that getting bare is saving the world anymore, then you could turn to water saving devices.

The EPA has created a new standard for water efficiency called Water Sense.  Participating manufacturers that meet the stringent requirements can use the Water Sense label on their product.  This verification allows consumers and builders to feel confident that they are making a difference while buying these products.

BUYER beware! Low flow does not always mean that the product performs well.  For toilets, we have done the research to make sure the the toilet is low flush, plus it actually does flush.  Did you know that toilets have flush ratings?  Many of the more popular toilets out there don’t even have a good flush rating.

Solution: We have made a new list for our Hoots Group clients that shows the flow and the performance as well!  You have low flush that will actually flush!

BUYER beware! Low flow shower heads do use less water, however we have not seen any below 1.75 gallons per minutes that actually work well.

Solution: The standard is 2.5 gallons per minute so this is still a significant reduction.  On a retrofit, if you change out you shower head from a 5 gallon per minute to a 2.5 gallon per minute you are reducing the water consumption by half.  That is just by meeting the existing code.  You can still exceed it by lowering the flow to 1.75 gallons per minute.

Buyer beware! Tankless water heaters need about .6 gallons per minute of water flow to heat the water.  make sure the you don’t reduce your water usage to a trickle or you will not even get hot water from a tankless.  So what can you still do to be green?

Solution: Go Solar!  Solar is about the same cost as a tankless water heater on a retrofit (with the rebates) and it many times more efficient.  You can have over 80% of the water the you use heated by a free energy source- the sun!

So why are we sharing the “buyer bewares?”  Going green is the right thing to do, however, we do not want you to have to sacrifice performance by going green.  This is not the PR that we need for the movement.

The good news is that there are very viable solutions.  If you live in the Atlanta area, we have already done all of the research and can add solar to your house as well as do a complete Water Sense fixture retrofit so you too can do your part to help in our current drought.

I forgot to mention- there are still some rebates here locally that are still available to help cover the cost of the Water Sense retrofit.  There is still the $4500 rebate for Solar Hot Water as well.