"We're glad to share as we can fathom the details. There is a lot we have not yet figured out how to track and quantify, especially on the behavior side. All our homes had HERS scores between 68 and 72, when built. But we did not do enough…"
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Curt Kinder
- Jacksonville, FL
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Curt Kinder's Discussions
AirGenerate Heat Pump Water Heaters - any experience?
5 Replies
I'm in sunny humid Florida and have had great luck with air source heat pump water heaters, particularly the GE models.80+% of water heaters here are in garages, so HPWH work well.Now I'm faced with…Continue
Started this discussion. Last reply by John C. Semmelhack Nov 20, 2012.
Vampire load surprise - garage door openers
68 Replies
I've been on a tear of late to eliminate or minimize standby loads. This arises from data revealing that during spring and fall, when HVAC use is minimal, standby loads comprise 25%, 5 kwh / day of…Continue
Started this discussion. Last reply by Curt Kinder Nov 9, 2012.
Curt Kinder's Page
Latest Activity
Curt Kinder replied to Danny S. Parker's discussion Phased Deep Retrofit Project in Florida"Thanks for the background info - good to hear that any clogged dryer vents were cleared. I had trouble seeing information for all houses, instead only three...perhaps a browser issue. I see more this AM.
Have you by chance correlated / seen any…"
Curt Kinder replied to Danny S. Parker's discussion Phased Deep Retrofit Project in Florida"Houses with very high clothes dryer usage may have problems with dryer exhaust air flow (lint clogs). They may also wash clothes only with cold water, which would help reduce water heating energy compared to dryer energy.
Houses with inordinate…"
Curt Kinder replied to Paul Stevens's discussion Peak Energy Saver"Likely snake oil
Sounds like yet another variation on notorious power factor correction devices"
Curt Kinder replied to Danny S. Parker's discussion Phased Deep Retrofit Project in Florida"Hi Danny,
That's an interesting study, and it parallels some of our own work.
We perform energy audits and retrofits to varying depths in the Jacksonville area. Our basic premise is that our deep retrofits can cut 50% off the energy bill of a…"
Curt Kinder replied to Home Energy Magazine's discussion Air Source Heat Pumps Question from Colorado"Need more data:
0) Compared to what?
1) Are you in Denver or somewhere nearby but at a significant altitude difference that influences microclimate?
2) Winter cost per kwh...any difference if electricity is primary heat source
3) Are we talking code…"
Curt Kinder replied to Tom Delconte's discussion Energy Myths- Fact or Fiction?"Duct systems are often already undersized badly enough without further flow reductions. I like zoning, but only when it is combined with two stage or variable capacity systems.
Heat pump efficiency drops with reduced airflow, and beyond a certain…"
Curt Kinder replied to Paul Raymer's discussion Looking for a cure for a warping hardwood floor not caused by a leak"I'm skeptical there is a humidity problem on an upper floor this time of year, but first step would be to gather data. Measure humidity. For $100 or less one can by a USB ported temperature and humidity logger.
Does the home have excessive…"
Curt Kinder replied to Nick Helmholdt's discussion Backup Power for Pump on Radiant Heat System"UPS likely has the VA but not the duration. UPS additionally may not provide power quality pump needs.
I like the idea of a standby genny sized to carry essential loads. If NG is used for all the big stuff (range, dryer, water heater, boiler), it…"
Curt Kinder replied to Thomas Varney's discussion Blower Door Testing"I do it routinely for sprayfoam projects
1ACH50 ain't your problem...you are just a scorekeeper. If the subs whose trades involve air sealing haven't built to that level of tightness, they are in for a painful process.
Obviously you…"
Curt Kinder commented on Christopher Morin's blog post Why do we have Sizing Limits?"Is there any way to set preferences for this website's forums so that newest comments appear on the bottom of the page?
I can't get used to having to read from the bottom up, and the whole thing is a complete disaster when threads extend…"
Curt Kinder replied to Doug Horgan's discussion Geothermal real-world performance"Could be...could be not.
