All Blog Posts (709)

Did you know you can test the accuracy of your equipment before you get on site? As a manufacturer, we often get tech support calls from auditors who are on site, and wondering if their equipment is providing an accurate reading. Thankfully, there is an easy way to test both your duct tester and gauge, regardless of manufacturer, before you get on site. There is, after all, nothing worse than showing up on site, and not being…

Henry Gifford, a mechanical systems designer and principal at Gifford Fuel Saving, Inc. in New York City, is suing the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) for millions of dollars. Gifford, in the class action suit, claims that the USGBC has committed fraud in the selling of its Leadership in Energy Efficient Design (LEED) program, and has unfairly kept work away from people like him who are not involved in the program. (Photo of Henry Gifford by Travis Roozee.)…

The problem faced by most property owners is that any moisture behind the walls, over ceilings, and under the floors are often impossible to detect until the problem is excessive and obviously visible. But, by then it’s too late and all damaged surfaces must now be replaced, along with the pipes that caused the damage. Small supply pipe leaks or waste line seepage's are common sources of water…

In recent years, the residential design and construction industry has experienced a dramatic transformation. Simply, in the current environment, there are many more complex decisions to be made, even more constraints, and genuine economic, environmental, cultural, and social implications to consider. In addition to micro-level demands,…

Have you noticed that there have been a lot of commercials about electric cars lately? Do you think that electric cars are really the answer to our energy issues and reliance on fossil fuels? I started to think about the process associated with electric vehicles and did some simple research. Following are some simple points to consider.



First let’s look at the manufacturing process. Vehicle parts are manufactured all over the world in…

Home Energy Pros is a great place for professionals in the home energy field to gather online. We need more communities where people committed to green homes can meet and network. This is why Green Making is building a new website that will facilitate community at the local level. We are expecting to have our site in beta testing early next year (2011). Isn’t that just around the corner?…

Last week I got the new version of REM/Rate, the accredited home energy rating software that we use here at Energy Vanguard Energy…

We are bombarded daily by advertisements selling us soft drinks, pharmaceuticals, cars, insurance, junk food, teeth whitener, diet programs, and on and on. But when was the last time someone…

In my previous journal entry, “Let’s Talk Preservation: Part 1”, I briefly touched on why Energy Star certified homes, despite their high levels of efficiency, still inflict considerable damage to the

environment.

We know that Energy Star homes reach their certification by making use of high efficiency windows, appliances, insulation, and HVAC systems. However, regardless of how little energy a new home consumes,

it still requires exceptional levels of energy to…