In expensive electric markets such as the northeast, NG is likely a slam dunk for those who have it.
OTOH in cheap electricity markets, $0.08 or less, even if NG is available, Geo has a place at the table if for no other…"
Curt Kinder replied to Doug Horgan's discussion Geothermal real-world performance""I'm thinking if your unit can do the job w/o any heat strips it's on the large side relative to the load in your home."
Could be...could be not. Much depends on the climate. In some areas (south) cooling load exceeds heating…"
Curt Kinder commented on Christopher Morin's blog post Why do we have Sizing Limits?"HVAC systems need to be sized (and duct systems designed) according to what a Manual J load calc calls for, not 500, 600, 750, or 1000 SF per ton.
Glad no one was hurt too badly."
Curt Kinder replied to Barbara Smith's discussion Connected home refrigerators - are we excited? in the group Best Practices (Residential)"I'm not real jazzed about my fridge talking to anyone. I don't need it to display anything other than fridge and freezer box temperatures.
That said, Ted and Bob may be oversimplifying - though a typical fridge compressor uses 100-200…"
Profile Information
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- Greener Solutions Air
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- Engineer, HVAC Contractor
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- home energy performance contracting
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- http://greenersolutionsair.com
Comment Wall (2 comments)
- At 5:53pm on May 2, 2013, bill lazar said…
We're glad to share as we can fathom the details. There is a lot we have not yet figured out how to track and quantify, especially on the behavior side. All our homes had HERS scores between 68 and 72, when built. But we did not do enough education on how to maintain their homes.
- At 4:53am on September 8, 2012,
Diane Chojnowski said… Hi Curt,
Welcome to Home Energy Pros. Feel free to join the conversation in the Forum and Groups. And share your energy efficiency photos, videos and upcoming events. If you're blogging about home performance, this is the place for you!
Don't forget to upload your profile photo. And add your location on our Member Map.
Thanks!
Diane, HEP Moderator
Home Energy Pros
Home Energy Pros was founded by the developers of Home Energy Saver Pro (sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy, under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act) and brought to you in partnership with Home Energy magazine.
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Bud Poll replied to Bachi Brunato's discussion Boxing and Insulating Around Non-ICAT Cans"This is a topic I have discussed many times, but unfortunately cost is all too often the deciding…"
Sean Lintow Sr replied to Bachi Brunato's discussion Boxing and Insulating Around Non-ICAT Cans"If you can't talk them into replacing with IC rated...
Look into Tenmat - those are designed…"
Bachi Brunato posted a discussionBoxing and Insulating Around Non-ICAT Cans
I have a client with 16) 4" halogen recessed light fixtures in the attic.I'd like to cover the cans…See More
Dennis Heidner replied to Patrick Michaelyan's discussion Hot Upper Stories"Could you have them make a simple two line graph of the outside temperature, noting sun/clouds,…"
Bob Blanchette replied to Jose Macho's discussion Why Are Energy-Saving Home Inprovements Down??"You make some valid points, especially with the base rate charges. Increasing the base rate instead…"
Bob Blanchette replied to Jose Macho's discussion Why Are Energy-Saving Home Inprovements Down??"Amen, make energy show it's true cost instead of subsidizing it.
We have some of the lowest…"
Dennis Heidner replied to Jose Macho's discussion Why Are Energy-Saving Home Inprovements Down??"The press report really doesn't give enough information to clearly answer why they are…"
Edward Foskey commented on Edward Foskey's blog post Preparing to Update the Heat Pump"Gustavo,
Thanks for the input. I agree with you in that I will be waiting till my system's…"
Gustavo Melo commented on Edward Foskey's blog post Preparing to Update the Heat Pump"Any system that is out of warranty is really a coin toss as to whether it is financially better to…"
Dennis Heidner replied to J.C. Martel's discussion Disasters & sustainable energy"Such as Greensburg…"
Tom Delconte commented on Edward Foskey's blog post Preparing to Update the Heat Pump"Thanks, Ed, I get it now. I would just put in what my hvac guy tells me to put in: a $17,000…"
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